Does the ritual of gathering documents and navigating the complex maze of tax laws stress you out every year? You’re not alone. If you want to avoid tax season anxiety, careful planning is the best way to do so. This blog outlines multiple tips and strategies to help you streamline your process, confidently tackle tax season, and achieve peace of mind.
Clara Moses
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Topics: taxes
Do you remember those resolutions you made just a couple of months ago? It’s okay if you answered “no.” An estimated 80% of people fail to keep their New Year’s resolutions by February. If you’re one of the rare few who have been keeping up with yours until now, that’s very impressive. The majority break theirs within just a matter of days.
Topics: saving, debt management, budgeting
Year-end giving, or “Giving Season,” refers to the last two months of the year when the amount of incoming charitable donations dramatically increases. Overall, 31% of yearly charitable giving happens in December. Here are some other related facts you may not be aware of yet:
Topics: charitable giving
Do you have a hard time discussing finances? You’re not alone. This topic has historically been somewhat taboo and even though Gen Z has already significantly shifted societal conversations to be more open, for some reason many people of all generations still struggle to speak up about money.
Topics: investing, debt management, budgeting
There are all kinds of “rules for retirement” out there, but who’s setting them and why should you feel like you must follow them? A common piece of advice given to people on the verge of retirement is to downsize your home. While it’s true that this move can reduce your cost of living in several ways, that’s not the only factor to take into consideration. Here are some of the pros and cons of downsizing for retirement that you can use to inform your decision.
Topics: retirement
One pitfall of most investment accounts is that you must pay taxes any time you sell investments for a gain, or you receive dividend payments. Individual retirement accounts, or IRAs for short, are great options for those looking to defer taxes. They are primarily designed to help people without 401(k)s save for retirement, but they can also help you save on taxes.
Topics: retirement
Is It Mandatory to Sign Up for Medicare at Age 65?
When it comes to Medicare, one thing that many people agree on is that the enrollment process isn’t completely straightforward. Correct, helpful information is out there, but it’s often buried under jargon, lengthy articles, and conflicting sources. If you feel like your 65th birthday is approaching with gaining speed and you’re still confused about what exactly that entails, read this blog for answers to some of the most frequently asked Medicare questions.
Saving money is a daunting task for many people. Whether it seems like you need all your funds just to cover regular expenses or you struggle with resisting the urge to spend your extra cash, you’re not alone. According to Forbes, the U.S. personal savings rate has been falling for most of 2021 and 2022. However, considering the increases in inflation and interest rates, right now is the perfect time to focus on padding your savings for unexpected expenses. The good news is saving really does not need to be painful. If you’re going into 2023 looking for more ways to save, keep reading for 10 practical tips.
Topics: saving
Standards of Care in the Finance Industry: Fiduciary vs. Best Interest
There is a wide variety of financial professionals out there, and although there is some crossover between the responsibilities that fall under each title, one key difference is that they are not all governed by the same standards. The various titles and standards can be confusing, especially for people who have never worked with a professional before. This can make the process or finding help even more daunting for beginners who may already be hesitant about letting someone else handle their money. If you’re in that boat, look for a fiduciary financial advisor. You can confidently trust these professionals, and here’s why…
Topics: fiduciary
There are many types of financial professionals. All the titles and accreditations can be very confusing; and the last thing you want to feel when putting your finances into someone else’s hands is confusion. To put your mind at ease, we’ve created an eBook that thoroughly explains what the title “financial planner” means and why you might benefit from working with one yourself. Simply put, a financial planner is a professional who helps you assess your current situation so they can then strategize actionable ways to achieve your long-term goals.
Topics: financial planning