Tis the Season for Tax-Friendly Giving Strategies

With so many nonprofit organizations seeking financial support, you may want to direct your money where it can do the most good and consider a more strategic approach to charitable giving, possibly as part of your year-end tax planning

2022 Year-End Tax Tips

Here are some things to consider as you weigh potential tax moves between now and the end of the year.

What is a Sustainable Withdrawal Rate?

You may have heard us talk about “The 4% Rule”, or the “5% Rule” when we discuss withdrawing from your investment accounts. How do we determine what a sustainable withdrawal rate is and how much can you plan to safely withdraw.

New Cancellation for Federal Student Loans and Delayed Repayment to 2023

The new plan will cancel $10,000 in federal student loan debt for individual borrowers whose income is below $125,000 ($250,000 for married couples) in 2020 or 2021, plus another $10,000 for Pell Grant recipients.

Inflation Reduction Act: What You Should Know

Inflation Reduction Act includes healthcare & energy items, a new corporate alternative minimum tax, & an excise tax on certain corporate repurchases of stock. Significant issues on Medicare, Health Insurance, & Tax Credits outlined here.

The Bright Side

Change over time is normal and even expected, but sudden deviations can be difficult to process.  Today, our lens often tilts to the negative and we have a hard time seeing the positive. We may just need to shift our view a bit.

What are I Bonds?

What are I Bonds? Series I Savings Bonds are U.S. Savings bonds that are meant to be used as a protection from inflation. How to buy I Bonds I Bonds are purchased directly through the U.S. Treasury. Purchase limits of $10,000/person/year.

How to Buy I Bonds Direct from the Treasury

Tax Planning Help

Did you know that we regularly assess your entire financial situation and consider tax strategies that may be right for you throughout the year and not just at tax time? Here are a few things to consider before filing your 2021 tax return.

Are Capital Gains Taxes Changing?

There are a lot of questions about President Biden’s Build Back Better plan and potential tax law changes, including an adjustment to capital gains taxes.One of the proposals Congress is considering sets the top rate for taxing...

Sanity in two minutes or less

Not long ago, the mere mention of meditation to me would have conjured kumbaya-like images of contorting the body into awkward positions to attain some elusive state of Zen for hours on end. Oh, I’d heard the miraculous claims....

“The Talk”

End-of-Life Instructions Healthcare professionals are often very candid about conveying their wishes for end-of-life care. They’ve seen patients’ quality of life suffer and families anguish trying to make decisions for...

Staying in Scoring Position

Athletes have a seemingly innate ability to maintain balance. It’s been fun to watch our local Utah Jazz put together a phenomenal start to the season. Watching them drive in the lane, contort their bodies to maintain balance and...

ESG - Investments Making an Impact

You may have heard of Socially Responsible Investing (SRI), Sustainable Investments or Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) funds. But, what exactly are these? These terms are often interchangeable and have grown from what was an...

American Rescue Plan Act Provides Relief to Individuals and Businesses

On Thursday, March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA 2021) was signed into law. This is a $1.9 trillion emergency relief package that includes payments to individuals and funding for federal programs, vaccines and...

Changing Jobs, Changing Times

Recently, Jeff Bezos, one of the wealthiest people in the world, announced he would take a different role at his company. Corporate moves make the news all the time, but for the largest companies, the story can jump from the business...

Consolidated Appropriations Act Provides Relief to Individuals and Businesses

Consolidated Appropriations Act Provides Relief to Individuals and Businesses On Sunday, December 27, 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA 2021) was signed into law. A $900 billion emergency relief package is included...

Get The Bike That Makes You Want To Ride

Get The Bike That Makes You Want To Ride Many years ago we moved into a new house and started becoming friends with our neighbors. They were pretty serious about road biking, so I pulled my old bike out of the garage and started...

Your Next Big Purchase

“Hey honey, the leaves are changing colors and I can’t handle one more minute of the news. Let’s go for a hike.” There’s a chill in the air so you swing through the drive-through coffee shack on the...

Getting Back in the Saddle

How would you complete this sentence? If only ______, than I would ____. I thought I needed the perfect scenario too, but really I just needed the right support people. And the longer we wait to get back in the saddle, the harder it is...

Is it Tuesday? Or Wednesday?

As we all start venturing out from the past few months of quarantine, we want to help you identify, prioritize, and prepare for your “new normal,” by sharing some of what we have learned in the piece below, as well as some...

LifeStyle Newsletter - Coping with Pandemic Stress

If your stress and anxiety levels are reaching a breaking point, you’re not alone. A recent Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) poll found 45 percent of adults in the United States are feeling worry and stress related to the coronavirus....

Holiday Greeting - Happy Birthday, America!

2020 is destined to become an indelible chapter in American history. In just six months, we have suffered a pandemic, encountered economic and financial disruption, and tackled civil justice issues. After all that, we deserve a...

Has the Economy Begun to Recover?

As coronavirus restrictions ease and businesses reopen, the American economy should gain steam. Data released in May and June, including employment, payroll, and manufacturing numbers, suggested the economy may have hit bottom in April...

Holiday Greeting - It’s Dad’s Day!

Break out the socks and neckties! It’s time to celebrate your dad. See what you know about Father’s Day by taking this quick trivia quiz: 1. When is Father’s Day in the United States? a. Second Sunday in Mayb. Third Sunday in Junec....

Life and Finances in a Pandemic World

Life as we know it has changed dramatically during 2020. As the coronavirus spread across the United States, cities and states issued shelter-in-place orders to slow the spread of the coronavirus and prevent healthcare facilities from...

Holiday Greeting - Showing Gratitude on Memorial Day

At 3:00 p.m. local time on Monday, May 25, 2020, the National Moment of Remembrance takes place by silently thanking the men and women of the United States military who gave their lives for our country.1 Originally, Memorial Day was...

Holiday Greeting - Moms are Priceless

Whether they stay at home or work for a company, moms rarely have just one job. They’re event planners, coaches, interior designers, chefs, art directors, judges (and juries), housekeepers, maintenance supervisors, network...

Watch Out for Coronavirus Scams

Fraudsters and scam artists are always looking for new ways to prey on consumers. Now they are using the same tactics to take advantage of consumers' heightened financial and health concerns over the coronavirus pandemic. Federal,...

Resources to Help You Through the Coronavirus Crisis

If you have ever been flattened by a rogue wave while fishing or sunbathing on the shore, you probably recognize the emotional responses that have accompanied the pandemic wave crashing across the United States – shock, anxiety, and...

5 Other Ways the CARES Act May Help You

On Friday, March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law. This $2 trillion emergency relief package is intended to assist individuals and businesses during the ongoing coronavirus...

FINANCIAL HELP DURING COVID-19 CRISIS

The temporary closing of non-essential businesses, shelter-in-place orders, and other changes that have come with efforts to keep COVID-19 from overwhelming hospital and healthcare facilities are creating economic challenges for many...

Wow, that was REALLY FAST!

Wow, that was REALLY FAST The extreme stock market volatility and unbelievable news headlines from around the world accelerated this past week. This week alone has already seen TWO of the largest drops in the Dow Jones Industrial...

Holiday Greeting - A Celebration of Irish Culture on St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day is a day of unity. In the past, St. Patrick was celebrated by Irish Protestants and Irish Catholics. As it has been said, everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day. See what you know about this celebration of Irish...

The Coronavirus Correction

In late February, concern that efforts to contain Coronavirus Disease 2019 (a.k.a. COVID-19) might result in slower global economic growth disrupted global markets. Share prices fell as economists and financial analysts revised growth...

LifeStyle Newsletter - Coronavirus 101: The Basics

The coronavirus, which is now officially called Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), has received a lot of attention. Since the outbreak began in China, late in 2019, the disease and efforts to understand and manage it have made...

Wow, That was Fast!

Wow, That Was Fast There’s an old saying I always remembered at times like this… “When the market goes up, it takes the stairs. When it goes down, it takes the elevator.” The market declines of the past several...

The SECURE Act Changed Retirement, Estate, and College Plans

There was a little something for everyone in the ‘Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement’ (SECURE) Act, a piece of bipartisan legislation that was attached to the United States federal spending bill and signed into law...

Holiday Greeting - The Changing Soundtrack of Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day and love songs go hand-in-hand. If you’re looking for a way to show love and appreciation, consider sharing some of the most popular love songs of all time. Here are a few of the most popular, according to Billboard...

Where is Your Best Place to Retire?

The best place to retire in the United States is in dispute. There’s no formal debate, but a review of reliable publications showed surveys have named different states and cities as the “best” place to retire. For instance: • Iowa was...

Holiday Greeting - Hang On to Your Optimism!

In 2019, a Pew Research Center survey reported many Americans were pessimistic about the future. Their worries included the national debt, the gap between the rich and the poor, and automation.1 Martin Luther King was sometimes...

LifeStyle Newsletter - Do You Know What Your Smartphone Can Do?

Since 2011, the number of Americans owning smartphones has increased from 35 percent to 81 percent, although there remains a significant digital divide, demographically. A Pew Research survey found the vast majority of younger...

Retirement: You’ve Got This!

Not everyone is financially prepared for retirement. Earlier this year, the Employee Benefit Research Institute estimated almost 41 percent of American households will run short of money in retirement. That’s an improvement over 2014...

Holiday Greeting - Celebrate the New Year Your Way

If you’re not fond of New Year’s resolutions, then start or adopt new traditions that help get the year off to a positive start. Your new tradition should be something you can repeat each year with family and friends. Here are a few...

New Spending Package Includes Sweeping Retirement Plan Changes

The $1.4 trillion spending package enacted on December 20, 2019, included the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act, which had overwhelmingly passed the House of Representatives in the spring of 2019, but...

Holiday Greeting - Wishing Joy and Laughter this Holiday Season

No matter what holiday you celebrate, we hope it’s filled with joy, laughter, and heartfelt happiness. That said, we know holiday cheer can be overwhelmed by the pursuit of perfection and opinions of relatives. Just in case your...

2019 Year-End Tax Planning

2019 Year-End Tax Planning Consult with your tax professional to evaluate what steps may be taken now to optimize your tax situation and to see if any of the suggestions below are appropriate for you for this and future tax years....

What’s the Best Gift this Holiday Season?

You’ve probably never asked your adult children and younger relatives whether they have security software on their computers and devices. Why would you? They’re digital natives, born with keyboards under their fingertips.It may be time...

Holiday Greeting - What Are You Thankful For?

Thanksgiving is all about gratitude. In 1621, the Plymouth colonists shared an autumn feast with the Wampanoag Indians. They were celebrating survival and friendship. It’s also a poignant story.1About one-half of the passengers who...

Holiday Greeting - What Do You Know About Veterans Day?

After World War I, many nations celebrated the end of “The Great War” by establishing Armistice Day. Eventually, the holiday was broadened to celebrate those who served in all wars. In the United States after World War II and the...

Does Your Company Offer a Retirement Plan?

One of the most discussed topics in the United States is retirement security. Few Americans have set aside enough savings to live comfortably throughout retirement. In fact, the most recent National Retirement Risk Index (NRRI)*...

Holiday Greeting - Save Money with a Green Halloween!

Americans expect to spend $8.8 billion on costumes, decorations, candy, and other Halloween purchases, according to the National Retail Federation.1That’s enough money to purchase the New England Patriots ($3.8 billion), the Los...

LifeStyle Newsletter - The Secret Life of Data

What data about you is most important?The data that identity thieves are after – social security, credit card, and bank account numbers – is important, as well as more basic data which is being collected by companies whose devices you...

Will There Be A Recession?

The simple answer is probably.Historically, the American economy has grown in fits and starts, otherwise known as recessions and expansions. As a result, it is likely there will be another recession in the United States.What are...

Unused Vacation Days Can Be Costly

Would you give up a share of $62 billion?Would you give up a share of $62 billion?If your answer is no, then you may be a member of the relatively small group of Americans (36 percent) that takes all of the vacation days available to...

Holiday Greeting - Labor Day is an Important Day

Just over 100 years ago, Americans typically worked physically demanding jobs. Adults toiled 12 hours a day, seven days a week for low wages. Americans did not take lunch breaks. They did not get sick days or vacations. They were not...

Protect Yourself in a Smart and Connected World

The world is becoming smarter and more connected all the time – and that has serious implications for people who want to protect their personal data and their privacy. If you’ve been enjoying the convenience of smart utilities and...

Lifestyle Newsletter - A Prescription for Dementia Prevention

A Prescription for Dementia Prevention If you’ve ever played a party game that asks you to make difficult decisions, you may have run into a question like this one: Would you rather enjoy good physical health all of your life or good...

Life, Liberty, and Tax-Advantaged Investing

Life, Liberty, and Tax-Advantaged InvestingAmericans are passionate about taxes. We have reason to be. In recent years, Americans have spent more on taxes than on food, clothing, and housing combined.1 The Tax Foundation estimates...

Summertime...and the Memories are Waiting

Time has a way of sneaking up on us. Spring fades to summer, then in a blink you can’t remember where the time went. When you look back on 2019, what would have made this the best summer yet? Make the most of the sunny days in 3 easy steps.

Holiday Greeting - Collect the Best Recipes for Dads’ Cook Book

Most dads have at least one recipe they like to cook for family and friends. Some have dozens. This year, celebrate Father’s Day by collecting the recipes from the men in your family. Bring a notebook to your next family celebration...

Where There’s a Will, There’s a Plan

Throughout history people have made inheritance choices that are inexplicable to others. In 1926, Harry Houdini left his magical equipment to his brother, his pulled-from-the-hat rabbits to the children of friends, and a series of...

Holiday Greeting - Memorial Day Quiz

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance. It’s the time when we pay our respects to the men and women who died fighting for our country. See what you know about this important holiday by taking our Memorial Day quiz.1. What did the...

Holiday Greeting - Moms are Unique

Moms are like snowflakes. No two are exactly alike. So, when you’re thinking about what to give your mom for Mother’s Day, consider a gift that is as unique as she is -- share your memories with her. Here are some prompts to get you...

Finding the ‘Goldilocks’ Retirement Plan

Where do you set aside the money you’re saving for retirement? If you’re like many Americans, you save for retirement primarily through an employer’s retirement plan, according to Pew Research.1Unfortunately, less than one-half of...

LifeStyle News - Sleep: More Elusive as We Get Older

If someone tells you older people need less sleep than younger people do, don’t believe it. Older Americans need about eight hours of sleep, just like everybody else. What’s different is quality sleep is harder to come by as you age....

How Will Rising Healthcare Costs Affect Your Retirement?

It’s no secret healthcare costs are going up. Medical expenses have been steadily increasing for years. In 2007, costs were up almost 12 percent. However, the rate of increase slowed to 6 percent during the past five years and that...

Holiday Greeting - Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day

On St. Patrick’s Day, it’s okay to celebrate even if you’re not Irish. St. Patrick himself wasn’t Irish. As we celebrate, we would like to share some of our favorite facts and tidbits about St. Patrick’s Day:1 • St. Patrick’s Day is an...

Welcoming a beautiful baby girl!

Help us congratulate Barry Watson and family, as they recently welcomed a beautiful new baby girl!

Baby Boomers and Digital Assets

How many password-protected accounts do you have?If you keep mental inventory, use a password manager, or have a written record of your passwords (which is not recommended by anyone), take a quick count. You’re likely to find you may...

Holiday Greeting - Valentine’s Day Spending

Valentine’s Day means different things to different people. Some welcome Valentine’s Day as a time for romance, while others see it as an opportunity to cherish friends and family. No matter how it’s celebrated, Valentine’s Day...

Tax Efficient Charitable Giving

Charitable gifting is important to many of our clients, and while taxes shouldn’t be the main consideration when giving, some strategies may help reduce your tax bill more than others.

Make Sure Your Smart Home is Safe from Cyber Attack

Whether you own a house or rent an apartment, building a smart home is easier than it has ever been. Homeowners and renters can purchase kits that integrate specific smart items or they can select smart home products, such as light...

Holiday Greeting - A Day On, Not a Day Off

In 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed legislation establishing the third Monday of January as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.1 Dr. King, who is remembered for his powerful oratory and transformative ideas, once said, “Life’s most...

Just Another Member of the Family

Bella. Coco. Charlie. Lucy. Max. No matter the name, many pets are considered to be members of the family, providing companionship, protection, and unconditional love. The pet-owner relationship has some powerful benefits, which may...

Tax Season is Here Again

It’s only January, but you may want to jumpstart your 2018 taxes since there are a slew of new regulations that may affect you. The Tax Cut and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017 goes into effect this year so make sure you understand how tax...

Holiday Greeting - How to Keep a New Year's Resolution

Eat healthier. Get more exercise. Save more money. Those were the top New Year's resolutions for 2018, according to Statista.1 Few people achieved them. One of the reasons so few resolutions become reality is because people tend to...

Holiday Greeting - Fill Your Holidays with Happiness

Holidays can be joyful and a little stressful. Here are a few ways to bring a moment of happiness into your life and the lives of those around you:1 • Take time to call an old friend.• Buy coffee for a stranger.• Briefly chat with your...

Are Volatile Stock Markets Good for Investors?

When the ups and downs of stock markets leave you stressed and wondering whether stocks really will help you pursue your long-term financial goals, there are two things to remember:1. Historically, over long periods, stocks have tended...

Are Volatile Stock Markets Good for Investors?

When the ups and downs of stock markets leave you stressed and wondering whether stocks really will help you pursue your long-term financial goals, there are two things to remember:1. Historically, over long periods, stocks have tended...

Holiday Greeting - Thanksgiving: A True American Holiday

Thanksgiving is a true American holiday. It celebrates generosity and gratitude, and it recognizes the relationships that helped colonists who arrived on the Mayflower in 1620 survive beyond their first winter. History.com explained:1...

Holiday Greeting - Gratitude for Our Veterans

There are more than 20 million veterans living across the United States. These men and women fought in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, the Iraq War, the War in Afghanistan, which continues today, and many...

Should Parents Pay for College Tuition?

It’s a pricey question.It’s a pricey question.College Board estimated the average cost for full-time, in-state students who live on campus at four-year public colleges or universities during the 2017-18 school year is $25,290...

Holiday Greeting - Halloween Jokes for Children

If trick-or-treating in your neighborhood requires a trick to get a treat, your little ghosts and goblins will need some short and easy-to-remember options. Here are a few that were recommended by Reader’s Digest:1• What has hundreds...

LifeStyle Newsletter - Just Give Me that Countryside…

Remember the television classic, Green Acres? Eddie Albert, who portrayed a New York City lawyer, and Eva Gabor, who portrayed his sophisticated spouse, move from the big city to the country – and it’s not quite what they expected...

Women and the Retirement Crisis

Here’s a number that will knock your socks off: $400 trillion.1By 2050, the retirement savings shortfall in eight of the world’s largest economies is expected to reach $400 trillion, according to estimates from the World Economic Forum...

Holiday Greeting - Labor Day and Labor Unions

Labor Day is set aside to celebrate the social and economic achievements of American workers. It was proposed as a holiday by Matthew Maguire in 1882 while he served as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York, NY. The labor...

Can Social Security Benefits Help with Longevity Risk?

How long will you live? How long will you live? It’s not a question anyone can answer with any certainty, and that creates a significant risk when planning for retirement. Your retirement may last for a long time, and you will need to...

Ready, Set, Trade War?

In recent years, investors have largely ignored geopolitical risks. Russia’s invasion of the Crimean Peninsula, the Brits’ vote to leave the European Union (EU), unrest in the Middle East, and other global events have not affected...

LifeStyle Newsletter - Are You a Subscriber?

In the olden days, the word ‘subscription’ typically was applied to just magazines and newspapers. Today, that’s not the case. Americans are buying everything from meal kits to baby products to vitamins by subscription. A McKinsey &...

Holiday Greeting - Out of Revolution a New Nation was Born

On July 4, 1776, the American colonies banded together and declared independence from Great Britain. The countries had been at war for more than a year due to a number of issues, particularly in regards to harsh taxation and a lack of...

What Happens When the Well Runs Dry?

To the relief of many South Africans, Day Zero has been pushed back to 2019. Day Zero is the date on which Cape Town will run out of water, and its four million residents will begin to collect daily water rations of about seven gallons...

Holiday Greeting - Make It All About Dad

There are many perceived requirements of being a dad. “One of the jobs of a good dad is to help kids become a little tougher, a little more resilient, a little more separate…dads push kids to leave the nest; they brush off the dirt...

How to Prepare for a Changing Bond Market

The words ‘bear market’ have been bandied about a lot lately. When you read or hear them, remember to respond the same way you would if you saw an actual bear in the woods – by staying calm and keeping your wits about you. A changing...

Holiday Greeting - Mindfulness and Memorial Day

If you’ve ever composed a grocery list in your head while driving carpool and listening to your children discuss who got in trouble at school and why, then you know what it’s like to have your attention divided. If you’ve ever worked...

LifeStyle Newsletter - Life in the Future

Technology is a life changer. GPS has improved interpersonal relations by eliminating arguments about asking for directions. Apps for car services, food delivery, video streaming, news media, and social media have changed the way we...

Home is Wherever You Make It

“There’s no place like home.”1Conjuring an image of ‘home’ was a lot easier for Dorothy than it is for people who are on the cusp of retirement. After all, isn’t retirement supposed to be a new start? Aren’t retirees supposed to wave...

Holiday Greeting - St. Patrick and the Irish

It’s almost time to don green and gold. That’s right, March 17 is upon us. There’s more to the holiday, however, than eating corned beef and cabbage and celebrating the Irish. For instance, St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland,...

Two Ideas Worth Thinking About When Markets are Moving

Here’s a number most people would like to see on an annual statement: 21.6 percent. That was the annual return for the Standard & Poor (S&P) 500 Index during 2017. In general, U.S. stock indices did quite well last year – and the year...

Is the Market Too High? What should I do?

Investors have really enjoyed the market gains of the last 15 months, but the recent market volatility is also providing anxiety for some valid and obvious reasons. Below are a few common questions we’re getting… Is the...

Holiday Greeting - It’s Almost Valentine’s Day

If you’re looking for a gift that will express your love better than chocolates or a bouquet of flowers, don’t fret. Trendhunter.com has some innovative and unconventional suggestions:• Literary love tattoos. Perhaps, you’d like Rainer...

What Makes You Happy? - Let's Align Your Plan

Finding a work/fun balance can be difficult and money is just a tool for enjoyment. Aligning your financial plan with your passions encourages meaningful spending by aligning your goals and values, with what brings you true happiness.

It’s Almost All Hallows’ Eve!

People of a certain age will remember ‘It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.’ The animated television special debuted in 1966,1 way back when there were only a few channels and you had to get out of your seat to...

Digital Deception - The Equifax Breach & Cyber Security

The data breach recently announced by Equifax reminds us that staying up-to-date about cyber security vulnerabilities and available protection options is critical if digital communication is an integral part of your life. Private...

Insurance Check-Up

Personally, when I hear the word “insurance”, red alarms start going off in my head and my internal defense shields go up immediately. All I can think is, “No thank you.” Rest assured, this is not a sales pitch...