Tag: Blankinship & Foster
Financial Planning: A Case Study
If you think financial planning is only for the rich, think again. People from all walks of life can benefit greatly from planning their finances. A recent situation I was involved in demonstrates how a long-term approach is critical, and how you need to be careful where you are getting your financial advice. Some family […]
On Valentines Day, Give your Spouse the Gift of Security
Valentine’s Day is the third-largest consumer holiday in the U.S., with about 19 billion dollars spent in Cupid’s name each year. It’s big business for florists and chocolatiers, with over four billion dollars spent per year on flowers and candy alone. Flowers and candy are great, don’t get me wrong, but as a gift for […]
The Two Best Tools for Understanding Your Finances
Have you ever looked at an empty toolbox and wondered what should be in there? What are the fundamental tools that a craftsman absolutely must have? For financial planners, two of the most important tools are a person’s balance sheet and cash flow statement. A quick review of these two documents can tell a lot […]
Costly 401(k) Mistakes That Could Wipe Out Your Retirement Plan
We were recently asked to help someone who had a very unusual problem with her 401(k). While the combination of problems was unusual, the situation illustrated several common mistakes people make. In this case the combination of mistakes compounded into a nightmare. Hopefully, after reading this article, you’ll be able to avoid that result. Here’s […]
Estate Planning Is More than Just a Will
Not too long ago, I wrote about the most basic estate-planning tool: your will. If you have children, or really anyone whom you wish to benefit at your death, your will is the most essential foundation for putting your affairs in order after you’re gone. However, “after you’re gone” isn’t the only scenario your estate […]
Clearing Out Your Old 401(k)
When changing jobs or retiring, one important decision you will face is whether to roll over your employer’s retirement plan (401k, 403b, pension, SIMPLE or SEP IRA, etc.) to an IRA. Before you leave your employer, there are a couple of things you need to be aware of. Below are some questions to ask, and […]
The Debate Over A Fiduciary Standard
Back in April of this year, the Department of Labor (DOL) issued a proposed rule that would require investment advisors to retirement plans to follow a Fiduciary Standard. The proposed rule has sparked a fierce debate in the industry, as brokers who do not want to be held to this standard argue that the new […]
Retirement Accounts: Trusts as Beneficiaries
I hope you’ve enjoyed the holidays. As we ring in the New Year and start our client review cycle, one of the things that we do for our clients is to review the beneficiary designations of their retirement accounts (pensions, IRAs, etc.). This is important because the beneficiary designations that you elect control who gets […]
Tax Efficient Charitable Giving
A couple of months ago, I wrote about having a charitable giving plan, and how that can allow people to be strategic about their charitable gifts. As tax rates have been on the rise lately, many people have been looking for ways to reduce their income tax bill while benefitting the community. The whole point […]
