Tag: Rick Brooks
Disciplined Investing in Volatile Markets
The past few weeks have been a wild ride, to be sure. With financial markets selling off and government efforts to contain the coronavirus outbreak starting to crimp both economic and personal activity, it’s very reasonable to be concerned about what will happen in the coming months. Frankly, there are about as many theories as […]
Charitable Gifting Today
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 eliminated or capped a lot of itemized deductions for most taxpayers. While deductions for charitable gifts were preserved, raising the standard deduction meant that many taxpayers lost the benefit of all but the largest donations. Here are some strategies that you can use to squeeze out the […]
I’ve Been Hacked! Now What?
These words bring a certain level of dread to most people who hear (or think them). But what can you really do if you’ve been hacked? First, it’s going to depend on just what information has been compromised and where the hack occurred. I got a call from AppleCare (or Dell or Microsoft) saying… No […]
The “R” Word: Recession
It’s been more than ten years since the end of the last recession, which is one of the reasons people have been talking about it lately. Historically, recessions come along every five to seven years, and so by that measure, we’re overdue for one. On the other hand, forecasts of when the next recession will […]
Investing In Real Estate 2: How Not To Invest In Real Estate
Last month, I discussed some of the benefits of including real estate in your investment mix. These include income, diversification and, in the case of owning property directly, some significant tax advantages for owning income properties. I also mentioned that there are some versions of real estate investing which are more attractive than others. A […]
Should I Retire in A Lower Tax State?
When considering how to plan for a comfortable retirement, taxes are a significant consideration. Taxes of all types are among the largest contributors to your cost of living during retirement, and cost of living can make the difference between a comfortable retirement and a meager one. What’s more, high state and local taxes have been […]
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 […]
Keeping Track of Multiple IRAs
Besides losing weight and getting in shape, one of the more common New Years’ resolutions is getting organized. It’s also one of the first steps in the financial planning process because it makes keeping on top of your finances a lot easier. Nowhere is that more important than with your retirement savings. This is because […]
Creating Your Best Retirement Isn’t All About Money
A 2014 study of retirees done by Merrill Lynch and Age Wave led to the following conclusion: “Retirees say health is the number one ingredient for a happy retirement.” Financial security, family and purpose were all important, but health was tops. And this makes perfect sense, as good health leads to living longer, having more […]
Common IRA Mistakes in Retirement and How to Avoid Them
The most common IRA mistakes made in retirement are easy to avoid. Most come from not understanding the complex rules surrounding Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). Others come from trying to game those rules to avoid paying taxes. As tempting as it might be to try to avoid paying taxes on retirement savings distributions, breaking the […]
