So, to keep you from panic-buying the most expensive, yet thoughtless, gifts in desperation, here is my annual reminder – along with some cool gift ideas: Get to planning and executing on your holiday shopping list NOW! Personal, unexpected gift ideas that don’t break the bank: Paid content for 6-12 months to your recipient’s favorite…
Short blog today – everyone’s favorite! I was Today Years Old when I learned about these factoids related to Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) from IRAs. As a reminder, QCDs allow people aged 70 ½ and older to gift money from their tax-deferred IRAs directly to charity (501(c)(3)s only please – not your charity-case loser great-nephew)…
Looking for an easy, cheap Halloween costume that will make you look hip to 2025 culture at the neighborhood soiree? I’ve got you covered! Elphaba (Wicked Witch) from the movie “Wicked”—just add a green top, black skirt, and witch hat. 8 hours of green make-up not required. You aren’t really Cynthia Erivo, so relax. …
I can’t believe how this year has flown. Already, we are starting to look back at 2025 and pundits are trying to predict how the year will end up in the stock market. As always, I provide this list as just a, “huh, that’s interesting,” blog. Not as advice to pile in or panic-sell out…
How inconvenient that so many tax deadlines occur at year-end. What you really want to be doing is shopping, egg-nogging, New-Year’s-Eve-smooching, and wearing ugly holiday sweaters while watching football. So, what are some things you can do now, to avoid the crunch of December 31st money tasks? Execute your charitable gifting plans. There is no…
Remember the excitement of back-to-school season? New clothes, Trapper Keepers, and the chance to break out of your previous nerd persona? It never really worked for me, but there was always the dream. Why not recreate that feeling as an adult? They say September is the Other New Year – a chance to dust of…
Wait, is Kristi telling me I shouldn’t donate money to help others? Never! I love charitable gifting and helping clients feel comfortable donating to non-profits. However, often writing a check is the least beneficial to the donor for tax savings. Consider these methods first: Donating Long-Term Appreciated Assets Gifts of long-term appreciated stocks, bonds, or…
An element of retirement income planning that never ceases to confuse is taxes. Accounting for your tax bill as a retirement expense is important. Over-or-under estimating the cost can lead to errors in a retiree’s monthly spending targets. The biggest misconception is that your marginal tax bracket is the amount you pay on all of…
When I have a captive audience of young adults, I like to ask them what concerns them about their personal financial situation. The number one answer (consider this unscientific anec-data) is how to afford a first time home purchase. First, the problem (hint, it’s NOT avocado toast) High home prices and elevated interest rates Incomes…
I am a fan of (at least considering using) reverse mortgages. Although there is some controversy from the old days where the product lacked current consumer protection, the new world of reverse mortgage is worth looking at. Nationwide data indicates that home equity can account for 50% or more of total net worth for many households…
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