After being stuck in the Senate for over 6 months (thanks, as usual, Ted Cruz!), the Setting Every Citizen Up for Retirement Security, aka the SECURE act, was finally signed into law at the end of 2019. What does it mean for you? Here is a very quick summary with bonus snarky commentary:…
Yes, a recent blog was just making fun of New Year’s Resolutions. But the new year does feel like a good time to embark on fresh starts, be it health, relationships, or money. I can only help with one. Resolution #1 Ignore all economic forecasts, prognostications, tea leaf reading, crystal ball predictions and financial…
Ah, the New Year. Time to start fresh and do all the things you meant to do last year. If one of your promises is to laugh more (a good vow if ever there was one) look no further than your clever friends on Twitter. “My new year’s resolution is never to be on…
Just a quick reminder for those of you aged 70 ½ and over who are also charitably inclined: There is no better way to gift from a tax standpoint than directly out of your Traditional IRA. Why? Money that comes straight from your IRA to a 501©(3) charity never hits your income for taxes. This…
By now, your family has been cooped up together for a few days. People are getting whiny and so are the kids. You are broke from the gift giving and planning to put an extra $500/year into your 401(k) (see blog from 2 weeks ago), so you need some cheap entertainment and quickly. Here…
Attention retirement savers! For the second year in a row, the employee contribution limit to 401(k)s, 403(b)s, and 457 plans has been raised. In 2020 you will be able to put $19,500 into your retirement plan. The amount the employer matches does not count toward this maximum. The $19,500 is all you, baby! For…
What, a home cooked meal that’s easy and cheap and can save your sanity during the crazy holiday season? That’s right, your trusty financial planner to the rescue. Vegans need not read further. Main dish: (courtesy of Catherine Tidd at Social Seed Marketing): Take 1 can each of Campbell’s French Onion Soup and…
An important part of financial planning is anticipating how you will adapt to the impact of aging or disability. In 2008 the CDC estimated that 13.7% of all adults live with a mobility disability, defined as a serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs. Retrofitting one’s home with adaptive equipment or features can be expensive.…
Yep, it’s the time of year where we spend time, money, and energy to express love to those around us. Is it because Jesus says we need to do this or just the need to make ourselves nuts? Yours to say. As ever, I hope this blog offers helpful ideas. Here is a handy…
The gender pay gap. Ugh, will we never stop talking about it? Hopefully the answer is NO until the gap no longer exists. In 2019, women made $.79 for every $1.00 made by a man (a 21% gap). Oh, and women of color, you are even worse off at 26% less earnings on average…
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