Ever since the Global Financial Crisis of 2008, the US Federal Reserve kept interest rates at nearly 0% to stimulate the economy. As a result, safe money (cash you held for emergency funds or short-term needs) earned no interest whether that money was in a checking account, savings account, or money market fund. For so…
I’m trying to think of an expression, like “counting your chickens before the eggs hatch” that applies to considering inheritance as part of your financial plan. Or maybe, with egg prices what they are, we are just hoping to inherit a healthy chicken coop. Anyway, a topic of conversation that often comes up in planning…
This month, I’m pleased to feature the expertise of my friend and Realtor, Renee Cohen. Renee and I started our businesses around the same time, and I’ve always enjoyed exchanging ideas about growing our firms, serving clients, and the state of the economy. Recently, Renee added a certification to help divorcing clients with their real…
Ask my lovely CPA, I am NOT a tax expert. But, looking at the most common tax filing mistakes, a lot of these seem like clerical errors rather than complex tax decisions. Read on to save yourself some headaches after tax season. Inaccurate Personal Information: One of the most frequent errors is entering incorrect…
Well, maybe not in love (see Romeo, Juliet, etc.) but according to – gasp! – both parties in Congress and former President Joe Biden, Social Security is getting a little fairer this year. The Social Security Fairness Act, signed into law by President Biden on January 5, 2025, ends the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and…
If people are going to panic about impending tax changes, I feel it’s more productive to know WHAT you are panicking about. Herewith, is a list of some of the changes that would happen if the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is allowed to sunset (as originally planned and signed into law) in 2026. Below…
Forget about your Fan Duel bets on who will win the Stanley Cup. In 2025, the question with real money implications (think billions) is whether or not the new administration and Congress will extend the provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act past 2026. Arguments for allowing the TCJA to sunset: Deficit reduction:…
In these dark cold days of February, how can you give yourself a quick style lift and still have plenty of money to save for Junior’s college? Fear not, I have tapped Dana Lynch, personal stylist, image consultant, and founder of elementsofimage.com, to give us practical winter fashion ideas. KS: What are some winter…
Not sure if I’ve mentioned it in this blog, but I love to ski. As a naturally uncoordinated, slow person (no, I did NOT play basketball/volleyball/competitive swimming despite being almost 6 feet tall), skiing is the only sport I’ve ever even remotely looked good doing. For fellow skiers, have a laugh while thinking about your…
Do you have fears that keep you from moving forward with your life goals? I do! I have a fear of asking businesses for donations and sponsorships for fundraisers. This stresses me out since I find myself serving on many non-profit boards where that is the principal activity. What to do to get over my…
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