This last checklist post is during some of my favorite months in the year! Fall and winter are a time for hot chocolate, chopping wood, and plenty of time with the sun down to get your financial ducks in a row. (NOTE: If you are one to procrastinate then I would suggest reading my previous
Author: Stephen Boatman
Stephen has been investing for over 10 years and has always had a passion for helping others understand money and teaching them how their hard earned assets can be leveraged to meet their financial goals. Stephen has understood how wealth management and financial planning can change lives ever since he was in his teenage years thanks to his parents ensuring he was well versed in the topic. Within this realization, he discovered his purpose: making a positive difference in the lives he is surrounded by and the financial industry he works in.
NUA… What is Net Unrealized Appreciation
How Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA) Should Be Used Do you own company stock within your 401(k)? Wouldn’t it be great if you could drastically lower your tax rate on this portion of your 401(k)? If that were possible, this tax rate transfer could lower your taxes up to 20%. It sounds great, but, how is
Tactics to Use When Applying for Financial Aid
If a student isn’t going the military, technical school, or community college route, then I would suggest that now is a good time to plan for upcoming college costs. Whether we are using scholarships, loans, or financial aid, there’s typically money hiding somewhere, if we look hard enough. Higher learning expenses go far beyond tuition
The Social Security Formula
Currently, 1 out of 4 Americans over age 65 count on Social Security (SS) for 90% or more of their income. And since an individual’s lifetime Social Security benefit can often total more than $1 million, it is worth considering variables that can alter this value. Beyond the obvious (make more money), individuals can delay
What’s a 529 ABLE Account?
Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) accounts are meant to provide tax savings when covering certain living expenses for people who are mentally or physically disabled prior to age 26. ABLE accounts began late in 2014 and have not yet become well known in the community or among many advisers I talk with. In an ABLE
Disclosure
The materials and articles found here are the opinions of the authors. Information is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. You should consult with your professional regarding your situation. Although we conduct due diligence on the materials and information, Smith Partners Wealth Management may be unable to verify the content.
Small Business Retirement Plans
One benefit to being a small business owner is access to more retirement accounts than the typical 401k, IRA, and Roth IRA. While there are many options the three most attractive are the SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA and Solo 401k. These three plans provide business owners a way to save more while providing a valuable
Annual Financial Checklist (May through August)
This is the second in our three part Annual Financial Checklist series. While not exhaustive, it will help you to continue to think proactively about stacking the odds for financial success in your favor. See our previous “January through April Checklist” for more ideas. May Look into College Scholarships: If you have a child in
4 Myths About Roth IRAs
“Is a Roth IRA right for me?” is a simple question with a complex answer. Even worse, myths and misconceptions surrounding Roth IRAs make them seem more complicated than they are. We’ll address the four most common rules covering withdrawals, contribution limits, home purchases, and taxes. Even if these rules don’t apply to you, it’s
Life Lessons: Mr. Early Achiever
I’ve never enjoyed waiting for things. Patience is a muscle I’ve had to exercise and strengthen, whether I’ve wanted to or not. Ironically, one of the hardest things to wait patiently for is “experience.” Of course, always looking for a more efficient way, I wondered if I could gather up others’ experiences and learn from