Everyone eventually runs out of “tomorrows." Hopefully, your appointment to update your estate documents is scheduled for today. Passing away without proper estate planning and up-to-date documents can be a nightmare on top of a nightmare for your loved ones.
Don’t let a legal mess be the last thing your family remembers about you. Planning for your eventual demise is about as much fun as a root canal. However, careful planning and current documentation are a great gift when the time comes.
Roth IRA conversions are a valuable tool in long-term tax planning. This method might save you tens of thousands of dollars or more on your taxes. But is there a best time of year to complete Roth conversions?
You must consider many variables to determine what’s best for you. Life happens, and your tax-saving strategies must be adjusted accordingly. This is why we typically evaluate and complete Roth conversions annually.
No matter who you are, investing is always a smart move. Whether you’re saving for retirement or trying to grow your personal wealth, you need to take advantage of investment opportunities. However, while your money can grow tax-deferred, what happens when you withdraw it?
In most cases, you will have to pay taxes on capital gains in your taxable (non-retirement) accounts. Fortunately, if you wait until the right moment, you can reduce your tax burden. In some cases, you might be able to save thousands or tens of thousands of dollars.
One of the biggest challenges to overcome when investing is trying to minimize your tax liability. Capital gains taxes can take a significant chunk of your gains if you're not careful. This is why you need to understand various tax strategies e to minimize your tax liability.
Although it may seem a bit counterintuitive at first, tax-gain harvesting may be a viable option in some cases. While you may have heard of tax-loss harvesting, today we want to take a closer look at tax-gain harvesting to see how it works and when it should be deployed. This strategy is a bit more advanced than some others, but it can be beneficial when used effectively.
Are you familiar with a Health Savings Account (HSA)? If you’re like most people, you’ve heard the term but you’re probably not sure what it is or if it makes sense for you.
If that’s the case, then it’s your lucky day because we’re going to dig into exactly what a Health Savings Account is and, most importantly, why I absolutely love them. So with that, let’s check out a few statistics that just might surprise you.
This post was last updated on June 24, 2023, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.
Whether you’re retiring early or your financial circumstances shift unexpectedly, a “72t” withdrawal strategy might be useful. Knowing the full arsenal of penalty-free withdrawal options can help you make your money work for you regardless of what life throws at you.
The safety of your money is important when working with a financial planner for the first time. You worked hard to save for retirement. Protecting your assets may be why you’re hiring a financial planner in the first place.
The type of financial planning professional, compensation models, business structures, and legal protections are all important considerations. Not all firms manage investments the same - some don’t manage investments at all.
As you transition into retirement, one of the most pressing issues to consider is applying for Social Security. Although these monthly payments probably aren’t your entire income source, they can be a vital part of your retirement budget.
If you’re married when applying for Social Security, your spouse may also be entitled to benefits, even if he or she is not at retirement age. However, while this process is relatively straightforward for current married couples, what if you’re on a second marriage?
Warren Buffett is one of the greatest investors and philanthropists of all time. What can we learn from his charitable giving, and how can we apply it to our own giving strategies?
The main point of charitable giving is making the biggest impact. However, when we plan our giving carefully, we can save on taxes and put even more money to good use. There are many considerations, such as when, how much, and which charities and causes to support.
What does it actually look like when you work with a financial planner? This varies a lot between financial planners and clients alike. However, we’re peeling back the curtain to show you how we create your financial plan at NextGen Wealth.
Whether you’re already working with an advisor or a do-it-yourself investor, having a clear system for success is vital. The COLLAB Financial Planning Process™ is our answer. We hope you enjoy this “inside look” at how we construct a plan for your future.
This post was last updated on January 08, 2024, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.
Many SECURE Act 2.0 changes were set to go into effect later, but 2023 was an important year when many changes took effect. We’ve made a list of these changes so you can more easily track them.
This post was last updated on September 30, 2023, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.
How do you measure your personal financial health? If you were running a business, you’d pay close attention to its financial health, right? Elements like cash flow, debts, and total assets would be part of your normal routine.
Many investors consider diverse investment portfolios desirable because they reduce the overall risk inherent to investing. One of the primary ways to diversify your portfolio is to invest in different asset classes. Before you can do that, though, you need to know a little more about what they are.
While even the most diverse investment portfolios aren’t immune to risk entirely, risk reduction of any amount can help provide you with peace of mind, particularly when you’re investing as a way to support yourself through retirement.
If you’re like 69% of Americans, you may have less than $1000 saved. Putting money away is a struggle for many individuals, but part of the problem may be how they’re doing it.
One possible way to make saving easier is to utilize multiple accounts. Today, we’re going to look at the various reasons you should be saving and the types of accounts you can use to reach your goal.
Typically, if you want to become an investor, you need sufficient capital to make any headway. These days, however, it’s never been easier to make your money work for you, thanks to various investing apps and opportunities.
If you’re short on funds, you might think that investing is out of reach. You’d be wrong. Thanks to the growing trend of micro-investing, anyone with a bank account can get started.
If the thought of negotiating your salary makes you break out in a sweat, you’re not alone. According to a survey by compensation software company PayScale, only 43 percent of respondents asked for a raise in their current field.
Salary negotiations can be scary. Even the most seasoned professional can blanch at the idea of marching in and demanding more money from their boss. However, there will come a time when your current compensation does not reflect the value of your work.
This post was last updated on January 15, 2021, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.
Congratulations! You’ve worked for decades to prepare for retirement and now you’re there, or almost there, ready to start what can be the most enjoyable phase of your life. Very likely, you’ve got plans to travel, see family and friends and maybe even revisit hobbies you’ve neglected for decades.
This post was last updated on January 15, 2021, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.
Are you looking forward to the day you retire? Many dream of retirement, counting down the days when they can leave the cubicle life behind. But, before you turn in your work badge, make sure your finances are in order first.
The new year is upon us and with it comes resolutions and goals that you’d like to accomplish. However, as we can all agree, it’s just not that easy.
If you’ve ever set a goal that you failed to accomplish, you’re not alone. Science says that only 8 percent of people actually achieve their goals. According to a study by the University of Scranton, a staggering 92 percent of people make New Year’s resolutions they never fulfill.
Many Americans are one paycheck away from going into debt to pay for an emergency. A report by the Federal Reserve on the economic well-being of U.S. households found that 40 percent of American’s can’t afford an unexpected $400 expense. Having some extra cash can help you be prepared in case financial disaster strikes.
There are many different ways to save money – some easier than others. Pick what works for you and stick with it for a few months, setting aside the money that you save in a separate savings account. You can use the extra money to start an emergency fund or invest for retirement.
