Find room for philanthropy in any market
We have all been feeling the squeeze as of late, and philanthropy is feeling it, too. The costs of things we buy, be it food, clothing or even entertainment (have you seen the price of a baseball game recently?) seem only to go one way — higher. Economists blame inflation, pandemic remnants and supply-chain challenges. We’re left with two issues: The things we buy are increasing in... READ MORE
Don’t be fooled by ‘simple’ scam emails
Scams have become ubiquitous in the digital age and are becoming more difficult to spot. According to the Better Business Bureau, the most recent iteration includes some key details that, to the blind eye, may fool you into thinking it’s legit. Like many other scams, this one comes via email and will appear to be from someone you know. “The message looks harmless and casual — like... READ MORE
Enlist an entourage to make life easier
If it takes a village to raise a child, it can take a small town to support an aging adult. As we get older, the range of professionals and services we rely on for physical, financial and daily living support expands and shifts. They are your entourage as you age. Who will be your entourage? The people and services that support you fall into these categories: Health care. For much... READ MORE
Key income tax deductions not to miss
It is no secret that the federal income regulations are very complex. As a result, many deductions are missed by individuals when they file their tax returns. I’ll discuss some of these deductions below. Because of the increase in standard deductions, according to the IRS, almost 88% of tax filers used the standard deduction on their 2020 tax return. For your 2023 tax return, the... READ MORE
Protect your documents from a disaster
Floods, wildfires, historic storms — severe weather events are on the rise. If your home was hit by high water or a fire, would your important papers be safe? “Unfortunately, I’ve had clients who’ve been victims of fires, flooding, hurricanes,” said Sev Tamayo, an agent with Goosehead Insurance in Palm Coast, Florida. “Some of them were prepared, and some of them... READ MORE
The best sources for financial information
If you want to succeed in personal financial planning, you need to use the best-informed, up-to-date and unbiased sources. In this column I’ll share my recommendations. Retirement accounts For information about IRAs and other retirement savings accounts, Ed Slott and his publications are simply the best. I regularly attend his seminars and keep up to date with his monthly... READ MORE
Ways to help grandchildren financially
In his early 20s, Chris Chen’s nephew dreamed of becoming a professional photographer. But to pursue that dream, he needed equipment that cost over $5,000. His nephew worked hard to save $1,500; then, his maternal grandmother provided an additional $750. Chen, a certified financial planner in Newton, Massachusetts, covered the rest. “It helped him understand the value of money,”... READ MORE
Address possible scams before they call
This summer, Daniel Goldstein’s 86-year-old mom got an email that looked like it was from her bank. She was alarmed because she hadn’t spent the money it mentioned, so she called a help number on the email. The person on the other end of the line asked for her bank account information and made her believe she would get her money back. Instead, she lost $600 to a scammer. Last... READ MORE
Some pros and cons of Roth conversion
Because of retirement-related federal legislation passed in the last few years, many individuals are considering converting some or all of their traditional IRAs to Roth IRAs. One major reason is that most beneficiaries of traditional IRAs other than surviving spouses are no longer allowed to “stretch” distributions from their traditional IRA inheritances over their... READ MORE
How to make retirement more meaningful
A purpose-driven retirement is all about finding meaning and fulfillment in your post-work years. It is more than just relaxing and enjoying leisure time; instead, it involves actively seeking activities and interests that align with your values and passions. Much of our identity in life is tied to work, but retirement gives us the opportunity to rethink our purpose and to rediscover who ... READ MORE
