Good to Know

A financial planner’s work is never done. The administration’s proposed 2014 budget takes aim squarely at the “permanent” estate tax reforms passed in January 2013.  The current $5,250,000 estate tax exemption would plummet $1,750,000 to only $3,500,000. The estate tax rate would jump to 45% from the current 40%. But that’s not all. The proposal…

What’s in your Last Will and Testament? Estate planning practice in the last two generations frequently included a Testamentary Trust for benefit of a couple’s children at the death of a parent.  This trust was known by a variety of names, including “Bypass Trust”, “Family Trust”, or “Credit Shelter Trust”.  Rather than specify the exact…

A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM can help clients save thousands of dollars by helping clients manage this new tax.  Medicare tax has historically been assessed only against earned income. Effective January 1, 2013, a new 3.8% Medicare Tax (the 3.8% tax) will also be levied against unearned income of taxpayers with adjusted gross income (AGI) above thresholds. How…

“Some gotta win, some gotta lose” is more than a line in an Elvis Presley song – it’s the government’s rendition of the Fiscal Cliff Deal. What exactly is the fiscal cliff? Is the fiscal cliff sheer media hype or a real crisis? The fiscal cliff refers to a perfect storm of tax increases and…

According to CNN Money being a financial advisor is the 6thbest job in the United States.  That is no surprise to people already in the industry, but may come as a surprise to those who aren’t familiar with the normal duties of a financial advisor.  So what makes it such a great job?  Primarily, it’s the satisfaction…

We are very excited to announce the re-launch of our CFP® Certification Education Programs blog.  The goal of this new look and feel is to make the blog more relevant to you, the student.  To that end, we have come up with a number of categories under which we will post information.  We will also…

We often feel guilty when we make an expensive purchase. After all, conventional wisdom dictates that every penny must be saved or invested. Scott Rick, a University of Michigan marketing professor, together with other researchers, conducted a study to quantify how people feel about what they buy. During the course of the study, they discovered something…

Americans today know that they are less prepared for their retirement because they have been using their savings to pay for bills and other expenses. As a result, they are risking a delay in retirement or a financially insecure retirement. However, according to the Eleanor Blayney, CFP, a consumer advocate from Certified Financial Planner Board…

While the financial services market has grown and branched out into online investment firms and discount brokers over the last few years, many Americans still prefer the traditional face-to-face advice of financial professionals. In fact, since the recession hit and the economy has been slow to fully recover, there are indications that concerned Americans are…

We all like to think we’re the best at what we do.  And maybe you are. But the Advisor down the street thinks the same thing.  And the Advisor around the corner thinks he has the best customer service.  The one in the next town over would say she has a higher rate of return. …