It was one of my father’s favorite adages: “Turn a lemon into lemonade.” When markets turn sour, most investors feel the sting. But here is a perspective shift: Downturns do not have to be disasters – they can be opportunities in disguise. There are several ways to...
Tax Planning
How to Determine When It’s Time to Sell Investments
We have quite a bit of deferred maintenance due at our home (painting, replacing windows, carpentry, etc.). To get some projects going, should we borrow the money, use some of our cash reserves, or sell an investment? I really do not want to take on debt, so that...
Stage your own ‘Operation Christmas Clean-up’ to prepare financially for 2024
Last week, we began decorating our home for the holidays. As we retrieved and unpacked boxes of ornaments and garland and lights, we began to explore everything else that was in storage. The project morphed into a year-end house cleaning. “Operation Christmas...
Top Gifting and Tax Considerations to Know Now
TAX CHANGES IN 2021? Maybe. One of the possible implications of a change in the White House is tax regulations. Americans, blue or red, are asking the same question: are my taxes going to change? Joe Biden’s victory could spell changes in income, payroll, estate, and...
What do we really know about the financial markets anyway?
Benjamin Graham, the father of value investing, reminds us to "forget about what the stock market is going to do. Instead, focus on what you, as an investor, ought to do…" So what do we really know about the financial markets? First, what we don't know: The full...
Financial Changes To Consider When You Have Kids
Expecting a new child is certainly a life-changing event. Along with the excitement and blessings of family, that new life has important financial implications. Certified financial planner Suzanne Himes, with Asset Planning Corporation, is here to discuss some of the...
What You Need To Know To Keep Savings on Track
This past week was designated as America Saves Week, which is an annual call to action for everyday Americans to commit to saving successfully. In honor of this event, which is now in its 13th year, certified financial planner Suzanne Himes is here with some tips and...
How to Choose An Executor For Your Will
According to surveys, more than half of American adults don’t have a Last Will and Testament. While the reasons for this vary, one stumbling block can be choosing an executor. Suzanne Himes, lead financial planner at Asset Planning Corporation, joins us with what to...
Retirement Planning Earthquake
Just when you thought you had a good grasp of retirement planning rules, the government changes them! A new federal law took effect January 1, 2020, that affects many different parts of retirement planning. The SECURE Act of 2020 (Setting Every Community Up for...
What You Need To Know About FICO Scores
Fair Isaac Corp, commonly known as FICO, recently announced that a new version of their credit scoring model will be available later this year. FICO scores are used by 90% of lenders to assess an individual’s credit risk. Certified financial planner Suzanne Himes,...