I love starting my day with a little time in the Word, and recently I was listening to a sermon that hit me right between the eyes. The pastor asked a simple but powerful question: Where are you getting your advice? It made me pause. Every day, we let different voices shape our thoughts and…
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Don’t Let These Common Mistakes Derail Your Future So, you’ve finally reached retirement—congratulations! But before you pop the champagne and splurge on a sports car or exotic vacation, take a deep breath. Retirement isn’t just a long vacation—it’s a whole new phase of life that needs a smart game plan. Here are five of the…
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Wow! There is a lot in this bill and no way we are going to cover everything or deep dive into anything specific. So…after reading and reading, here is an extensive glance at some of our notes. Note: It is imperative that you consult with your tax advisor before implementing any strategies. One of the…
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Retirement accounts and trusts…Could be like oil and water. If you have a substantial retirement account like an IRA or 401(k), it’s not uncommon to want to name a trust as a beneficiary. There are a number of reasons. Maybe you have underage children. Perhaps you are concerned that your heirs would spend everything the…
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Let’s face it—this question isn’t just coming from teenagers anymore. It’s echoing from young adults, parents, even grandparents. How do we get better with money? Why does it feel like we’re all figuring this out way too late? Here’s the reality: financial literacy should be a required class in school—but for most people, it never…
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Graduation caps have flown, and suddenly, it hits you: adulthood is here—whether you’re paying your own bills or not. Sure, you probably already know you can vote, join the military, and open a bank account at 18. But there are crucial things about turning 18 that don’t get talked about enough—and they can have a…
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Eeek… Just hearing the words “family meeting” can make you cringe, right? Most of us don’t have great memories of them. They’re usually called in response to conflict—especially when kids are involved—or to address topics no one really wants to talk about. And once the kids move out, these meetings seem to disappear altogether. But…
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Do you really know? Your first response may be, “everything” or “a lot of things.” But is that really the heart of the matter? Take Stan. Stan is a successful business owner living in a small town, raising two wonderful kids with his wife. Owning a business is “a lot.” Most business owners wear multiple…
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You may want to think again! It’s common for a parent, or parents, to start gifting assets to their children as they get older. The problem is that they don’t seek advice and if they do, it’s typically from the wrong people. Unfortunately, the result can be very costly to the family. It could rock…
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Think back to the last time you took a vacation. Do you recall how much time you spent deciding your destination, where you would stay, transportation, dining, and activities for your trip? It may surprise you to know that travelers typically spend an average of 303 minutes (over 5 hours) PER DAY on travel content…
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Securities offered through Calton & Associates, Inc. member FINRA and SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser. SEC registration does not imply a certain level of skill or ability. Investment advisory services offered through Smart Money Group, LLC, a Registered Investment Adviser. Smart Money Group, LLC and Kennedy Financial Services, Inc. are not owned or controlled by Calton & Associates, Inc.