Articles

Destination

Arriving at Your Destination

A recent speaker told a story that I think most of us can relate to: Whenever I get in the car, I have a driving companion named Tom. He warns me in advance and reminds me just before a turn comes. Even if I make a wrong turn, Tom patiently tells me to turn around…
Read more


September 29, 2022 0
Advice

Investment Advice for the Times

The markets are a little bit choppy if you haven’t noticed. The economy is carrying a bit of a shadowy forecast these days and money seems to be getting tighter and tighter. If you turn on the news, there is not much besides doom and gloom. Then there is you—the hard-working American that just wants…
Read more


September 20, 2022 0
Mattress

Is Your Life Insurance Like a Bad Mattress?

Can you remember the last time you bought a new mattress? The difference between shopping for most things and shopping for a mattress is that we’re not sure how to price one – for most of us it has been ages since we bought our last one and we have no reference point. Most folks…
Read more


September 13, 2022 0
I Love You

Do You Have an I Love You Plan?

Anne Heche is yet another celebrity to die without a Will. When I read this fact, my heart sunk. Of course, I don’t know Anne Heche personally, but I do know what dying without a Will could possibly mean for her family—stress, chaos, conflict and quarrels, and interruptions to daily life for her family in…
Read more


September 7, 2022 0
Worried

When Should I Take My Social Security?

You were probably hoping to click on this article and finally get a straight and simple answer…And looking to your friends and relatives, you think you know the answer already.  Over 80% of the people eligible to start taking Social Security file their claim before their Full Retirement Age (which is most commonly age 67).1…
Read more


September 2, 2022 0
Spouse

Estate Planning Isn’t Just for Kids – It’s for Your Spouse

If you’re taking the time to read this, odds are you’re the planner in the family. You take care of most of the financial duties for your family, and your spouse looks to you for the final say on these matters. If that is a fairly accurate portrayal, it is important that you continue reading…
Read more


August 19, 2022 0
Nightmare

The Retirement Nightmare

Just the idea of that makes you want to grind your teeth. Retirement is supposed to be anything but a nightmare, right? After all, it’s your Golden Years. You worked so hard to get here. It’s a dream come true… or is it? Right now, it could be a scary time to retire or be…
Read more


August 11, 2022 0
Saving

401(k) Pitfalls and Opportunities

There are several reasons you may want to move your 401(k) to an IRA. It might simply be to consolidate your investments or to get away from unnecessary fees. It might be to make a Roth conversion. It might be to obtain an active money manager or work with a more holistic advisor. Whatever the…
Read more


August 4, 2022 0
Tax Nightmare

A Tax Nightmare for Your Business

Do you have life insurance for your business and/or owned by your business? If so, the death benefit is supposed to be tax free, right? It might be. It might not be. Or worse, it could be taxed twice. Let me tell you a story about Joe. He owned a very successful business with his…
Read more


July 19, 2022 0
Drought

Are You Planning for a Financial Drought?

Imagine spending your entire life building a business only to wake up at 63 and find it isn’t worth anything. Most of us think, “how sad, but that won’t happen to my business…I have worked too hard or my industry is too strong or there will always be a need for what I do or….”…
Read more


July 13, 2022 0

Securities offered through Calton & Associates, Inc. member FINRA and SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser. 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.