Your account statement might say you earned 10%, but is that really what you get to keep? Not exactly. Once taxes and inflation step onto the scene, the picture changes—sometimes drastically. For example, let’s say your tax rate is 40% and inflation is 3%. That 10% return suddenly shrinks to an after-tax, real return of…
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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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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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This might be an easier question to answer than “what is new in DC?” It feels a bit like drinking from a fire hose, so we thought it might be beneficial to zero in on some things that are important to the families we serve. #1…Which, by the way, is my favorite! The on again,…
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Let’s face it…No one wants to talk politics these days, but facts are facts. We are approaching a presidential election, so politics need to be top of mind. As we dive in, I will give you peace of mind though. We are not going to provide any biased content and we are going to keep…
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Wait…That doesn’t sound right! Retirement years are supposed to be “the easy years,” right? There is a saying (paraphrased) that states that what messes up most in life is the picture in our head of how things are supposed to be. Retirement is a prime example of this. We assume that if we work hard,…
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For many Americans, putting money back into a retirement account such as a 401(k) or traditional IRA has been their primary choice to save for retirement. After all, most company plans offer some sort of matching incentive based on what you contribute and your contributions are deducted from your taxable income. In fact, you may…
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Do you have a Health Savings Account or access to one through a different health plan? Most people do. Are you contributing to it? Most people that have one are. Are you using it now when you have medical needs? A lot of people are. WRONG ANSWER!!!!! This is simply a case of you don’t…
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Did you know as of 2023 there are over 1.13 billion websites on the internet?1 In 1996, there were only around 100,000. At what point, is there too much information out there? Have you ever tried to self-diagnose a few health symptoms? After Googling for a while, you might just learn you only have a…
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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.