Since passage and implementation of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, much has changed. Unfortunately, much remains to be desired going forward.

Every year I like to review my past Congressional Financial Wish Lists, both to see what actually happened since last year, as well as to see what could be improved. Since passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which took effect on January 1, 2018, a lot has changed. The changes were positive for the majority of Americans. However, much remains to be done, and remaining Congressional time is very limited. Here is a short list of possibilities to make our financial lives even better.

Americans recently celebrated Veterans’ Day, the annual day for recognizing everyone who has ever worn the uniform of the U.S. Armed Forces. 2018 has been a year of focus regarding Veterans’ benefits, and we have uncovered a little-known benefit that will render needed assistance to certain veterans and their spouses.

If you listen to our radio show, you probably head Larry call in about his Messiah for Hunger Fight. If you are interested in attending or would like to donate, please click this link.

Many politically-oriented investors were personally disappointed, as neither side achieved a sweeping victory. Yet market euphoria reigned for a full trading session, as investors were secure in their knowledge that nothing of consequence would happen with a divided Congress.

“I want to be good to my children, so I am adding them to the deed to the house.” We hear it in the office, on the radio show, in emails, and during phone calls, and it is almost always well-intentioned. Many times, however, what sounds like a nice idea is actually a detriment to the financial futures of both parents and children. An understanding of IRS rules can prevent costly errors from being made. Generally speaking, once the error has been made, there are no “do-overs.”

Apparently, some of the President’s critics are not terribly happy about this revelation, as evidenced by the above-captioned headline. One of Trump’s main economic targets is to narrow the trade deficit. In Q3 that did not happen, as imports outpaced exports by an increased margin. Ipso facto, they imply that Trump is failing in his attempts to balance international trade.

Think about this; would you rather pay more taxes today and leave more tax-free assets to your heirs, or leave the heirs with more eventual taxes by paying less today?

Let’s look at some of the media hype surrounding this normal market pause. How many of you think that DJIA 26,000 is a brand new phenomenon? Would you believe that we first achieved that milestone on January 17, 2018? Look it up if you need to, in order to feel better.