"Financial advisers may try to avoid talking politics with clients, but clients rarely miss a chance to engage advisers about how the election might affect their portfolios. That starts a delicate conversation."

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, or TCJA, passed and was signed into law, then took effect for tax years beginning January 1, 2018. Tax Returns for that year were due on April 15, 2019, and offered automatic extensions until October 15, 2019, for those who needed more time. Those dates have passed, returns have been filed, and results are in.

Our very own Adam Van Wie, CFP®, was featured in a Redfin.com blog about underestimating the cost of home ownership! Click the link to see his comments.

We frequently hear phrases such as, “I put my kid’s name on the house,” or “I want to give my home to my kids to keep it in the family.” Hearing things like that makes us cringe. Most often, it is the exact wrong thing to do.

Despite a robust economy, many people are feeling a pinch in their living standard. As prices rise steadily over time, wages (especially after-tax) haven’t risen with the same determination. Inflation is winning, and Americans are losing.

This week, rather than a traditional blog post, I thought we’d share a correspondence sent to our clients and friends this week. The topics include RMDs, QCDs, and other items that are timely and important.

Dividends are nice, as they give us positive financial feedback that our investments are working for us. Sometimes, however, good tax planning would have us avoid a dividend in order to reduce our potential taxable income. Avoiding a dividend is sometimes as easy as postponing an intended equity purchase.

Rising popularity among clients for the RIA model is spearheading an explosion of firms adopting the fiduciary RIA business model. But despite the popularity and growth of this industry, shortages of qualified advisors exist, and there appears to be no end in sight to opportunities for growth and expansion. Young people seeking a rewarding career should be aware of opportunities available in the field of financial planning.

Today’s subject, garnishment of Social Security, is a particularly touchy subject. Far too many American seniors are totally dependent on Social Security for their financial independence. For those people, taking all or part of their monthly benefit would assure that they became wards of the State. Fortunately, Federal and State laws have considered that very possibility.