Blog

As an American taxpayer, financial planner, and part-time radio host, one of my self-appointed responsibilities has been to enlighten our audience as to upcoming financial changes that will impact nearly everyone. This time of year, Congress and certain Departments of the Administration are busily preparing annual changes to taxes and our massive Social Programs, including […]

Uncertainty is the bane of the stock market, as well as tax planners and investors everywhere. Throughout the 2024 Presidential Election Cycle, prognostication became increasingly difficult as proposals, trial balloons, polls, and candidate swaps supplied a plethora of conflicting concerns. Nothing was certain, planning was difficult, and markets were understandably volatile. Fortunately, the election is […]

During the closing weeks of each calendar year, our Federal Government trickles out tax changes that will affect savers and investors in the coming New Year. The process has started for 2025, and we are bringing you what we know so far, with some analysis and comments included. Foundational to annual changes is the inflation […]

Last week, we began a discussion that emanated from a radio listener’s inquiry. The general topic was preparing Americans for Retirement Planning and the need for an early start with education, saving, and investing. Dreaming of retirement is not enough, and in the 21st Century, no one else will be looking out for you. That […]

Following a recent episode of The Van Wie Financial Hour, a listener hit the nail squarely on the head with his observation that learning about retirement only when it is staring you in the face is not only dysfunctional but can also be discouraging. We wholeheartedly agree. Imagine being within a short number of months […]

What a difference a degree or two can make, as we all learned this past week from Hurricane Milton. This strange disturbance deep in the Southwestern Gulf of Mexico did the unthinkable, moving eastward and multiplying its force. I can’t remember a pattern like that, and if I never see it again, I’ll be better […]

Florida’s First Coast dodged a bullet last week, when Hurricane Helene roared through several states for hundreds of miles, wreaking untold devastation on areas largely unprepared to handle this form of dangerous weather. As the death toll passes 200, and the missing toll remains in the hundreds, we look around our immediate area and breathe […]

“Silly Season” is in full swing in Washington, D.C. This is the period immediately preceding a Presidential Election, a period during which excessive promises are made to voters on both sides. Mostly, promises are for tax cuts for the Middle Class (and sometimes for others). Sprinkle in some tax increases for people who aren’t you […]

Only five months have passed since our past April 15th tax day, and most people are not thinking about year-end tax and financial planning just yet. In a “normal” year, that is an oversight, but in a Presidential election year, it could represent a financial error. In this particular election year, it could constitute an […]