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What’s on our mind? You can read about it in our blog. Whether it’s ideas from the industry or emerging trends, you can read about it here. And once in a while, we may throw in a movie review or some other surprise. So keep checking in. We’re glad to have you reading along.

 

Monday, March 18, 2019

What is the difference between a financial advisor and a retirement specialist? Aren’t they both working for you to reach the same goal? A lot of folks are surprised at the differences and what the potential outcome is to them...

 

Friday, March 1, 2019

If you plan to retire before age 70, there is a brief yet magical time you can use financial strategies that may make a substantial change in lifetime assets. Most people plan to take social security at retirement and save their 401k...

 

Tuesday, February 5, 2019

From time to time, we enjoy pertinent and relevant information. This blog is written by Mark Pettit. Seven billion people inhabit lands outside our borders, five billion of whom live on less than $10 per day[1]. The UN estimates 3 to 4...

 

Thursday, January 24, 2019

I am willing to bet money, you have received an invite like this in the mail. You may have even thought about the wine you were going to enjoy with this "free" meal. All you have to do is go to this event and listen to a presentation....

 

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

As business owners, we are often asked to support many different and worthy non-profit organizations in our city. We are blessed to be part of a community that gives; over 90% of our clients alone include charitable giving in their...

 

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Saturday, January 12, 2019

Here it is, the new year already! And right in the midst of holiday gatherings and celebrations, the stock market took an unprecedented roller coaster ride. If you haven’t done it yet, this may indeed be the year that you need...

 

Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Many of you who bought traditional long term care insurance may have recently gotten quite a surprise in the mail. They are raising their monthly premiums and it is significant. Let me first say, don't abandon the policy without...

 

Wednesday, January 2, 2019

Laura and I started our New Year doing one of the things that we love doing together, shooting sporting clay's. We had an enjoyable time and both of us shot well into the 80's and 90's. But most importantly, it gave us the space need...

 

Monday, December 10, 2018

It’s always on your list of New Year’s Resolutions and looks something like spend less, save more - or pay off debt. All good resolutions! So, how’d that work for you? I find that people really want to be better...

 

Friday, November 16, 2018

I was recently informed of a strategy that a fairly large insurance carrier is promoting here in Huntsville. It is using a whole life policy to fund children’s education. This is how it works: you purchase a life insurance...

 

Friday, November 2, 2018

You are enjoying retirement, cruising along when all of a sudden you get RMD Tax Torpedo shot at you. That’s right, many do it yourself retirement planners are learning the hard way that taxes are still an issue in retirement....

 

Saturday, October 13, 2018

The Market You would have to have been comatose not to have heard about recent movement in the stock markets. Which brings out the fear and speculation about what lies ahead and how to best protect your retirement savings. Enter the...

 

Monday, October 1, 2018

RETIRING WITH A PENSION? DON’T MAKE THIS MISTAKE If you’re retiring with a pension, one of the biggest decisions you’ll make is if to take a higher life-only annuity or a joint and survivor benefit that offers a lower...

 

Wednesday, September 12, 2018

Long term care insurance has long protected against the chance that the devastating costs of long term care will deplete a family’s savings, and has prevented many from being forced into life-changing, unwanted living situations....

 

Wednesday, August 29, 2018

Have you ever wondered what the most expensive thing you own is? Is it your house? Your cars? Your portfolio? It has taken me years to figure it out, but I think it is my ego. That’s right, my ego has cost me dearly both in time...

 

Thursday, August 23, 2018

Our firm specializes in financial planning, specifically as it relates to retirement planning. We run across of a lot of people that we call "Spreadsheet Warriors." These are people who meet with us and spend a fair amount of time...

 

Thursday, August 23, 2018

THE QUALIFIED CHARITABLE IRA DISTRIBUTION What if you could make an IRA distribution non-taxable? If you are at least age 70-1/2 - the age when you are required to take minimum distributions from your IRA – you probably can! The...

 

Thursday, August 9, 2018

I apologize, I got shooting on the brain. Clays for CASA is just around the corner and Laura and I looking at shooting a couple of tournaments in Tennessee. One of the common mistakes we make is we don't take the time to pattern our...

 

Thursday, August 2, 2018

My wife/ business partner and I shoot sporting clay's together and we compete in registered and non-registered shoots whenever we can. We love being around people while enjoying the outdoors and you can find us at least twice a month...

 

Thursday, July 26, 2018

If your employer-sponsored retirement plan offers pre-tax, Roth, and/or non-Roth after-tax contributions, which one should you choose? Start by understanding the features of each. Pre-tax: For those who want lower taxes now Pre-tax...

 

Friday, July 13, 2018

Have you ever heard the following? You should be fine withdrawing 4% annually from your investments in retirement. It doesn’t make sense to pay off your mortgage when the interest is tax-deductible and you can get a better return...

 

Monday, July 9, 2018

If you are not sandwich meat right now, you probably know someone who is. It’s not very tasty being squeezed between kids heading off to college and the needs of aging parents, and at usually right about the time your career is...

 

Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Financial advisors thrive on numbers. What‘s the return on your portfolio? How well is it doing compared to the index? Need a financial plan? We’ll gather up all your numbers and put them into our software program that...

 

Monday, June 25, 2018

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passage in December made major changes in tax law. Most everyone has made decisions on buying homes, getting home equity loans, paying mortgages, making donations, and funding college – among others -...

 

Tuesday, June 19, 2018

My wife Laura and I are out in the community a lot and are often asked “what do you do?” When we answer that we are retirement specialists, more often than not, the response is “I’ll never retire.” How...

 

Friday, June 15, 2018

How you’ve spent your time and your money. How you’ve saved, gifted, and invested. It increases the risks of things that are out of your control - like inflation, interest rates, health care, and the economy. And it brings...

 

Friday, May 25, 2018

PAYING OFF THE MORTGAGE You’ve probably asked – should I pay off my mortgage? Advice from one corner will say - no! If you have a low interest mortgage, and the interest is tax deductible, couldn’t you make more by...

 

Thursday, May 24, 2018

WHAT IS A SAFE WITHDRAWAL RATE? If you’ve studied about withdrawing an income from your investment accounts, you’ve likely encountered the “safe” withdrawal rate. The annual percentage of your total investments...

 

Friday, May 18, 2018

WHEN TO TAKE SOCIAL SECURITY? A hot topic in retirement planning these days is the best time to begin Social Security benefits. When you approach age 62 – the earliest most people can begin – it becomes tempting to...