Student Loan Forgiveness Best Practices

Key Takeaways: Federal student debt cancellation up to $10,000 ($20,000 for Pell grant recipients) Cancellation limited by income ($125,000 single, $250,000 for married couples) Limited PSLF Waiver ends October 31, 2022; review your eligibility     This past Wednesday, the President announced a student debt cancellation plan. Unfortunately for borrowers hopeful to log in to their […]

August 2022 Market Update

Listen as John Boardman (Founder and CEO) and Andy Reynolds (COO and Partner) and Cameron Hamilton (Director of Financial Planning and Partner) discuss the current economic environment and share the conversations they’ve been having with clients. Additionally, they consider a few common questions and share our thoughts on the market, inflation, consumer confidence, the word recession, and economic outlook.     If you have […]

A History of the Individual Income Tax in America

Key Takeaways: Taxes have been part of our country’s history from the very beginning – No Taxation Without Representation!  Some have said that the only two constants in life are death and taxes.  Today, the tax code has become so complex that you could spend as much time as you wanted to be buried in resources […]

Most Couples Shouldn’t BOTH Delay Social Security

Key Takeaways: Two-income households have more complex Social Security timing decisions The higher-earning spouse generally benefits from delaying payments The lower-earning spouse generally benefits from starting payments early We’ve written a previous breakdown on the Social Security timing decision.  Briefly, between ages 62-70, if you delay taking income, your monthly benefit grows.  We discussed that […]

Tax Savings on Company Stock

If you work for a publicly traded company, chances are you can own company stock inside your 401(k) retirement plan.  We’ve seen many workers nearing retirement who have accumulated substantial shares of company stock.  These workers are often unaware that they have an option with the tax treatment of these shares that could potentially result […]

Putting a Value on Your Social Security Benefits

Key Takeaways: Most retirees don’t think of Social Security as an asset and therefore exclude it from their balance sheet. The present value of Social Security payments over an average life expectancy can easily be several hundred thousand dollars. We can’t predict what will happen with Social Security down the road, so it is important […]

Cash Flow – The “B” Word

For many individuals, families, and even companies, the infamous “B” word causes undo stress, and anxiety, and at times, can even lead to arguments. As we look at our financial goals, many lists reference this “B” word as something they hope to achieve or implement. Today we will discuss the core of cash flow planning… BUDGETING!   […]

Evaluating the Benefits of Flex Spending and Health Savings Accounts

Most employees face countless and confounding options each year when they select their benefits.  There is no unanimous choice in any benefit area, it really comes down to what the employee needs and will benefit from most, particularly long-term.  Flex spending accounts and health savings accounts are very common options these days, particularly as employers […]

Takeaways From a Week at the Chicago Booth School of Business

As all the children in our community are getting ready to go back to school, I am reflecting on my week back in the classroom this summer. I was lucky enough to spend time at the Chicago Booth School of Business learning from the country’s leading practitioners in estate and tax planning. Earlier this year, I set […]