Simplify Budgeting to One Key Number
“Where does the money go?” is a question we, unfortunately, hear all too often when discussing budgeting and cash flow. Often the only thing simple about a family’s cash flow is that it is simply confusing. Let’s look at how we help simplify complicated family finances into one key number. Often times we see clients […]
Student Debt Options for Graduates
Although a minority of our clients have student debt, those that do not almost always have children or grandchildren planning on attending college. Costs of college attendance have inflated so fast that we discuss it with parents of newborns. We’re seeing a steady increase of borrowers with six figure debt levels, making student debt repayment […]
Planning for “Fixed” Income During Retirement
Fixed Income in retirement can come from many different sources of assets. It may be a pension, real estate rental income, bond/CD ladder, annuity, Social Security, or even an income-yielding individual bond. In all scenarios, using “fixed” income as retirement income comes with many different benefits and risks. While it is very situationally dependent, in […]
Determining a Healthy Withdrawal Rate
One of the more arduous tasks facing retirees and soon-to-be retirees is trying to determine how much money can be withdrawn from retirement accounts each year without running out – yet not skimping yourself either. Solving this puzzle has become even more challenging given today’s low interest rate environment and tempered expectations for future investment […]
Benefits of Multiple Income Streams at Retirement
In our second Atheneum article for this quarter’s Retirement Income subject, we discuss the benefit of having multiple income streams during retirement. To understand the advantage of having multiple income streams, it is important to first understand one of the most important factors that affects portfolio longevity when taking income: sequence risk. According to Investopedia, […]
Long Term Care Overview
One of the most intimidating and misunderstood areas in financial planning is Long Term Care Planning. In general, long-term care is classified as ongoing healthcare needs for the basic activities of daily living such as eating, bathing, dressing, and transferring. In most cases, a person who cannot perform even a few of these activities independently […]
Resources
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Silicon Valley Bank, Likely Implications, and Client Action
Friday morning started on a positive note. Markets rejoiced with a favorable labor report showing wage inflation falling below expectations signaling that the Federal Reserve’s efforts to contain inflation may be working. However, the New York Stock Exchange, before the market opened, announced that trading on Silicon Valley Bank (“SVB”) had been halted. Two days […]
Planning Opportunities with SECURE Act 2.0
SECURE Act 2.0 is good for retirement savers. Key Takeaways: RMD Age Delayed from 72 to 73, then 75 for those born in 1960 & later Expanded Roth savings opportunities Expanded savings opportunities, especially for pre-retirees It’s becoming a holiday tradition. On the morning of Christmas eve, I sat down to a cup […]
2022 Market Recap and 2023 Outlook
To kick off the new year, John Boardman (CEO, Founder) and Andy Reynolds (COO, Partner) sat down to recap the economic environment in 2022 and discuss the 2023 outlook. Click the play button below to watch. Topics include: Recent economic data and performance The 1% of market volatility on trading days Market fundaments […]
December Market Update 2022
During the Ballast Open House last week, the advisors led a brief market update and economic discussion for those in attendance. This video was recorded live in the Ballast Conference Room with a full audience. Listen as they share current market conditions, financial planning strategies, and updates. Advisors: John Boardman, CFP®, Founder and […]
Should Business Owners Raise Their Salary to Earn More Social Security?
Key Takeaways: Lower taxes are better, right? We spend a great deal of time planning around the tax code to help people accomplish their goals in the most tax-efficient manner. However, lowering taxes today often has consequences down the road. Sometimes there is a clear mathematical break-even, and other times a complex web of behavioral […]