Two Ways to Combat Household Inflation
Inflation is not a one-size-fits-all all phenomenon Inflation is the increase in prices over time Increasing prices means decreasing purchasing power How we choose to spend our money dictates how we experience inflation Inflation has been top of mind for every participant in our economy for three years straight: households, businesses, and policymakers. Inflation […]
May the 4th Be With You
I’ve been serving families at Ballast for over a decade, but this is the first time it’s my turn to write an update on May 4th. If you are high on the nerdiness scale like me, you will know that today is the unofficial holiday to celebrate the Star Wars universe, a play on “may […]
2026 Retirement Account Contribution Limits & Year-End Tax Planning
As 2025 draws to a close, now is the perfect time to review your retirement planning strategy and prepare for the new 2026 retirement contribution limits. The IRS has announced increased limits for 401(k)s, IRAs, and HSAs, while year-end planning opportunities like tax-loss harvesting, Roth conversions, and Required Minimum Distributions require attention before December 31st. […]
Guest Commentary: Jeffrey Gehring on Estate Law and Planning
Jeffrey L. Gehring Dickinson Wright PLLC 300 W. Vine Street, Suite 1700 Lexington, KY 40507 (859) 899-8713 jgehring@dickinson-wright.com Personal & Professional Journey What inspired you to pursue a career in estate law, and what has kept you passionate about it over the years? I really love the intersection of the technical rules related to […]
Ballast Magazine – Issue 1
Introducing Ballast Magazine A new way to explore wealth, purpose, and planning from the Ballast advisory team. We’re proud to share the first issue of Ballast Magazine—a curated collection of insights, strategies, and real-world stories for individuals and families committed to building a meaningful financial legacy. And the best part? Every article was thoughtfully written […]
Who Wants to Talk Politics?
Thanks for taking the bait. Positive stock market performance for 2024 has been celebrated by most investors, but the rationale behind the rally is where we tend to see a spectrum of opinions. I have personally heard clients laud their candidate of choice as the primary tailwind… from both sides of the aisle. It does […]
The Cost of a Spent Dollar – What Could an Investment Have Become Through the Years
As we discuss retirement savings, one aspect that is worthy of consideration is the weighing of alternatives. Hindsight is always 20/20, but let’s consider the cost of a spent dollar throughout the years. Essentially, if you had $X in a given year, what is something that you could have purchased during that year compared to […]
How Much is Enough – An Intro to Monte Carlo Simulations
When it comes to retirement planning, one of the most often asked questions is, “What’s my number?” In other words, how much money do I need to save to retire comfortably? Simple, right? Well, not exactly — it’s far more than just a static number posted on our refrigerators. Although there are quick formulas and […]
Insight into Fixed Income & Timing of Social Security
When entering retirement, the question of how to structure income can be the most influential factor in determining a family’s long-term financial well-being. Several factors such as income source, inflation, and sequence of returns present risks and opportunities for retirees. Today’s Atheneum discusses how we might explore retirement income with John and Jane Smith. They […]
Evaluating Old Life Insurance Policies
Not all financial decisions are made with a clean slate. Nearly everyone we meet has made choices both good and bad. Our approach has always been to look everything over with a critical but nonjudgmental eye and find the most appropriate way forward for the future. Often our first opportunity to practice this approach is […]
Resources
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U.S. Income Tax History: How Tax Rates and Revenue Have Changed Since 1862
The history of income tax in America reveals a fascinating story of economic policy, war financing, and evolving government revenue strategies. From President Lincoln’s first income tax in 1862 to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, federal tax rates have ranged from as low as 1% to as high as 94%. Understanding this […]