By Jim Shellenberger, CFA, CFP® Are you looking for ways to optimize your charitable contributions? Donor-advised funds (DAFs) are a great strategy to not only reduce your tax burden but also increase the impact of your generous donations. In certain situations, your charitable contributions might even allow you to completely offset your taxable income. Explore …
Could a Donor-Advised Fund Save You Money on Taxes? Read More »
By Jim Shellenberger, CFA, CFP® Have you ever made a mistake with money? Don’t worry, no one is looking…you can raise your hand. When it comes to handling finances, some of us are better at this than others; but we all have made some financial blunders at least once in our lives. A 2019 study …
By Jim Shellenberger, CFA, CFP® We’ve all procrastinated at some point. Maybe it was a homework assignment when you were in school or that house chore that just never seemed to get done. When we procrastinate on these little things, usually the consequences aren’t too large. But if you put off creating a plan for …
Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late: The Importance of Financial Planning Read More »
By Jim Shellenberger, CFA, CFP® We all love secrets, right? Especially when they benefit us. While a backdoor Roth IRA isn’t the world’s best-kept secret, it’s one that surprisingly few people know about and understand. If you’ve never heard of this type of IRA before, let’s explore what it is and how it could help …
The Backdoor Roth IRA: A Simple Way to Grow Tax-Free Wealth Read More »
By Jim Shellenberger, CFA, CFP® When we were kids, our parents likely told us to save money, especially for times when we might need it. Now that we’re adults, we work, aim for promotions, and save part of our pay in a savings account every month. It sounds good, but then you realize that while …
By Jim Shellenberger, CFA, CFP® When you encounter an emergency, it often goes hand in hand with an unexpected cost. Whether it’s a car repair, a hospital visit, or a leak in the roof, having emergency savings can act as a safeguard against those surprise expenses. We’ll explore the essentials of creating an emergency savings …
Emergency Savings: Your Financial Lifeline and How to Maximize Its Potential Read More »
By Jim Shellenberger, CFA, CFP® Financial professionals offer a range of services, from investment advice and management to financial planning and wealth management. Although these terms are often used interchangeably, they involve different processes and outcomes. It’s a common misconception that these terms are synonyms for the same thing, but that couldn’t be further from …
What Is Financial Planning & How Is it Different From Investment Management? Read More »
By Jim Shellenberger, CFA, CFP® Surprises are usually enjoyable—unless it’s time to file your taxes. For many people, tax season is a time of stress and anxiety, especially after all the economic instability over the past few years. Navigating the intricacies of your own finances and the continually changing tax codes and regulations can be …
A brief overview of what happened to Silicon Valley Bank alongside a lesson we can all learn from their customers.
By Jim Shellenberger, CFA, CFP® Working decades of your life to one day reach retirement is a goal most of us share. But we all know someone who seems to be doing more, traveling more, and just enjoying everyday life more than most. You may find yourself asking, “How can I live in the now …
How Can You Start Living Your Retirement Dream Now? Read More »
