Fiscal Fitness

  If any of you aren’t sure about what I can do for you and how the fee-only financial planning process works, this may help: I work like a personal trainer does, except I work on your fiscal fitness! The analogy isn’t original and it is a little simplistic but it does make sense. Just like a personal trainer: We have to do an assessment. What kind of shape are you in now? This isn’t to judge you,...

Updated: Is it Harvest Time?

The Updated information is italicized: Drum roll please! The answer is: Yes, it’s still harvest time. Actually, it’s always harvest time. When I originally wrote this entry, it was nearing the end of the year. I was focusing on the fact that if anyone had losses to take for the year, they should take advantage of the situation for the 2010 tax year. However, if you’re holding securities in a taxable account,...

A Resolution Worth Keeping

While most New Year’s resolutions are worth keeping. Those associated with your happiness, health and wealth should receive priority. And, necessarily, as a personal financial planner, I have to advocate for those resolutions relating to your financial security. If you have peace of mind surrounding your financial situation, it makes dealing with the other obstacles life throws your way less overwhelming. The basics...

Is It Harvest Time?

Maybe it isn’t harvest time in the traditional, farming sense, but it’s getting close to tax loss harvest time. This is only for those of you that have stocks, mutual funds or exchange traded funds (ETFs) in taxable accounts (outside of retirement accounts). Those of you that have been learning about managing your investments know that you, generally, want to sell high and buy low. Life is messy and that goes doubly for...

Last Minute 2009 Roth IRA Contribution Time

You’re saying: “No, it’s too late for me.  I filed my 2009 tax return a month and a half ago!” You do have to set up the Roth IRA (Individual Retirement Account) and make the contribution for 2009 by April 15, 2010. However, you don’t have to report it on your tax return: so it doesn’t matter whether or not you filed the tax return! Just be sure to permanently keep the contribution records. Why am I pushing the...

What Can a Financial Planner Do for Me?

If you work in a successful business, you understand goals are set and plans are created to achieve those goals. This process simplifies your job by allowing you to focus on what’s important. That’s what a financial planner can do for your personal life. A personal financial planner will work with you to clarify your goals and give you guidance to obtain the goals. Many people find it freeing to think of their...