Posts by Stephen Smalenberger, EA
[Video] Rent Or Buy
Studio Chat: Renting vs. Financing a Home Purchase STEPHEN SMALENBERGER, EA & MICHELLE SMALENBERGER, CFP® One question we get a lot is Do you rent or do you buy? We’ve done both; rented and now own a home. There’s such a simplicity in renting! You know what your fixed costs are each month with no…
Read More[Video] College Savings
Studio Chat: Advisor’s Take On College Savings STEPHEN SMALENBERGER, EA & MICHELLE SMALENBERGER, CFP® One of the areas you want to discuss once you have children is whether to save or fund your children’s college education. Do you want to fund all of it, some of it, none of it? In planning for the day…
Read MoreDIY vs. Hiring Professionals [Video]
We all work with different types of professionals whether it be an accountant, attorney, or insurance agent for some examples. You’ve likely considered using them in your life. With all of these professionals to choose from there’s been one thing that we’ve talked about as we too have had to decide should we hire someone to help us do something.
Read More[Video] Merry Christmas!
STEPHEN SMALENBERGER, EA Think of a special gift you’ve gotten for Christmas? One that we like to give is shared experiences. Think of a Disney on Ice, going on a ski trip with your family, dinner, movie, or concert tickets. All of these are really special because it shows that you’ve thought of someone else…
Read More[Video] Donating Appreciated Stock
STEPHEN SMALENBERGER, EA Maybe you’re considering a way to support a not-for-profit organization that you believe in. Here’s a way to do just that with something that you already own… appreciated stock. What is appreciated stock? It is an investment that has grown since you bought it. Let’s use an example and use some number…
Read MoreQualified Charitable Distributions [Video]
Maybe you’re thinking of a way to support a not-for-profit or charity that you believe in. Here’s another way to do that with something you already have; your traditional IRA. These are known as Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCD). We’ve talked about IRAs before and how when you take money out it’s taxable. At age 72…
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