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[Video] Life Insurance
Studio Chat: Life Insurance STEPHEN SMALENBERGER, EA & MICHELLE SMALENBERGER, CFP® We want to talk through some thoughts regarding life insurance that we personally discussed when choosing what was best for us. Please watch these other videos that explain the what, why, how much, and types of life insurance that makes sense. Comfort Level &…
Proving Confidence In The Days Ahead
Proving Confidence In The Days Ahead The new year has started with quite a spring in its step! The first trading days have seen stock prices moving higher each day. With these moves we can all appreciate the gains for our investments, but in the back of our minds we are asking if this can…
DIY 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.
Reset for the New Year
Reset for the New Year Like every other January 1st, we find ourselves looking back over the past year and looking forward to the new year. As is common, we find ourselves pledging to get back to healthy habits and start afresh. A new year offers the ability to turn the calendar and set a…
Now What? New Year’s Lower Taxes
Now What? New Year’s Lower Taxes Now that Christmas has come and gone everyone is left thinking ahead to the New Year finances in 2018. What will the new year bring? What changes do you anticipate making? These same questions can be asked of the markets and how to view the days ahead. To Itemize…
Gifts From Santa Claus For The Market?
Gifts from Santa Claus for the market? You’ve no doubt seen the market rise this year, but did you know there is a specific rally that typically happens in late-December? A Santa Claus rally is a rise in stock prices in the month of December, generally seen over the final week of trading prior to…
[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…
[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…
One Thing Is Driving The Market Higher [Right Now…]
Just One Thing In The Tax Bill Is Driving The Market Higher We’ve all been listening to the commotion about tax reform. You may know the House of Representatives has passed their version of a tax reform bill. And the Senate has also passed their own version of a tax reform bill. So now the…
Qualified 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…
The Market Moves Forward In Spite of Headlines
The Market Moves Forward In Spite of Headlines Every day brings a new headline story that we may or may not expect. It’s often the expectation or lack of it that causes the volatility we see in that day’s market performance. But your decision to invest can be made in spite of the news story…
Consider The Economic Cycle
Consider The Economic Cycle Deciding how to invest a portfolio starts with where we believe we are in the economic market cycle. Many well respected analysts believe the market potentially has another year to run and keep moving higher with a potential late 2018 or 2019 pullback where we could see a recession. So believing…
