Finances & Your Family

STEPHEN SMALENBERGER, EA ® Sometimes our clients ask us, “How do we take advantage of different tax benefits?” Or, “My employer is offering this, should I take it?” One account that’s really helpful is an HSA: Health Savings Account. Let’s talk through it, explain what it is, some of the rules, and why you would…

STEPHEN SMALENBERGER, EA ® So as we’re entering the new year, it’s a great time to review the employer benefits that your company offers you. Especially if it’s a larger company. What do you have? What should you have? And what changes can you make now in a fresh new year? So there’s three main…

One question I hear often is should I participate in my Employer Stock Purchase Plan. So let’s first talk about what it is and then some considerations around it. Employer Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) What is it? Often times this is a company that is publicly traded allowing you to buy into or have ownership…

Are there some decisions you think, “I’ll do that when I’m older?”  While there are some things that are OK to push off to tomorrow, there is one thing you need to do today. And that is your estate planning documents. We always think we can get to this later or we think this is…

One thing I want to challenge you in regards to your finances is called “Uncommon Cents”.  Financially, it might not make sense to others, but it makes sense to you and your goal in life. With everything you say and do, are you always try to make sense so people always understand you? Or have…

It’s that time of year again when we are adjusting the clocks, either springing forward or falling back.  We’re more aware of time because of our surroundings. Either it’s still light out longer or getting dark sooner.  Time is important. We never seem to have enough. We all have the same 24 hours in a…