Finances & Your Family

Traditional IRA/401(k) & Roth IRA/401(k) Which is best? [Video]

How do you decide between a Traditional IRA/401(k) & Roth IRA/401(k)? In a prior video we talked about the three different types of account registrations to decide between when saving: Taxable, Tax-Deferred, and Tax-Free.  Let’s focus on tax deferred and tax free.  Both of those are retirement focused so let’s walk through how much you…

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Caution: Speed Bumps Ahead

MICHELLE SMALENBERGER, CFP® Fasten your seatbelts for bumps ahead!  Let’s review some of the main stories driving market activity this week. CORPORATE EARNINGS: Companies have reported strong earnings which have continued to push up stock prices.  Large gains from companies like Boeing, Ford, Verizon, and AT&T, among many others have reaffirmed confidence in their stock….

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[Video] How Tax-Deferred Accounts Work

STEPHEN SMALENBERGER, EA There are only three types of accounts: Taxable Tax-Deferred Tax-Free We focused on the Taxable accounts last time.  Let’s jump in now and look at the second, Tax-Deferred. The accounts in this registration category include the following: Traditional IRA Traditional 401(k) Traditional 403(b) Traditional 457 Thrift Savings Plan The movement of money…

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Power of Attorney

[Video] Is Your Power of Attorney Accessible?

MICHELLE SMALENBERGER, CFP® As it’s the summer and we’re all excited to go off to a vacation somewhere nice and lay on the beach, or be in the sunshine, I’m sure that many of us are probably forgetting to pack something that’s really important. Today we’re going to be talking about “packing” your POA, or…

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Teachable Moments

[Video] Having Teaching Moments With Your Kids About Money

STEPHEN SMALENBERGER, EA Having Teachable Moments With Your Kids About Money Earlier this year my wife and I were able to take our daughter to Disney world. And about that same time my mom pulled out my old bank. And it was through those lessons, through seeing Disney, through seeing mickey and her princesses that…

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Leader - Megaphone

Who has your attention?

Written by: Michelle Smalenberger, CFP ® Did you know someone is always watching you?  No I’m not talking about technology or the government, and the increasing awareness we have that so many things are connected.  I’m talking about an awareness that you are being watched by someone who either looks up to you, learns from…

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