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Financial Design Studio Thanksgiving

[Video] A Thanksgiving Greeting

STEPHEN & MICHELLE SMALENBERGER, CFP ® Happy Thanksgiving 🦃 from Michelle and Steve! Were there big changes in your life this year? Let’s sit back and reflect on all to be thankful for this holiday!

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Financial Design Studio Understanding Stock Gifts

[Video] Understanding Stock Gifts

MICHELLE SMALENBERGER, CFP ® Let’s take some time to talk about the behind-the-scenes of stock gifts.  This is when you are giving stock you own to charities or not-for-profit organizations.  That’s exactly what is happening you give them shares of stock because you want to give them money. One benefit to you is that you…

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| Fee-Only Financial Advisor, Deer Park, Chicago, IL FDS Financial Professionals

[Video] Small Business Retirement Plan Options: 401(k)

STEPHEN SMALENBERGER, EA ® We have already talked about setting up a retirement plan for a company that’s not incorporated.  What if your company is incorporated? What options are available now with a 401(k) and what’s different? With an S-Corp you’re required to pay yourself a reasonable salary. This just means that out of your…

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Financial Design Studio Move Forward

[Video] Stepping Back to Move Forward

MICHELLE SMALENBERGER, CFA ® This summer our daughter started swimming lessons outside again and we were reminded of the progress she had made the year before.  The first week into her second year we noticed it was a little bit tough and she was starting to doubt herself. We just realized that sometimes you make…

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Financial Design Studio One Big Goal

[Video] One Big Goal or Many Small Goals

MICHELLE SMALENBERGER, CFP ® We recently took a road trip and along the way it was my turn to drive.  I was sitting at the steering wheel thinking about how long the trip was and getting frustrated.  I eventually realized that instead of thinking about it in that way, as one BIG goal, I needed…

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Financial Design Studio 529 State Tax Deduction Header

[Video] Understanding the 529 State Tax Deduction

Here’s an interesting fact about 529 plans:  All 50 states have their own plans. Out of those 50, 30 plus states allow for a state tax deduction.  Out of those 30 there are 6 that allow you to contribute to any state but take the deduction on your state tax return. Let’s explain this in…

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