Blog

By Bill Mock, CFP^®, CRPC^®

Did you know that claiming Social Security is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make? Few people do, which may be why so many Americans claim as soon as they are eligible (typically at age 62). Whether your decision is based on “facts” overheard from friends, neighbors, and co-workers; emotions; or FOMO (the fear of missing out!), claiming at 62 can be a costly mistake that significantly decreases your monthly income for the rest of your life.

By Ben deBock, CFP^®

When I sat down with Mindy and Jim two years ago, they were in pretty good shape financially. With two children and a third on the way, they were diligent savers and had built a solid cushion to cover unexpected expenses. The challenge? They had no idea if they were actually saving enough, and they had no real vision of what they were saving for.

By Lance Ludwig, CFP^®

If you’re anything like most Americans, owning a home is one of your top financial priorities. In a recent survey by Chase, 87% of respondents said that buying a house is something they have always wanted. It’s a worthy goal. Not only can owning a house help to build your personal wealth, but a house is also likely to become your ‘home sweet home’ for many years to come. This makes deciding when to buy—and what to buy—among the most important financial decisions you’ll make in your lifetime.

By Ryan Fair, CPA, CFP^®

The end of summer has officially arrived. And while no one wants to say goodbye to long days and relaxing getaways, the time has arrived to get back to school, back to work and, at least in my case, back to some serious tax planning.

By Mike Bernard, CFP^®

On Monday, the Dow, the S&P 500, and the Nasdaq Composite all closed at new record highs. It’s great news for anyone with money in stocks. But as the markets continue to reach for the sky, many investors are wondering what to do next.

By Matt Hoke, CFP^®, ChFC

We recently celebrated sweet-sixteen birthdays for our twin “babies” (what happened to my tiny toddlers?!), so I suppose it’s no surprise that I have college planning on my mind.

By Kevin Korhorn, CFP®, ChFC, AIF®

One of my favorite parts of tax season is the NCAA Basketball Tournament. The tournament starts in the throes of tax season, so we are more than ready to have some fun when March Madness rolls around each year.

By Amy Masters, CFP®

It’s tax season at our offices right now. As a financial advisor, that means that I’m spending all of my days sitting down with clients to review their 2018 taxes and put a plan in place for the current year. What has surprised me this year? The number of people who have come in worried about their returns.

By Alysia Boehner, Certified Insurance Counselor

We’re headed for a record-setting Valentine’s Day. And though I hate to put a damper on this heart-filled holiday, the revelation that the majority of people are planning to spend more than ever on Valentine’s Day this year is less-than-great news for most gift givers this year.

By Ryan Fair

Tax season is officially here, which means taxpayers across the country are frantically trying to figure out exactly how the recent tax reform will impact their 2018 returns. It’s no surprise. While the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) was designed to simplify the tax code and streamline the process of filing, so far it has done the opposite, delivering confusion (at best) and, in some cases, downright uncertainty. Luckily, just in time for CPAs and accountants to help our clients tackle the job ahead, the IRS has finally provided some much-needed clarity.