You may be thinking that you do not have the need for an estate plan or at least there is no harm in delaying getting started with estate planning. The truth is that anyone with savings, debt, a spouse, children, a home, or a retirement plan needs to at least have the basics in place. […]
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When the tax deadline approaches, it can be stressful, especially if you are unsure if you have to pay the IRS. It’s too easy to procrastinate with that potential IOU looming over your head. However, having a game plan to organize and execute filing your taxes can take the bite out of tax season. Gathering […]
I personally think of financial independence as consisting of three different levels:
Preparing for retirement is an essential part of financial planning. Employer-sponsored retirement plans, such as 401(k) plans, are a common tool for saving. While contributing to a 401(k) can be a great way to save for retirement, it’s important to consider other options as well. First things first Are you fortunate enough to work for […]
Inflationary times and recessions offer opportunities, and those who prepare can take advantage of them.
I recently spoke to a friend who was scared of getting laid off. She asked me how she could prepare for a layoff. The following was the guidance I gave her: Stop paying extra on debts and start stockpiling cash. I know this may sound counter-intuitive to many people, but if you are […]
As always, I seem to owe a bit extra each year (that’s by design) when doing my taxes. This annual ritual has me thinking about which strategies might help me shave off tax dollars now and next year. Here are a few strategies that come to mind. Contribute more to your retirement plan at work […]
When it comes to tax strategies, sooner is better than later. Disclaimer: Consult with a tax professional before taking action. Let’s take a look at three easy tax strategies that might save you substantial amounts of money come tax time. Give your paycheck a checkup It is always a good time to double-check your W-4 […]
Depending on the choices you have, choosing a healthcare plan can be frustrating – with different plans that have different structures and costs, how will you know which one is best for you and your family? Start with any tools your employer offers Your benefit provider may offer access to tools that help with this […]
What if you want to invest in real estate without all the risks and hassles of being a landlord? Another option is to invest in a REIT (real estate investment trust), which is kind of like a mutual fund for rental properties (although there are mutual funds of REITs too). Let’s look at some things […]
Financial Finesse’s 2019 Year in Review Research Study & The Impact of a New Normal Post COVID-19 View the entire COVID-19 best practices abstract “The Impact of a New Normal” here. 1. Question: What were the most significant takeaways from the 2019 Year in Review report? Answer: For this year’s report we looked at how engagement in online, group, […]
By now I’m sure you’ve heard that qualifying US taxpayers will be receiving a stimulus check, or what’s technically called your economic impact payment. If not, here’s what the IRS wants you to know. Beyond that, keep reading for a few tips on how to best make use of the funds once you receive them. […]
Linda Robertson CFP®, ChFC®, CEBS, MSFSPersonal Financial Coach Philadelphia, PA Years of Experience 28 Specialty Areas Benefits PlanningRetirementTaxes Education Masters in Financial Planning, The American CollegeB.S. in Finance, West Chester University My Story Linda has a keen ability to bring financial planning and workplace benefits planning together to help employees maximize their benefits. She is […]
For people who strive to put the maximum amounts away into accounts with annual limits such as 401(k)/403(b) plans and Health Savings Accounts, switching jobs mid-year requires some additional diligence to make sure you’re not going over. Most company benefits departments will take steps to ensure you don’t go over the limit with contributions from […]
When it comes to investing, we talk a lot about “asset allocation” but what about “asset location?” Are you investing in the right account(s) for your goal(s)? Let’s take a look at some common financial goals and which account(s) might be best for them: Emergency fund The key here is easy access to your money […]
Do you feel overwhelmed thinking about retirement planning? It’s one of the most common topics we’re asked about. One way to make it more manageable is to break it down into a series of decisions: How much do you need to save? This is the most complex and the most important question. After all, none […]
One of the areas that I find to have the most misconceptions is taxes. After all, Einstein is quoted as saying that the hardest thing to understand is the income tax…and that’s when it was a lot simpler than it is now! Here are the biggest ones I’ve seen as a financial planner: Myth 1: […]
Does everyone need a financial plan? Apparently Wealthfront’s co-founder and CEO doesn’t think so. He claims that young people don’t really need a plan if they’re either single and currently saving money, or married, currently saving money, and not planning to have kids, or are single and can’t save. He argues that the first two […]
One of the greatest joys of my life is my brother, Michael. Despite the fact that he has special needs, he always has a smile on his face every time I see him and the excitement in his voice when we talk warms my heart. Recently, my mother and I were reflecting on what we […]
Do you know how your retirement accounts will be taxed at retirement? If not, you might want to get up to speed with the IRS tax code (or work with an advisor who is) otherwise you may be missing out on some significant tax savings. Let’s start with the basics of how different sources of […]