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Top 10 Year-End Planning Ideas for 2019
As we approach the end of the year, it is always beneficial to establish and review financial goals to determine whether any additional actions should be taken. Any ideas we’ve included here take place subsequent to legislative changes that occurred two years ago with the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). It ... Top 10 Year-End Planning Ideas for 2019
Employee Spotlight: Meet the Team Member (Mary Radke)
This is the latest in a continuing series of posts where we feature a member of our team using a Q&A format so you can get to know them a little better – both personally and professionally. This week we’ll be interviewing Mary Radke, who joined Brown and Company in April of 2019 as a ... Employee Spotlight: Meet the Team Member (Mary Radke)
How Do You Plan for Goals That Are at Cross-Purposes?
Goal setting is at the heart of financial planning and, yet, frequently one of those goals has the potential to undermine another one. Consider a few common examples: I want to retire as soon as possible, and I want to pre-fund my children’s college education costs. I want to gift appreciated stock for tax purposes, and I need ... How Do You Plan for Goals That Are at Cross-Purposes?
Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage?
One of the most common questions we get from clients is whether they should pay off their mortgage as they near retirement. Like so many questions, the answer is “it depends.” But that doesn’t mean it has to be difficult to determine the right answer. We believe in using a simple methodology we call the Debt ... Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage?
Three Common Misconceptions About Medicare
One of the most prominent areas of concern for those nearing retirement is the cost of health care. For those who are age 65 or older, Medicare can play a crucial role in addressing this issue. However, the system is quite complex and can feel overwhelming to figure out all its various aspects. We’ll look ... Three Common Misconceptions About Medicare
Employee Spotlight: Meet the Team Member (Erin Buis)
This is part of a new series of posts where we feature a member of our team using a Q&A format so you can get to know them a little better – both personally and professionally. This week we’ll be interviewing Erin Buis, who joined Brown and Company in February of 2017 as Director of ... Employee Spotlight: Meet the Team Member (Erin Buis)
A Legacy That Really Matters: Resume Virtues vs. Eulogy Virtues
Often the focus of estate planning begins and ends with the execution of proper documents and the titling of assets. However, a proper estate plan should not be limited to those who have passed away and the avoidance of a death tax. Instead, its most important goal should be to provide “A Legacy for the ... A Legacy That Really Matters: Resume Virtues vs. Eulogy Virtues
Employee Spotlight: Meet the Team Member (Chad Hamilton)
This is the first in a new series of posts where we feature a member of our team using a Q&A format so you can get to know them a little better – both personally and professionally. We have added three new team members this year, and one of those is Chad Hamilton, who joined ... Employee Spotlight: Meet the Team Member (Chad Hamilton)
Business Transition Options: Assessing the Pros & Cons of Different Exit Strategies
If you own a closely-held business, it is crucial to have an exit strategy worked out in advance to help ensure that you meet the personal financial and business objectives you’re hoping to achieve. Below is a visual that shows the four primary exit routes for business owners: To understand which option is most appropriate ... Business Transition Options: Assessing the Pros & Cons of Different Exit Strategies
Creativity Starts with Empathy
One of the wisest sayings is “The more I learn, the less I know.” In 1817, the poet John Keats wrote, in a letter to his brother, about how the world is far more complex than we could ever imagine. Due to our limited experience and perceptive abilities, we only glimpse a small portion of reality. Seeking ... Creativity Starts with Empathy
Understanding Your Withdrawal Rate: How Much Can You Afford to Spend in Retirement?
The concept of a retirement withdrawal rate is a critical component of planning for successful financial independence. The withdrawal rate is a middle ground between two competing forces: maximizing cash flow in retirement, while simultaneously preserving the inflation-adjusted value of your investments over the long-term. By withdrawing too little, you can deprive yourself of discretionary ... Understanding Your Withdrawal Rate: How Much Can You Afford to Spend in Retirement?
Mortgage Rates Update
Mortgage rates in the U.S. fell to three-year lows recently, with the average 30-year fixed mortgage pricing at approximately 3.55% at the end of last week. The 3.55% rate approaches the lowest 30-year residential mortgage rates ever seen in the U.S. housing market, which occurred in 2016. While most economists initially forecasted flat to rising ... Mortgage Rates Update