By Kevin Theissen In late February, concern that efforts to contain Coronavirus Disease 2019 (a.k.a. COVID-19) might result in slower global economic growth disrupted global markets. Share prices fell as economists and financial analysts revised growth expectations, and investors worried about the possibility of recession. Efforts to contain the virus have included quarantines, factory and…

Taxes are one of the biggest budget items for most taxpayers, yet many have no idea what they’re getting for their money. We all want to mitigate taxes and make sure you pay exactly what you owe – and not a penny more – but that doesn’t always make it feel any easier when writing…

In an online poll conducted by YouGov, creditcards.com asked people how open and honest they are with their spouses and partners about money. The survey discovered financial infidelity is not uncommon. Respondents cheat financially in a variety of ways, including: 34% have spent more than their spouse/partner would approve 12% have secret debt 10% have…

The reason withdrawals from a traditional Individual Retirement Account (IRA) prior to age 59½ are generally subject to a 10% tax penalty is that policymakers wanted to create a disincentive to use these savings for anything other than retirement. Yet, policymakers also recognize that life can present more pressing circumstances that require access to these…

By Kevin Theissen The best place to retire in the United States is in dispute. There’s no formal debate, but a review of various publications showed surveys have named different states and cities as the “best” place to retire. For instance: Iowa was No. 1 in a best places to retire survey cited by Yahoo!…

By Kevin Theissen By April 19, 2019, 137 million taxpayers had filed their federal income tax returns.  And they all made decisions about deductions and credits – whether they realized it. When you take the time to learn more about how it works, you may be able to put the tax code to work for…

by Kevin Theissen The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act is now law. With it, comes some of the biggest changes to retirement savings law in recent years. While the new rules don’t appear to amount to a massive upheaval, the SECURE Act will require a change in strategy for many Americans.…

The start of the new year is here and you might be thinking of tackling those extra pounds with a gym membership. The cost of a membership to your local fitness center can be pricey, especially if you are looking for a modern facility with a wide selection of the most current equipment. But there…

Not everyone is financially prepared for retirement. Earlier this year, the Employee Benefit Research Institute estimated almost 41% of American households will run short of money in retirement. Believe it or not, that’s an improvement over 2014 when almost 43% of 35- to 64-year-olds were unprepared. Here is some good news: Many Americans are doing…

By Kevin Theissen Most understand that waiting to claim Social Security benefits can result in higher monthly payments. However, many don’t know that there are other ways to maximize their benefits, some of which depend on their marital status. Understanding the strategies for maximizing your Social Security retirement income benefits should be prefaced with a…

Each month you settle down to pay bills. You pay your mortgage lender. You pay the electric company. You pay the trash collector. But do you pay yourself? One of the most basic tenets of sound investing involves the simple habit of “paying yourself first,” in other words, making the first payment of each month…

Some of us share a common experience. You’re driving along when a police officer pulls up behind you with lights flashing. You pull over, the officer gets out, and your heart drops. “Are you aware the registration on your car has expired?” You’ve experienced one of the costs of procrastination. Procrastination can cause missed deadlines,…

Everyone loves a winner. If an investment is successful, most people naturally want to stick with it. But is that the best approach? It may sound counter intuitive, but it may be possible to have too much of a good thing. Over time, the performance of different investments can shift a portfolio’s intent — and…

Money Matters by Kevin Theissen Imagine driving a car without a basic understanding of the rules of the road, or even how to operate it. Scary thought. Yet many Americans are operating their personal finances with only the barest minimum of knowledge. One study by the FINRA Investor Education Foundation found that, when asked five…

ByKevin Theissen The Social Security program allows you to start receiving benefits as soon as you reach age 62. The question is, should you? Monthly payments differ substantially depending on when you start receiving benefits. The longer you wait (up to age 70), the larger each monthly check will be. The sooner you start receiving…