Why is financial planning important?
General Information, Have MoneyA comprehensive financial plan serves as a framework for organizing the pieces of your financial picture. With a financial plan in place, you'll be better able to focus on your goals and understand what it will take to reach them.
One of the…
FINANCIAL PLANNING - HELPING YOU SEE THE BIG PICTURE
General Information, Have MoneyDo you picture yourself owning a new home, starting a business, or retiring comfortably? These are a few of the financial goals that may be important to you, and each comes with a price tag attached.
That's where financial planning comes in.…
6 RISKS TO A SECURE RETIREMENT
General Information, Have Money, HealthYou have dreams for retirement. But you need to understand six common risks most retirees face and take steps to protect your retirement dreams from these risks:
1. Health care expenses. Medical costs have risen at more than twice the rate…
Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (Municipal Bonds)
General Information, Have MoneyWhat is a tax-exempt bond fund?
A tax-exempt bond fund (sometimes known as a municipal bond fund or muni bond fund) invests in tax-exempt municipal debt instruments issued by state governments or agencies, counties, cities, towns, or other political…
Why are taxes hidden?
General Information, Have MoneyNot surprisingly, hidden taxes largely go unnoticed. The result may be that this can make it difficult for us to choose wisely the goods and services that we purchase, or to have a true accounting of our total tax burdens.
Sin taxes
General Information, Have MoneyA seemingly favorite way for government to tax is with the so-called "sin" taxes. Ostensibly, these taxes are imposed to reduce behavior that society considers unhealthy, immoral, or just undesirable in some way. That is why there is a tax on…
Planes, trains, and automobiles
General Information, Have MoneyMany hidden taxes are associated with travel. For example, when you pull up to the pump, you can clearly see the price for the gas, but the "taxes included" disclosure is usually posted somewhere else. How much of what you pay goes to tax revenue?…
How taxes are hidden
General Information, Have MoneyTaxes are hidden in many ways. For example, you see the payroll taxes that are deducted from your payroll check each pay period. What you do not see are the taxes that your employer pays. For example, in addition to income tax, your employer…
Hidden Taxes: What Is Your True Cost?
General Information, Have MoneyWe are pretty well aware of the taxes we must pay as U.S. citizens; income taxes, payroll taxes, sales taxes, property taxes, and gift and estate taxes, to name a few. We can easily see these taxes on our pay stubs, tax bills, and sales receipts.…