By Glenn J. Downing, MBA, CFP®
What is the best tax bargain out there?
Is it the 529 college savings plan? Let’s see. That is funding with after tax dollars, but the funds grow without taxation and come out without taxation when used for qualified higher education...
by Glenn J. Downing, MBA, CFP®
As I noted in Part I, an annuity is a complex financial animal. It can be used as a tool to accumulate funds on a tax-advantaged basis. It can also be used efficiently to distribute funds in later years, which is my focus here in Part II. ...
Glenn J. Downing, MBA, CFP®
An annuity is a complex financial animal. It can be used as a tool to accumulate funds on a tax-advantaged basis. It can also be used efficiently to distribute funds in later years. Here in Part I I’m focusing on the accumulation phase....
By Glenn J. Downing, MBA, CFP®
Q: I’m in financial trouble. Should I take out a 401k withdrawal?
This is a tough question, and the answer is generally, Not unless you truly need it. A direct withdrawal from a 401(K) before age 59 ½ is a last-resort option, with...
By Glenn J. Downing, MBA, CFP®
Q: I have a lot of high interest credit card debt. Should I take out a 401k loan?
This is a question we come across not uncommonly. There is a lot to like about doing this, but a big potential tax trap as well.
I want to distinguish...
By Glenn J. Downing, MBA, CFP®
The SIMPLE IRA is the Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees. The SIMPLE allows for both employer contributions and employee deferrals. The plan is deal for employers who want to contribute something – but not a lot – to employee retirement...
by Jonathan G. Cameron, CFP®
Young professionals are expected to accomplish a lot early in life. You’re beginning to make real money. Time to get sound financial advice to establish a good foundation from someone you trust. The problem is most financial advisors focus primarily on...
by Jonathan G. Cameron, CFP®
1. Create a budget.
If this sounds too obvious, I’ll say it again for reinforcement – are you maintaining a budget? Seriously. Miami is one of the flashiest cities in the world. If you don’t have a budget I’ll put it another way...
by Jonathan G. Cameron, CFP®
Congratulations! You've read Your First Home Purchase Part I and Part II and taken the advice to heart. Now you’re a first-time home owner in Miami, FL and you’re settling into your new place. The first year of home ownership brings many...
by Jonathan G. Cameron, CFP®
A first home purchase is a big financial commitment. Not only are you taking on a mortgage, but you often need to deplete cash reserves to come up with the down payment. But what if you don’t have enough socked away for a down payment? or what if you...
By Glenn J. Downing, MBA, CFP®
With this blog post I’m beginning a two-part series about retirement savings plans available to the small business owner. Earlier Jonathan wrote about the Traditional IRA and the Roth IRA. In this piece I’m going to explain the Simplified...
By Glenn J. Downing, MBA, CFP®
Last year (2019) I watched the entire Upstairs Downstairs series on Britbox. Easily sixty episodes in all. My viewing interests are usually limited to either WWII or British crime stories, so this was a bit of a departure for me, and one I thoroughly enjoyed. As...
