Wealth Redefined

Thinking about buying a duplex? Learn the pros and cons, from financing and maintenance to tenant management and resale value, to decide if it's the right investment for you.

We'll review the basic parts of Medicare, enrollment deadlines, how to enroll, and some common costs you can expect.

Buffered ETFs offer downside protection with capped gains, making them an attractive option for cautious investors. Learn how buffered ETFs work and when they might fit into your portfolio.

You've taken the leap and started your own business. First, congratulations! It takes courage to step out on your own and build something from scratch. But now that you're officially in business, what comes next?

Tax season can feel overwhelming, especially when you're scrambling to pull everything together at the last minute. Whether you file your own taxes or work with a tax professional, an organized approach can help reduce stress and improve your outcome.

Creating and following a budget is one of the most powerful ways to gain control over your finances. But despite its benefits, many people avoid budgeting altogether. Why?

Adoption can be one of the most meaningful experiences in life—but it's no secret that it can also come with significant costs. Fortunately, the IRS offers adoption tax benefits designed to offset some of these costs. If you're planning to adopt or have recently completed an adoption, it's worth understanding how to claim these valuable tax credits.

If you've ever owned an older car, you've probably faced the tough choice: Should you spend the money to repair it, or is it finally time to buy something newer? This is a common situation, and it's totally normal to feel a bit torn between the practical side of things and your emotional connection to your vehicle.

Saving for your children's college education is one of the most important financial decisions you'll make as a parent. With the cost of higher education rising steadily, it's a great idea to start planning early and understand your options.

If your employer offers a Roth 401(k), consider giving it a closer look. It could become an essential part of your financial strategy, setting you up for a financially secure, tax-efficient retirement.

Reasonable compensation is one of the most misunderstood and debated topics for S-Corporation (S-Corp) owners. Despite its importance, misconceptions continue to circulate, often leading to IRS challenges or costly mistakes. Let's break down what reasonable compensation is, why it matters, and bust some of the most common myths.

Investing in mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) can be a great way to diversify your portfolio, but understanding fund reports is essential to making informed decisions. Fund reports contain a wealth of information about a fund's performance, strategy, and costs, but they can be overwhelming if you're not familiar with the terminology.

Timing is everything when it comes to balance transfers, and knowing when to use one is key to making the most of it. It can be a smart move for consolidating high-interest debt and speeding up your journey to being debt-free, but it's not a one-size-fits-all fix.

As tax season approaches, staying organized can save you time, stress, and even money. To make filing your 2024 tax return easier, here's a checklist of documents you may need, depending on your income sources, deductions, and tax credits.

Estate planning isn't just about organizing your assets or drafting a will. It's about creating a roadmap that ensures your wishes are honored and your loved ones are cared for. Communicating your estate plan to your family is helpful for several reasons.

Here are the biggest mistakes taxpayers make during tax season that can trigger IRS enforcement—and how you can avoid them.

I love this exercise because it avoids the head trash that can result from the pass/fail nature of goal-setting. Don't get me wrong, there is a time and place for setting goals. But for me, setting three words is much more effective when defining a theme for an entire year.

Here's a look at three common retirement income strategies—Systematic Withdrawals (Total Return with Rebalancing), the Bucket Strategy, and the Guardrails approach. Each one has its own strengths and challenges, depending on your goals, risk tolerance, and personal style.

While the S&P 500 can be a great foundation for a portfolio, investing solely in this one segment of the market may not always be the best approach. We'll explore several reasons why relying solely on the S&P 500 might not be the ideal strategy.

Losing your job is never easy, whether you saw it coming or it took you by surprise. Beyond the emotional toll, the financial uncertainty can be overwhelming. However, with thoughtful planning and strategic actions, you can protect your financial future and manage the transition to your next chapter with confidence.

The truth is, a 401(k) can be a powerful tool for building a secure retirement if you know how to use it wisely. We'll dive into five of the most common myths about 401(k) plans, debunk them, and provide clarity so you can make the most of your retirement savings strategy.

Presidential elections often bring a heightened sense of uncertainty to the stock market, but historical data suggests that the impact is not as significant or predictable as many might believe. Here are some key points to consider.

As your child becomes independent, there are a multitude of factors to consider. From health care access and insurance coverage to tax strategies and estate planning, it's a significant transition for both you and your child. By proactively addressing these issues, you can ensure a smoother path toward your child's independence while safeguarding your family's financial well-being.

You Need a Budget (YNAB) is a powerful tool that can help you manage your cash flow, save with intention, and spend with confidence. I'm going to walk you through the "right" way to set it up and use it. Or at least, MY way.

One tool in your fight against identity theft is a credit freeze. But what exactly is a credit freeze, and why should you consider implementing one?

Overspending is a common financial challenge that affects millions of people, regardless of income level or financial knowledge.

As a solo business owner, you're probably looking for ways to maximize your tax savings and secure your financial future. One powerful tool that can help you achieve both goals is the cash balance plan.

What makes the Solo 401(k) particularly attractive is its unique dual contribution structure. Unlike traditional employer-sponsored 401(k) plans, a Solo 401(k) allows you to contribute to your retirement savings in two capacities: as an employee and as an employer. This dual role can significantly boost your ability to save for retirement, potentially allowing you to contribute more than you could with other self-employed retirement plans like SEP IRAs or SIMPLE IRAs.

Debt-to-income is a key financial metric. It reflects your financial health and helps you build a stable and prosperous future.

When planning for your child's future education, one powerful tool at your disposal is the 529 plan. You may already be familiar with the basics of this tax-advantaged savings vehicle, but have you heard about "superfunding" a 529 plan?

By understanding the tax implications and implementing these strategies early, you can significantly improve your financial outcome when selling your house.

As you might expect, there is no one correct answer. Most importantly, it guides you toward your goals and provides a solid financial foundation for your life. So what does the typical financial plan contain, and what should it cover?

Investing in the biggest names in the stock market has always been tempting. These giants of the industry are often household names with a reputation for market dominance, and their stocks can potentially deliver impressive returns.

Remember these rules when sharing financial documents with your financial professional to make life easier for everyone and help keep your data secure.

Assigning a beneficiary to your vehicle can be a simple and effective way to ensure that your car, truck, or motorcycle is transferred to the person of your choice upon your death. This process, known as designating a transfer-on-death (TOD) beneficiary, can save your loved ones time, money, and the hassle of going through probate.

If you focus on these metrics and improve them over time, you will have a foundation of financial stability that will unlock potential in many other areas of your life.

SEP IRAs and Solo 401(k) both offer tax benefits and generous contribution limits. But they also have unique features that are different.

Our behavior related to money is driven by many factors. One factor can be our unconscious beliefs about money. These beliefs are called "money scripts," and they can significantly influence our habits and results with money.

Debt is not always bad, but it's often overused. Avoiding debt as much as possible is one of the best ways to avoid financial stress and make faster progress toward your financial goals.

Are you dreaming of buying a new home but struggling to come up with enough money for a down payment? If you have an IRA, you might be tempted to dip into it to fund your dream. But can you actually withdraw money from your IRA for a down payment on a home?

If you've ever wondered whether you can borrow from your 401(k), the answer is likely yes, but it comes with a host of considerations. Before you consider borrowing from your 401(k), you need to understand the mechanics of 401(k) loans, the potential downsides, and the risks involved.

By maintaining detailed records of all home improvements, you can maximize your chances of increasing your adjusted costs basis as much as possible when selling your home, which can minimize the capital gains taxes you might pay.

There are some myths as well as pros and cons of different down payment percentages. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or looking to upgrade, understanding your option for a down payment will help you make informed decisions and find the right plan for your situation.

To protect yourself, you need to arm yourself with the tools and knowledge necessary to spot the red flags of a scam and the strategies to avoid these potentially devastating intrusions.

Don't let inertia and the comfort of the status quo keep you from improving your bank experience. Switching banks is not that difficult and can make life easier if you put in a little time up front.

Umbrella insurance is an important component of a comprehensive insurance portfolio. It provides an extra layer of liability coverage, protecting you from the financial consequences of lawsuits and potentially saving your assets.

The Solo 401(k) is one of the best retirement plans available to business owners and can give you lots of flexibility when it comes to managing taxes and saving for retirement.

Under certain circumstances, a 529 to Roth IRA rollover can be a great way to use extra 529 funds in a tax-efficient way that benefits your child.

If you are interested in getting help with financial planning and investment management and you want to keep costs under control while avoiding conflicts of interest, consider working with a flat fee financial advisor. It can be a great way to level up your money.

Tax season can be a stressful time for many individuals, but it doesn't have to be. By understanding the essential tax documents you can't afford to miss, you can simplify the process and save yourself unnecessary stress.

It can be stressful when you find yourself unable to pay the IRS. It's a situation no one wants to be in, but it's important to know that there are steps you can take to address the issue and find a solution.