Paying for college isn’t cheap and it’s not getting cheaper, whether you’re planning for kids or grandkids. Here's why a 529 plan is a great first step toward making sure your children or grandchildren can achieve their educational aspirations.
6 ways to use required IRA and 401(k) distributions you don't need to save taxes and make an impact on loved ones and causes you care about.
All investments involve risk but not all risks are equal. Are you investing or speculating? Both have a place but come with different risks and outcomes. What are the differences and how can you place each one properly in your plan?
What separates successful investment strategies from those that fail? It’s usually not expert stock picking or timing the market – it’s leveraging what you control to your advantage. There are some things we don’t control: the market, tax laws, and inflation rates. But there are many things we do control: saving, spending, and sticking to your investment strategies. These 6 steps can help build an investment strategy based on what you can control.
Health Savings Accounts, or HSAs, can be a great way to pay for healthcare expenses and save taxes. And, with these 3 tips, you can significantly increase your HSA's impact.
A discussion of giving too much away might initially seem strange. But, if you’re not careful, you might inadvertently end up with a tax bill on funds you give away. This is called the gift tax and the IRS expects you to know it. After all, they’ve generously listed it on their website for you to read! So, how does it work?
An introduction to Socially Responsible Investing and how you can choose an approach that aligns your values and resources.
The Mega Backdoor Roth 401(k) has typically been reserved for select Fortune 500 companies. Here's how you - the Solopreneur - can access this little known strategy!
Why is my portfolio underperforming the S&P 500? Do I need to make a change? These questions are on the minds of many investors when a primary index like S&P 500 rallies ahead of many others. As one of the most widely recognized benchmarks, it's common to compare your strategy against it – but should you?
A first meeting – or “first date” – with a professional like a financial advisor can be uncomfortable. Believe it or not, it can feel just as uncomfortable for the professional. But it doesn't have to be! Our Alterra Fit Interview creates an open, comfortable, productive first discussion and enables us to discover together if we're a good fit and your best next steps - whether with or without us!
There’s no getting around it – recessions are stressful. The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic is just the most recent reminder. Recessions bring volatility, uncertainty, anxiety and the urge to act – do something, anything, to make sure I’m safe. This is often where people make mistakes. Here are a few common ones we see and how to avoid them so you’re ready the next time around.
Turning 65? Medicare can be a daunting topic, but this guide should help understand your options and build your plan to successfully enroll!
“Why are you throwing away money on rent when you could own?” Have you ever heard this? Its core assertion is that renting a home is an expense while owning a home is an investment. For most homeowners, however, this is unlikely to be the case.
We don’t see this as the next Great Depression. Why? Well, historically, major economic downturns have different causes, but one common thread separates the Great Depression from each subsequent recession and recovery.
Microsoft led the way in a rarely utilized benefit within their 401(k) plan – the after-tax Roth conversion. And, slowly but surely, other companies are adopting this plan feature. So, how does it work, what other companies offer it and is it worth it?
