There was a big repricing of inflation expectations over February, as the January Consumer Price Index (CPI) showed an uptick in inflation and the January Jobs report was much stronger than expected. Here are 3 things you need to know: 2yr U.S. inflation breakevens were up +85 basis points (bps) to 3.18%, having ended January at just 2.33%. This was the second largest monthly move higher since...
After years of numerous delays, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has once again extended the REAL ID enforcement deadline from May 3, 2023, until May 7, 2025.1 What is a REAL ID? A REAL ID is a type of enhanced identification card. The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, set minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards. Under the Act,...
By: Paul Horn, CFP®, CPWA® Senior Financial Planner We live in a world that admires hard workers. As we grow up, we try our best to get into the best universities, graduate with honors, and have a solid start to our careers. We dream about having a job with a big title and everything that comes with it; financial liberty, luxurious trips, more time with loved ones, experience,...
If you are in the minority of Americans who are contemplating purchasing another home as a rental property or already own a rental property, you are probably doing fairly well in life to be in that position. Without running the numbers on your financial situation, the main question that we hope that you have the answer to is, “What happens to me financially if someone sues me?”. If your answer...
The IRS announced that the starting date for when it would accept and process 2022 tax-year returns was Monday, January 23, 2023. Tips for making filing easier To speed refunds and help with tax filing, the IRS suggests the following: Make sure you have received Form W-2 and other earnings information, such as Form 1099, from employers and payers. The dates for furnishing such information to...
(This is the fourth article in a four-part series. Click here to read Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.) By: Henry VanBuskirk, CFP®, Wealth Manager Everyone’s had that story of their friend or family member that said they got shafted by some seedy financial advisor. However, there is a huge difference between what is legal and what is ethical. The majority of these “seedy” financial advisors are...
Overall, January continued the strong bounce back seen for most global assets since October even if the performance seen in the first half of the month wasn’t quite matched in the second half. It was still the best January in several years for many assets. Here are 3 things you need to know: Q4 2022 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) came in above expectations at 2.9%. The increase primarily...
(This is the third article in a four-part series. Click here to read Part 1 and Part 2.) By: Henry VanBuskirk, CFP®, Wealth Manager Mr. Hill arrived in Texas and is eager to talk to his parents about the Roth Conversion idea that he overheard his boss talking about at work last week. Mr. Hill does not know his parents’ finances and just believes that a Roth Conversion will be a good idea...
(This is the second article in a four-part series. Click here to read Part 1). By: Henry VanBuskirk, CFP®, Wealth Manager We last left off our story with Mr. Fox understanding that the stock market doesn’t predictably earn a set 4% per year. While you may be able to predict the day that you retire, the market is indifferent to your projected retirement date and will do whatever it’s going to do...
(This is the first article in a four-part series) By: Henry VanBuskirk, CFP®, Wealth Manager Let me just start off and say that nobody’s perfect or infallible (including BFSG). As a wise man once said, “To Err is Human, to Forgive is Divine”. It is one thing to make a mistake, but another to learn from it. We pride ourselves on working to avoid pitfalls and always being eager to...
By: Paul Horn, CFP®, CPWA®, Senior Financial Planner Small business owners are the backbone of our economy and employ 48% of today’s workforce. Being a business owner is difficult and finding the right help can be even more challenging. Every business owner at some point will need to carefully consider how they plan to exit the business. Below are the eight most common ways for an owner to exit...
By: Henry VanBuskirk, CFP®, Wealth Manager Our thoughts go out to the victims of the recent California storms, and we hope that you and your family are safe. The IRS has declared the following counties to be within a federally declared disaster area and eligible for tax relief. Alameda, Colusa, Contra Costa, El Dorado, Fresno, Glenn, Humboldt, Kings, Lake, Los Angeles, Madera, Marin, Mariposa,...
Every year, the College Board releases new college cost data and trends in its annual report. The figures published are average cost figures based on a survey of approximately 4,000 colleges across the country. Over the past 20 years, the average price for tuition, fees, and room and board has increased 46% at public colleges and 30% at private colleges over and above increases in the Consumer...
2022 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure. In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an 'Annus Horribilis'. May the New Year 2023 be more prosperous. Here are 3 things you need to know: The S&P 500 index was off (-19.4%), the worst yearly decline since 2008.Long-term treasuries were down (-30%) as interest rates rose the...
By: Paul Horn, CFP®, CPWA®, Senior Financial Planner As the final part of the series, we look at Employee Stock Purchase Plans (ESPP). Although these are not explicitly for executives, this is an important benefit that is not well understood and often underutilized. In case you missed Part 1 on Deferred Comp plans and Part 2 on Stock Options, read here and here, respectively. Employee Stock...
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