Weekly Wrap-up

The US tax code is a progressive tax where the more you earn, the more tax you will pay.  One progressive tax that affects retirees is the Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount or IRMAA.  IRMAA is an extra charge on Medicare premiums for people with higher incomes....

When it comes to understanding average funeral costs, there is a lot to consider.  You must take into account your loved ones’ final wishes.  I recently wrote about my own father’s death.  We had moved him to California to be with family in his last months.  His wish...

Having recently watched my father pass was a horrible experience.  My father had been in nursing home care for about a year, and we watched him steadily decline.  My family tried everything we could to keep his health robust and provide any medical services that could...

U.S. Treasury yields rose last Wednesday after the Federal Reserve kept rates steady but also hinted that it would implement another rate hike before the end of 2023. As a result, the 2-year Treasury yield increased to 5.167%, up nearly 6 basis points. Meanwhile, the...

Smart Tax Planning Strategies Most people put off tax planning until the April deadline or end of year statement shuffling and accounting. By then, it’s often more about the last-minute calculating of tax responsibilities, than a more proactive approach. Efficient tax...

Americans with student loan debt have gotten an almost three-year reprieve on their loan payments.  As part  of the pandemic relief measure, the government paused student loan payments eight times since March 2020.  This pause will end August 30, 2023. In 2022, the...

It can feel like life is a never-ending rollercoaster that leaves us feeling overwhelmed, stressed and frankly unhappy.  I’ve been experiencing my own personal chaos – kids growing up and leaving the nest, caring for an elderly parent, ongoing challenges in my...

We have seen inflation decline down to 4%, as reported in June 2023.  At the same time, we’ve seen the equity markets improve with the S&P 500 Index returning almost 16% and the MSCI EAFE (international) Index returning 11.67% (year to date as of 6/30/2023). ...

As a busy, independent professional juggling countless responsibilities and commitments, managing your finances can often take a backseat. You don’t know where to start. You get lost trying to fill in a spreadsheet your friend sent you. Or you don’t know who to talk...

Key Takeaways Investment-grade bonds, US Treasury securities, high-yield bonds, floating-rate loans, and stocks of gold miners are among the income investments that may offer opportunities in the second half of 2023. Investing in a wide variety of assets may help...