Hopefully you’ve survived Tax Day and looking for some good news? I have a quick tip that might give you some hope and fun. Every year I suggest that you search the online government databases for any possible unclaimed assets. It’s quick and only takes five minutes. A couple years ago I found some old…
Instead of April 15 as the final day for taxes to be completed and postmarked (or e-filed), this year it’s Tuesday, April 18. And it’s all because of a little-known holiday in Washington. Tax day is pushed to the next business day if April 15 falls on a Saturday or Sunday. But this year, tax…
It’s Spring Break in Colorado Springs and I’ve been reflecting on the “holiday” called Spring Break this week. I grew up in Virginia and I don’t remember ever having a “Spring Break” during my grade school and high school years. I do remember having Good Friday and the Monday after Easter off. We always looked…
Many of you are aware I went through the most difficult and challenging time of my life, years ago, during divorce. I have a special place in my heart for anyone who is going through this. The process can be devastating, the decisions overwhelming, and seeing your children hurting and confused is agonizing. There are…
You’re 2nd Half is just ahead of you. Are you ready? If you’re IN your 2nd Half, is it what you hoped for? There are phases or chapters as you prepare and live through your 2nd Half. Being prepared and clear on your expectations for each chapter is critical to your success. I’ve seen those…
Tuesday night President Trump spoke to a joint session of Congress and said, “The stock market has gained almost $3 trillion in value since the election on November 8, a record.” I’m not the fact checker, however it is true that we’ve seen an unprecedented rise (unexpected for many) in the market. In the last…
We all have filing cabinets and boxes of statements and records that we retain … “just in case”. I cover 22 different types of documents and how long you should keep each. Read more… When I started in the 80’s the permanent copy was only the paper copy. We had a file room dedicated only…
I continue to meet with folks who have overlooked valuable Social Security options. I agree the options can be complex and confusing. That’s our job to help you sort them out and understand which strategy is best for you. These don’t have to be you: Filing too early Filing too late (it’s not always best…
These tools if used properly can make a huge difference to your heirs and estate plans. TOD, JTWROS…what do these obscure acronyms signify? They are shorthand for transfer on death and joint tenancy with right of survivorship – two designations that permit automatic transfer of bank or investment accounts from a deceased spouse to a Read…
When a spouse passes away, the emotion and magnitude of the loss can send our lives reeling. I’ve seen it many times. I’ve watched spouses who are prepared and those who aren’t. It’s rarely easy. Many of us may have watched our parents or grandparents experience this dramatic change. This profound change can affect us…