Blog & Helpful Articles

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Are Irrevocable Trusts Really Irrevocable – Part II

26th Feb, 2025

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Are Irrevocable Trusts Really Irrevocable – Part II

From: www.aaepa.com

When I began practicing law, clients created irrevocable trusts with caution because the trust was then set in stone. By the time I left private practice, clients created irrevocable with more frequency and considerably less caution because changing irrevocable trusts became commonplace. Trusts and Estate practitioners have numerous options to consider if they want to change an irrevocable trust. The first part…

Real Estate or Stocks?

4th Feb, 2025

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Real Estate or Stocks?

From: www.linkedin.com (Wesley W. Fikes)

💰 $200K in Stocks vs. $200K in Real Estate – Which Wins?

Most people assume the S&P 500 is the safest path to wealth. But what if I told you real estate offers nearly double the net worth over 30 years—without taking wild market swings?

Let’s break it down (see the chart below):
🔹 Invest $200K in the S&P 500 → $𝟭.𝟴𝟲𝗠 in 30 years
🔹 Invest…

HOA Fees Can Be Tax-Deductible: Expert Explains What You Can Claim Back

4th Feb, 2025

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HOA Fees Can Be Tax-Deductible: Expert Explains What You Can Claim Back

From: www.realtor.com

It’s officially tax season. Attempt to control your glee.

But seriously: Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, was the first day that the Internal Revenue Service started accepting and processing 2024 income tax returns.

The deadline to file is Tuesday, April 15, 2025, which we all know is when you’re actually going to file (join the club!)

Homeowners have a…

Warren Buffett’s Investing Checklist

21st Jan, 2025

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Warren Buffett’s Investing Checklist

From: www.linkedin.com (Brian Stoffel)

Warren Buffett’s Investing Checklist:

“No wise pilot, no matter how great his talent and experience, fails to use his checklist.” – Charlie Munger

🏢 BUSINESS TENETS
1: Is the business understandable?
2: Do you know how the money is made?
3: Does the business have a consistent operating history?
4: Does the company have favorable long-term prospects?
5: Is there a big moat around the business?
6: Is it a business that…

The Best Flexible Strategies for Retirement Income

10th Jan, 2025

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The Best Flexible Strategies for Retirement Income

From: www.morningstar.com

Is a more dynamic approach to retirement spending right for you?

In our recent annual study on safe withdrawal rates, my colleagues Christine Benz, John Rekenthaler, and I found that retirees who want to maintain a consistent spending amount adjusted for inflation will need to keep their starting withdrawals at 4.0% or lower if they want to lock in a 90% probability of success…

The 10 Best Dividend Stocks 2025

10th Jan, 2025

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The 10 Best Dividend Stocks

From: www.morningstar.com

These undervalued stocks with reliable dividends are worth considering.

What should investors be looking for when it comes to choosing the best dividend stocks?

At Morningstar, we think that the best dividend stocks aren’t simply the highest-yielding dividend stocks. We suggest that investors look beyond a stock’s yield and instead choose stocks with durable dividends and buy those stocks when they’re undervalued.

“It’s really critical to be selective…

Advisor Helps Client Slash Taxes on Inherited Assets

26th Dec, 2024

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Advisor Helps Client Slash Taxes on Inherited Assets

From: rethinking65.com

After spotting red flags on a prior-year tax return, the advisor, an enrolled agent, dug deeper to find more tax-efficient solutions.

Like most financial advisors, Seth Thompson of Forward Financial Planning LLC prefers not to prepare tax returns for his clients. But by providing complimentary reviews of tax returns to onboarding and existing clients, he has uncovered tax issues missed by their outside…