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Mike

Gifting Assets as Part of Long-Term Care Planning

August 14, 2018 By Mike

House wrapped with red bow
Source: iStock. Used by permission.

From time to time I get a question about whether an elderly parent should transfer their home or investment accounts to their children while they are still living. Usually the reasoning is that if they need to go into a nursing home for any length of time, the expenses will drain their assets and there will be very little money, if any, to pass down to their heirs. [Read more…] about Gifting Assets as Part of Long-Term Care Planning

Filed Under: Long Term Care (LTC) Planning, Planning Tagged With: Estate Planning, LTC

2018 Q2 Review

July 30, 2018 By Mike

2018 Q2 Index Return Chart. 2018 Q2 Review
(Click Image for Larger Version) Source: iShares, Vanguard, S&P, Ataraxia Advisory Services

In a Nutshell

  • U.S. Stocks solid in spite of tariff uncertainty. International stocks, not so much.
  • Bonds in middle of a rough patch. The Federal Reserve isn’t helping.
  • Econ 201 – The yield curve and threat of inversion
  • Strong dollar impacts international stocks and (some) commodities

[Read more…] about 2018 Q2 Review

Filed Under: Markets

The HSA as a Retirement Account

June 26, 2018 By Mike

HSA Retirement Savings

If you are in a High Deductible Health Insurance Plan (HDHP), you have access to one of the best retirement savings vehicles available today, the Health Savings Account. Yes, you read that correctly, in my opinion, your Health Savings Account, or HSA, is best thought of as a retirement account. [Read more…] about The HSA as a Retirement Account

Filed Under: Insurance Planning, Retirement Planning, Tax Planning Tagged With: Insurance, LTC, Taxes

Social Security Strategies for Married Couples

June 1, 2018 By Mike

One of the most valuable assets retirees have are their Social Security benefits. Depending on an individual’s longevity and income over their career, Social Security payments could ultimately total upwards of $1,000,000. Unfortunately, based on my experience, many people haven’t given much thought as to how they can maximize this benefit. And because of how Social Security is coordinated for a married couple, poor planning can potentially result in several hundred thousand dollars of lost benefits over a lifetime.

[Read more…] about Social Security Strategies for Married Couples

Filed Under: Planning, Retirement Planning Tagged With: Social Security

2018 Q1 Review

April 27, 2018 By Mike

2018 Q1 Return Chart
(Click Image for Larger Version) Source: iShares, Vanguard, S&P, Ataraxia Advisory Services

In a Nutshell

  • Volatility returns to stock markets
  • Rising interest rates continue to impact bonds
  • Signs of inflation?

[Read more…] about 2018 Q1 Review

Filed Under: Markets Tagged With: Investing

2017 Q4 and Year in Review

January 29, 2018 By Mike

2017 Q4 Index Returns
(Click Image for Larger Version) Source: iShares, Vanguard, S&P, Ataraxia Advisory Services

In a Nutshell –

  • U.S. Stocks close out a historically low year of volatility.
  • International stocks are gaining strength.
  • It may be time for bonds to drop the sails and start rowing.
  • Can I use my tulip bulbs or Beanie Babies to buy Bitcoin?

[Read more…] about 2017 Q4 and Year in Review

Filed Under: Markets Tagged With: Investing

Miscellaneous End of Year Tax Stuff (short)

December 26, 2017 By Mike

One of the big tax law changes for 2018 is the doubling of the standard deduction. If you find yourself among the millions of Americans that who have itemized deductions in the past but will no longer need to, think about pulling some of your normally deductible activities forward into 2017. This way you may be able to one last time get the tax benefits you would otherwise lose. A couple of end of year tax ideas: [Read more…] about Miscellaneous End of Year Tax Stuff (short)

Filed Under: Tax Planning Tagged With: Charity, Taxes

Harvesting Investment Gains

December 12, 2017 By Mike

Many investors and financial advisors now employ a tax management strategy known as tax-loss selling or harvesting losses. Alternatively, some investors could also take advantage of harvesting gains but many of them don’t. I find this is usually because they don’t know about it or think they wouldn’t qualify for a 0% capital gains tax. [Read more…] about Harvesting Investment Gains

Filed Under: Tax Planning Tagged With: Income, Taxes

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