Should Retirement Funds Go Toward Current Needs   Presented by Marc Aarons   I hope you and yours are doing well. This past year has been financially trying for many individuals and families in the face of record inflation numbers and a looming recession (US Inflation Calculator). And with rising credit card debt that averaged […]

A Brief History of Estate Taxes Presented by Marc Aarons   Federal estate taxes have been a source of funding for the federal government almost since the U.S. was founded. In 1797, Congress instituted a system of federal stamps that were required on all wills offered for probate when property (land, homes) was transferred from […]

The Cost of Procrastination Presented by Marc Aarons Some of us share a common experience. You’re driving along when a police cruiser pulls up behind you with its lights flashing. You pull over, the officer gets out, and your heart drops. “Are you aware the registration on your car has expired?” You’ve experienced one of […]

Five Basics of Financial Literacy Presented by Marc Aarons Credit and Debt Understanding the ways credit and debt work for and against you are some of the first steps toward understanding personal finance. While it’s not useful to be scared of credit and debt and avoid it entirely, there are some things to look out […]

Countdown to College Presented by Marc Aarons As a parent, you of course want to give your child the best opportunity for success, and for many, attending the “right” university or college is that opportunity. Unfortunately, being accepted to the college of one’s choice may not be as easy as it once was. Additionally, the […]

Are You Prepared for an Estate Tax Sunset? Presented by Marc Aarons   The federal estate tax threshold rose to $25.84 million in 2023 for married couples and $12.92 million for individuals, as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). Like several TCJA provisions, the higher estate tax limit is due to sunset […]

A Bucket Plan to Go with Your Bucket List Presented by Marc Aarons   John and Mary are nearing retirement and they have a lot of items on their bucket list. Longer life expectancies mean John and Mary may need to prepare for two or even three decades of retirement. How should they position their […]

9 Facts About Retirement Presented by Marc Aarons Retirement can have many meanings. For some, it will be a time to travel and spend time with family members. For others, it will be a time to start a new business or begin a charitable endeavor. Regardless of what approach you intend to take, here are […]

Inventorying Your Possessions Presented by Marc Aarons Only four in ten Americans have a home inventory, despite the fact that 3.4 million Americans were displaced by natural disasters in 2022.1,2 It’s great to have insurance against damage and loss, but if you can’t show proof of your possessions, it may result in a protracted settlement […]

How to Make the Tax Code Work for You Presented by Marc Aarons By May 20, 2022, over 145 million taxpayers had dutifully filed their federal income tax returns. And they all made decisions about deductions and credits – whether or not they realized it.1 When you take the time to learn more about how […]