Financial Planning

Should I Pay Off My Mortgage Before Retirement?

2023-05-11T14:57:05-04:00November 18th, 2022|Blog, Financial Planning, Retirement|

Should I Pay Off My Mortgage Before Retirement? By: Stacey Nickens As you prepare for your retirement, you may be considering whether or not you should hold a mortgage in retirement. You may be considering increasing your mortgage payments in order to pay off your mortgage earlier. If you are considering moving or downsizing [...]

5 Ways Giving Can Improve Your Financial Wellbeing

2023-11-20T17:30:22-05:00November 11th, 2022|Blog, Financial Planning|

As we head into the holiday season, I am filled with gratitude for my loved ones and community. Each day, I work to reflect on the ways my co-workers support me, the ways my community members improve my daily life, and the ways my family brings me joy. This sense of gratitude and abundance [...]

Your Take-Home Pay May Increase Under New 2023 Tax Rules

2023-05-11T14:57:41-04:00October 21st, 2022|Blog, Budgeting, Financial Planning, Taxes|

Your Take-Home Pay May Increase Under New 2023 Tax Rules By: Stacey Nickens With inflation on the rise, the IRS has expanded tax brackets, increased certain credits, and raised the standard deduction for the 2023 tax year. These changes could decrease many Americans' tax burdens by allowing more taxpayers to remain in lower income [...]

Do I qualify for student loan forgiveness?

2023-05-11T14:58:32-04:00September 2nd, 2022|Blog, Financial Planning|

Do I qualify for student loan forgiveness? By: Margaret Nickens In August, President Joe Biden announced a plan to forgive federal student loan debt and introduce a new income-driven repayment plan. He also extended the student loan payment pause through December 31, 2022. With these changes, you may be wondering whether or not your [...]

5 Tax Considerations for Self-Employed Individuals

2023-05-11T14:59:50-04:00July 22nd, 2022|Blog, Financial Planning, Taxes|

5 Tax Considerations for Self-Employed Individuals By: Stacey Nickens Deciding to become your own boss can be incredibly meaningful and freeing. As a self-employed person, you have much more control over your day-to-day schedule, your business structure, and so much more. At the same time, costs that were previously covered by an employer now [...]

Is Your Emergency Fund Too Small, Too Big, Or Just Right?

2023-05-11T15:03:12-04:00July 7th, 2022|Blog, Financial Planning|

Is Your Emergency Fund Too Small, Too Big, Or Just Right? By: Stacey Nickens Goldilocks didn't have to build an emergency fund. She knew that she could break into any number of bears' homes and have as much porridge as she needed, but the rest of us aren't so lucky. How much porridge do [...]

4 Tips for Managing Rising Inflation

2023-05-11T15:03:26-04:00June 22nd, 2022|Blog, Financial Planning, Inflation|

4 Tips for Managing Rising Inflation By: Stacey Nickens Inflation is on the rise, and while the Fed is raising interest rates to try to tamp down on rising costs, your budget is still likely hurting from inflationary pressures. You may see your expenses going up more quickly than your income, and as a [...]

IRS Raises Mileage Rates Due to Rising Gas Prices

2023-05-11T15:03:50-04:00June 17th, 2022|Blog, Financial Planning, Taxes|

IRS Raises Mileage Rates Due to Rising Gas Prices By: Stacey Nickens This summer, I've sat around many a dinner table, bemoaning the rise in gas prices. Many of us have seen our gas bills rise astronomically. Luckily, if you use your car for business, the IRS has recognized the rise in gas prices [...]

Investing to Manage Volatility, Inflation, & Rising Interest Rates

2023-05-11T15:05:42-04:00May 13th, 2022|Blog, Financial Planning, Inflation|

Investing to Manage Volatility, Inflation, & Rising Interest Rates By: Stacey Nickens Since the New Year, investors have been riding the stock market rollercoaster. As of mid May, all major indices have posted YTD losses. The conflict in Ukraine, rising interest rates, and inflation have all impacted market returns. With that said, how can [...]

Do you need long-term care insurance?

2023-05-11T15:06:13-04:00May 6th, 2022|Blog, Financial Planning, Insurance|

Do you need long-term care insurance? By: Stacey Nickens Historically, individuals didn't need to plan for their care in old age. Most people stayed and lived within the communities that they were born into, and younger family members were expected to care for aging relatives. However, industrialization and the centralization of jobs in cities [...]