There is a certain legal document that is often frequently overlooked. Most people are ignorant to its importance, and most lawyers do not discuss it. The document is called the temporary guardianship/custody form and associated copy of a minor’s insurance…
When clients provide me with a mortgage interest statement, they assume that all of the mortgage interest will be tax-deductible. This assumption was somewhat true under the tax laws before 2018, but since 2018, it will be true only on…
Over the past few days you have inevitably heard that the markets have declined in value. We would also likely believe that this message has likely been delivered to you in a way that highlights fear, and further impending doome…
This article has two purposes: First, to highlight the typically unknown risk of owning a home that lacks full-time residents. Second, to explain the difference of what it means for a home to be either unoccupied or vacant. The nuances of these two…
There seems to be a lot of talk in the news these days about active investing and passive investing. It appears that a lot of people don't really know the whole story. When people use the terms active investing and…
There has been much in the news about fiduciaries recently given that the Trump administration may be considering the delay or repeal of the Department of Labor's proposed fiduciary rule. As with most news features, it can be difficult to…
The personal financial services industry is going through a major metamorphosis for the better, and it is creating a true profession. At present, the overwhelming majority of the financial industry is sales- and relationship-driven. The majority of advice that financial…
It’s not uncommon to consider paying off your mortgage when you get close to retirement or come into a large sum of cash. It’s also not uncommon for many financial advisors to recommend maintaining or even taking out a mortgage…
1. Guessing Monthly Costs. When you develop your budget, you will need to estimate some expenses if you are uncertain about actual costs; however, over the next few months, you should refine your estimates so that you know what you…
To me personal budgeting is a lot like dieting. If I diet and blow the diet, I eat even more. If I set a budget and then blow the budget, I spend even more. [Psychologically I already feel badly so…