2025 Contribution Limits
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Even though it doesn’t feel like it sometimes, contribution limits are indexed to inflation.

#TBT The Economics of a Thanksgiving Turkey
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This article should give you something fun to discuss this year.

Comparing Vanguard Total Market Fund Strategies (VT vs. VTI and VXUS)
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By adding a little complexity and blending a portfolio of VTI and VXUS, you create the opportunity for three layers of benefits.

#TBT Both Spouses Can Make The HSA Catch-Up Contribution
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The IRS is clear, “If both spouses are 55 or older and not enrolled in Medicare, each spouse’s contribution limit is increased by the additional contribution. Each spouse must make the additional contribution to his or her own HSA.”

How to Obtain Your Social Security Statement and Full Earnings Record
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Step one to the Social Security Analysis is obtaining the necessary information.

Freedom Investing in Review (September 2024)
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This quarter, we saw that in 1-year returns ending September 30, 2024, Developed Freedom Investing had a -0.29% disadvantage, Emerging Market Freedom Investing had a -4.36% disadvantage, and Overall Freedom Investing had a -1.53% disadvantage.

How to Update Tax Withholding at Schwab
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The steps to declare your tax withholding elections are fairly simple to accomplish online.

#TBT Don’t Increase Your Bond Allocation In Bear Markets
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There is an artistry to a bond allocation, and while historical analysis can only be suggestive, it does tell a strong narrative.

How To Distribute from A College America 529 Plan to an Account Owner
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You can distribute any amount of money to the account owner for any reason, but only distributions which are reimbursing for qualified education expenses are tax and penalty free.

How To Distribute from A College America 529 Plan to a Designated Beneficiary
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You can distribute any amount of money to the designated beneficiary for any reason, but only distributions which are reimbursing for qualified education expenses are tax and penalty free.

#TBT Vote Early Instead of Voting Absentee (Virginia)
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Voting early is as easy as voting in-person. You can vote whenever is convenient for you including right now.

How To Distribute from A College America 529 Plan to a College
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Any qualified education expense for the benefit of the designated beneficiary which is paid to an eligible educational institution can be paid from the 529 plan directly.

Schwab’s Investor Checking Account Cited as Favorite Checking Account
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I was surprised that Charles Schwab’s High Yield Investor Checking account was the only named recommended checking account.

Inheriting a Joint Account at Charles Schwab
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Before you say, “Oh, that doesn’t sound too hard,” you simply haven’t thought of the complexity.

Set-Up Your New Social Security Login
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Once you set up your new login, the next time you return to Social Security, you can login using the “Sign in with LOGIN.GOV” button instead and your new credentials.

#TBT How Much Umbrella Insurance Do I Need?
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This 2015 article reminds us of the benefits of umbrella insurance. We recommend $2 to $5 million of umbrella coverage for typical families with assets over $300,000.

Three Ways to Find Full Account Numbers on Schwab.com
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Furthermore, it is difficult for clients to locate the full account number through simple clicking around the online portal. Instead, you have to know where to look.

#TBT How Does The Fed Control Interest Rates In A Free Market?
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This 2014 article is a good reminder of how interest rates work in our country.

Implement a Savings Waterfall for 2024
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With a savings waterfall, you immediately know which buckets to fill when there is excess and which should remain dry if there isn’t enough for all your goals.

How to Calculate Your Own Safe Spending Rate
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We have attempted in this article to provide generic guidance on the topic of calculating your own safe spending rate.

The Benefits of Roth Conversions (The Series)
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Sometimes the costs are actually benefits when it comes to Roth conversions.

Prior Year SEP IRA Contributions
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You have until April 15 (or October 15 with an extension) of the next year to finish up your prior year SEP IRA funding.

#TBT How a Stability Allocation Helps And What To Do If You Forgot One
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While the appreciation allocation helps you achieve your financial goals, introducing a stability allocation into your portfolio can prevent your portfolio from running out of money.

Freedom Investing in Review (June 2024)
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This quarter, we saw that in 1-year returns using the dynamic tilt and ending June 30, 2024, Developed Freedom Investing had a -0.14% disadvantage, Emerging Market Freedom Investing had a -0.02% disadvantage, and Overall Freedom Investing had a +0.36% advantage.

What is a Trusted Contact at Schwab?
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While it is possible a trusted contact may provide you with some protection, it cannot replace a durable power of attorney.

Four DPOA Limitations at Schwab and Their Solutions
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In most cases, Schwab’s rules around durable powers of attorney help to protect the principal. However, the same rules can also impede the principal’s agent.

#TBT Implement the Automatic Millionaire at Schwab
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The best way to ensure that you save and invest is to automate the process.

How to Implement a DPOA at Schwab
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Estate planning is a task which is never useful until it is too late to do it.

#TBT The Only Right Answer To Debit or Credit?
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You swipe your debit card at the card reader and the clerk quickly asks, “Debit or Credit?” Which should you choose? This 2013 article tells us.

How to See Your Schwab RMD Online (2024 Update)
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On June 2024, Schwab provided an update about viewing and taking your RMD on Schwab.com.

Q&A: Are There Account Closure Fees?
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There are no financial hooks, termination fees, or such imposed by our firm.

Ed Slott’s 10 Questions to Ask Your Financial Advisor
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I think the intent of this list is to make advisors feel under-prepared and thus more likely to sign up for one of the paid newsletters Ed Slott provides. Regardless, here are my answers.

2024 Market Outlook for Global Stock
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We agree with Kleintop’s assessment that valuations suggest that international equities are poised for more gains.

CFP Board Cannot Be Expected To Discriminate Based on Fee-Only
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The CFP Board is compensation neutral, but it is only because of how they are paid.

#TBT How to Change a 529 Plan Account Owner
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When a 529 plan is set up, there are two important people associated with the account. The first is the account owner. The second is the beneficiary. Both can be changed.

#TBT Open a Roth IRA Today or Regret It Later
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Roth IRAs have one weakness, but the remedy is to have opened and funded your Roth more than 5 years ago. So do it today!

Biden Sets Aim on Specific Taxpayers
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Biden’s state of the union address makes clear who he wants to tax.

#TBT How to Pay Off Student Loans While Building Wealth
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With many of us saddled in student loan debt well into our late thirties, our retirement cannot wait for us to be debt free. This 2016 rewrite of a 2007 article teaches you how to get started with savings while repaying your loans.

Less Economic Growth & More Taxes Without Congressional Action
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Alas, there is only one thing we can do to help dictate which kind of tax system we face and that is vote.

Marotta’s Gone-Fishing Portfolio: Review of 2023 Returns
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Last year, our 2023 Marotta’s Gone-Fishing Portfolio was a recommendation of 12 stock investments. This article is to report on the 2023 performance of those twelve stocks.

College Saving Strategies: One-Time Gift or Monthly Contribution?
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Once you have calculated the funding requirements for your college savings goals, there are three strategies for funding the accounts.

Inherited RMD Update: IRS Waives 2024 Penalties and Delays to 2025
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Taxpayers waiting for final guidance, have seen penalties waived for 2021 or 2022 RMDs, for 2023 RMDs, and now for 2024 RMDs.

Freedom Investing in Review (March 2024)
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This quarter, we saw that in 1-year returns ending March 31, 2024, Developed Freedom Investing had a -5.8% disadvantage, Emerging Market Freedom Investing had a +3.83% advantage, and Overall Freedom Investing had a -2.89% disadvantage.

#TBT Can a 529 Reimburse for Last Year’s Expenses?
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This article offers an overview of what we know about 529 reimbursement timing.

#TBT States with Tax-Exempt Interest from U.S. Debt Obligations
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As of 2021, here is an overview of how the states and jurisdictions handle interest on certain U.S. government obligations.

#TBT How to Keep Your Identity Safe Online
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This 2015 article has five rules for safely handling your digital security which you can’t afford not to implement.

In Roth Conversions, Reducing Political Risk May Be One of the Benefits
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Converting early can avoid your exposure to tax changes going forward as a Roth IRA is never taxed again.

2024 Index of Economic Freedom Update
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Last year, eleven countries made our cut-off. This year, twelve do.

Updates to Our Emerging Markets Strategy (March 2024)
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Because of Mexico’s current valuation, we believe that it has the possibility to perform well regardless of how this potential conflict resolves.

#TBT The Benefits of Free Trade Agreements
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Regardless of which way the balance of trade says the surplus falls, we and our trading allies benefit from the exchange.

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