#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.

#TBT Tackling College Costs at the Eleventh Hour
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The best way to climb the mountain of college costs is gradually, but if you need to make some last minute leaps, our government has a few tax-related strategies.

#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.

#TBT The Delirious Happiness of Free Market Choice
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This 2015 article details one of the most brilliant breakthroughs in all of food science and how it relates to almost every aspect of life.

#TBT Eliminate the Capital Gains Tax
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Maybe if we say it enough, it will actually get done. “The correct rate for the capital gains tax is zero, zip, nada. Perhaps it is even negative!”

#TBT Three Reasons To Engage In Gift Giving
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The holiday cliché is to complain about hyper-materialism, but according to anthropologists, gifts and gift giving help shape our identities.

#TBT Cash Has Been the Riskiest Investment
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This 2007 post reminds that because of inflation the value of cash trends down, encourages you to protect your portfolio against a falling dollar, and reveals an inconsistency with CPI calculations and actual inflation.

#TBT Diversify and Rebalance More Than Just Your Investments
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Life is volatile, risky, and on average rewarding. Diversification and rebalancing help to protect yourself from the volatility.

#BestOf2023 Why the Verizon Visa Credit Card is My Primary Card
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I have adopted this card as the primary one in my wallet for groceries and gas.

#BestOf2023 How to Use Form SSA-44 To Save Money
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If the form is accepted, the Social Security Administration will generally not only change your current IRMAA, but they will also use your Projected MAGI for the next several years. Here’s why.

#BestOf2023 At 65, Does the 5-Year Roth Rule Matter?
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For those over age 59 1/2, you would need to withdraw all funds attributable to basis before your withdrawal would be sourced from Roth IRA earnings and the age of your Roth IRA would matter for taxation.

#BestOf2023 Changes to RMDs for Those Born in 1951 or Later
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Later required beginning dates are generally advantageous to seniors, although the complexity surrounding RMD rules is nothing to celebrate.

#TBT High Wages Limit Catch-Up Options to Only Roth in 2026
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The Internal Revenue Service announced an administrative transition period that extends until 2026 the new requirement that any catch-up contributions made by higher‑income participants in 401(k) and similar retirement plans must be designated as after-tax Roth contributions.

A Christmas Sermon from David Marotta
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This 2008 article is an uplifting, timeless sermon.

#TBT The Happy Habits of Appreciation and Gratitude
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This 2016 article reminds us that “there is a very simple place to start the process of changing our destiny: Each day notice the things that make you happy and try experiencing more of them.”

#TBT Estate Planning For A Family Business Balances Three Roles
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This whimsical 2004 post uses the hypothetical family business of Belle and the Beast to teach a valuable lesson about passing on the family business to the next generation.

#TBT Marotta on A Christmas Carol
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Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol is one of the best stories for talking about economics. This 2003 – 2012 series uses the classic tale to illustrate different financial personalities, principles, and philosophies.

#TBT Keep Christmas Your Own Way
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In “A Christmas Carol,” Ebenezer Scrooge calls Christmas a “humbug” because of the foolish way people celebrate it. This 2008 article reminds us that it is sometimes wise to simplify Christmas.

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

Today, We Celebrate Saving Tuesday
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Saving Tuesday is the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. It is a day to squirrel some savings away for your future self.

#TBT Six Reasons to Sell for a Loss
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Here are six reasons you may want to sell for a loss.

#TBT How Can We Make Medical Insurance Affordable?
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We have written on the topic of healthcare reform multiple times, including our 2014 economics of healthcare series which culminates in this article.

#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.”

#TBT Harvest Major Capital Losses Whenever You Have Them
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While you can only use $3,000 per year of capital losses to reduce your taxable income, you should bank as much capital loss as possible for other future uses.

#TBT Parental Reminder Number 42
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“Parental Reminder #42” reminds us that goodness is something bigger than we can articulate but, even though we cannot express it fully, it is very important.

#TBT Can I Use 529 Funds for Off-Campus Housing?
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Yes, but housing is one of many expenses that are subject to a reimbursement limit. Here’s how to do it.

#TBT Which Products Do You Buy and Which Do You Avoid?
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We avoid investments we deem too risky or laden with fees and seek instead a well balanced, low-cost, diversified portfolio.

#TBT The Optimum Asset Allocation to Gold Is Always Zero
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Fearful of monetary or societal failure, many hope that owning gold will bring them peace of mind. This articles reminds us to get peace of mind a different way.

#TBT Five Things You Can Control
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You deserve an advisor who will help you with these five and more.

#TBT Testamentary Donor Advised Funds
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Your executor will be grateful for an easier way to settle that part of your affairs.

#TBT Invest Your Health Savings Account For Appreciation
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After a cash allocation for spending, we suggest you invest the remainder of your account in appreciating stocks.

#TBT Don’t Delay Roth Conversions
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Waiting just one year means that you lose a portion of the growth in your traditional IRA to income taxes later.

#TBT Should I Wait Until After The End Of The World To Start Investing?
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Instead of waiting, remember that the greatest buying opportunity of your life is always right now.

#TBT The Minimalist Budget
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If you want to be really minimalist about your budgeting, here’s what we suggest: the 65-25-10 rule.

#TBT Should I Buy Commercial Real Estate?
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This article gives you the formula to decide how much to offer or if the property is a good deal.

#TBT Seven Elder Abuse Scams and How to Protect Yourself
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About 4% of elders falling victim to fraud with estimates that over $2.9 billion is lost to elder abuse every year. Being aware of the scams helps to protect yourself.

#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 Newlywed To Do List
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This 2014 article offers a practical, timeless list of steps to consider after you join your lives together.

#TBT Seven Financial Rules For Marital Bliss
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An overwhelming number of failed marriages cite financial troubles as a major factor in their breakup. See if this 2006 article can help make finances a place of union rather than separation.

#TBT How to Spend: Add It To Your Wishlist
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A wishlist is a force of thrift both for you to defer your consumption and for your family and friends to ensure that all the value of their gift makes it to your heart.

#TBT Remembering June 5, 2013
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There is an illusion that the executive branch will handle the collection of all our data with respect and care. I hope that current times can shatter that illusion for you.

#TBT Keep Track of Your Roth Contributions
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If you made a Roth contribution this year, here is a reminder to update your contribution basis records.

#TBT Do I Want To Give My Financial Advisor Discretion on My Account?
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This is only a good idea if your financial advisor is covered under the fiduciary duty and is fee-only.

#TBT Everyone Needs Some Frivolous Purchases
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Everyone needs some fun in their life, and sometimes fun costs a little money. This 2004 article shares six guidelines for dealing with purchases that might be considered frivolous.

#TBT How to Handle Your Paycheck Like a Boss
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This throwback to Libby’s first article at Marotta teaches us how to be prepared for life’s expenses and plan ahead for all future goals.

#TBT Hitting the Debt Ceiling is Not the End of the World
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This article from 2011 reminds us that if the debt ceiling is reached, the consequences will be large but not entirely harmful.

#TBT The Price of Listening to Dire Predictions
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While it is always true that a recession will come eventually, shifting to bonds whenever one is predicted has serious consequences.

#TBT How to Claim Your Virginia State Tax 529 Contribution Deduction
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Form ADJ of the 760 lines 8a – 8c are where you report miscellaneous deductions.

#TBT How Shrewd Investors Save on Taxes
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This 2007 post teaches how to use both investment losses and investment gains to good tax advantage.

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