What is a family limited partnership, and will it help reduce estate taxes?
A family limited partnership can be a powerful estate planning tool for business owners. We explain in this week’s Business Tip.
A family limited partnership can be a powerful estate planning tool for business owners. We explain in this week’s Business Tip.
Retiring early? You need to consider your health care coverage options until you’re eligible for Medicare. Learn more in this week’s Insurance Tip.
It may not even be Halloween yet, but it’s time to think about your year-end tax moves. Read all about it in this week’s Tax Tip.
Companies report earnings every quarter. Learn how to interpret the reported news in this week’s Financial Tip.
Jennifer Thomas, CFP® and Bil Lako, CFP® discuss a case study of a couple who have always done their own financial planning. The experts take a closer look at the generalized advice they’ve followed and how it may not work for them.
The market indices kicked off the week with losses; however, the S&P 500 index only declined 0.04 point marking the smallest percentage move for the index in either direction since October 2014. On Tuesday, indices closed with slight gains. Housing construction took a breather as Commerce Department data showed starts slipped 5.8% in August to hit an annual rate of 1.14 million units, versus expectations of an annual pace of 1.18 million units. West Texas Intermediate crude rose by 0.66% to settle at $44.15 a barrel. Positive moves continued mid-week when the NASDAQ closed at a new record level. Stocks stepped up following the release of comments from the latest Federal Reserve meeting. In a 3 to 7 vote to keep rates unchanged, the Federal Open Market Committee indicated the possibility of a hike has strengthened. Currently, economic risks “appear roughly balanced.” Energy Information Administration data showed domestic oil reserves decreased by 6.2 million barrels last week, versus an expected gain of 3.25 million barrels, which resulted in West Texas Intermediate crude increasing 2.9% for the day. Indices closed the session with gains on Thursday. Initial jobless claims declined last week as Labor Department data showed new claims decreased by 8,000 to 252,000. Investors also heard more down housing news as sales of existing homes slipped by 0.9% in August, but were up 0.8% from a year ago. Like Monday’s results, the markets ended Friday’s trading session in the red. Energy brands retreated following a dip in crude oil. West Texas Intermediate crude fell 4% to settle at $44.48 a barrel. Thankfully, for the week, the major indices still eked out a gain.
In today’s Marietta Daily Journal, Bil Lako, CFP®, explains why who the president of the United States is has little to do with the performance of your portfolio.
One way business owners can reward key employees is by offering a nonqualified executive bonus plan. Read all about it in this week’s Business Tip.
Paying PMI on your mortgage? Good news is it won’t last forever. We explain in this week’s Insurance Tip.
If you’re headed back to college this fall, be sure to learn about the tax breaks that can help defray the cost. Learn more in this week’s Tax Tip.