Blog

BY: Pat Cote, CFA, CFP®

The pandemic has had a terrible impact on many people from both a health and a financial perspective.  However, a significant number of people have found their incomes rising, while at the same time their spending has actually gone down (with fewer travel options and long waits for big-ticket items like cars).  This has created the happy problem of “extra” cash for some folks.

It’s that time of year again! While we are in the midst of enjoying the holiday season, the last thing many of us want to do is to think about taxes and finances.  However, taking a few minutes to focus on some specific areas can make a big difference.

With that in mind, we prepared a list of 10 key items to focus on before 12/31.

BY: Pat Cote, CFA, CFP®

The fastest growing retirement plans are a type many people have not heard of, CB (cash balance) and DB (defined benefit) plans.  They are the modern update to the pensions that most large companies used to offer years ago. 

BY: KATE HENNESSY, CFP®

BY: SUSAN POWERS, CFA, CPA, CFP®, CPFA

Finding time to think about tax planning now may seem premature.  However, now is exactly when you need to be thinking about your year-end tax planning and more importantly; talking with your Advisor, your tax professional, or attorney as well.  Make sure you have time to implement the strategy

9/07/2021 - originally aired on Sirius XM Channel 132, Business Radio Powered by the Wharton School

BY: KATE HENNESSY,  CFP®

In 2005, after my Dad passed away suddenly, my brother, the executor of his estate, took a year to gather information about my parents’ investment accounts, so that it was easy for my Mom to understand.  My Mom lived another 10 years and then she passed away suddenly in 2015.   Thankfully, the work that my brother did following my Dad’s death created less administrative work for my siblings and I after my Mom passed. 

BY: SUSAN POWERS, CFA, CPA, CFP®, CPFA

Using an IRA to make a charitable donation can help a worthy cause and help lower your tax bill as well.  As we approach the fourth quarter, you may be reviewing your charitable giving strategies with a financial and tax advisor as part of your year-end planning.  While some tax efficient giving strategies can be a bit complex, qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) are as easy as writing a check to your favorite charities!

BY: KATE HENNESSY,  CFP®

When I was a teenager I had a summer job and my parents helped me open a savings account.  This action started me on my savings path and while I wouldn’t say I was saving for retirement at that point in my life, I did start to understand the concept of saving.

BY: PATRICK R. COTE, CFA, CFP®

Over the last few years, several studies from Fidelity, Wells Fargo, the University of California and Hargreaves Lansdown in the UK show that women’s investment returns tend to outperform men’s by anywhere from 0.4% to 0.8% per year.

BY: KATE HENNESSY,  CFP®

The fear and intimidation that women face about finances can start at an early age.

Research has shown that as young as 4th grade girls believe they are equal to boys and can do anything boys can do – girls enjoy and are good at both math and science.