Recent Articles from Wayne Farlow
Do-it-yourself investing
DIY investors often do not have a written, well-defined investment plan. A good investment plan includes strategies for both bull and bear markets. The plan should include strategies for obtaining risk-adjusted returns that meet or exceed the investor’s expectations over a complete market cycle...
Should you deleverage your home?
Deleveraging is a financial term that basically means paying down one’s debt. This can apply to individuals, companies and governments. When governments deleverage, it is called “austerity.” When individuals deleverage, it’s typically called “good common sense.”
Is financial planning for everyone?
A Princeton Survey Research Associates International survey of 1,508 households across the nation found that 38 percent of Americans live paycheck to paycheck and that less than 30 percent of US households felt financially secure. Only 34 percent of the households surveyed believed that they could...
Minimize taxes, maximize returns
Did you know that you can increase your investment returns without changing your current investment portfolio? Many investors have taxable investment accounts, tax-deferred retirement accounts and even tax-free (Roth) accounts. To increase investment returns, use the tax code to determine which investment assets to hold in each type of investment account. This approach will maximize [&hellip[...]
Home office tax deduction made easy
Many employees work often, if not exclusively from a home office. As long as a home office is required by your employer and the area is used exclusively for business purposes, it is likely eligible to be claimed for a home office income tax deduction. Until now, the complicated IRS form 8829 was...
Do good and double your tax break
As the year ends, many of us will be sharing our abundance with those who are not as fortunate, through year-end charitable giving. If you hurry, you can still get a double charitable tax deduction, while setting up your own, no-cost “charitable foundation.” If you are planning on making charitable year end gifts to claim […]
Get the biggest bang for your retirement buck
Today, few employees have guaranteed pension plans. Since living only on Social Security benefits is not the retirement that anyone wishes, most people must save from their current earnings to have an abundant retirement. Step one of my Seven Steps to Financial Abundance is “Spend less than you earn.” After this is accomplished, the question becomes, […]
How to maximize college financial aid
If you would like for your child or grandchild to receive college financial aid, there are several steps that can be taken to help maximize both the probability of receiving financial aid and the amount received. Here are a few dos and don’ts for helping your child or grandchild maximize their financial aid. The most […]
Cash for the college-bound
A 529 college savings plan is often the best way to save for a child’s higher education expenses. Let’s explore some of the ways that 529 college savings plans provide tax savings, flexibility, safety and even estate-planning opportunities for parents and grandparents of college-bound children. 1) Tax Savings – The gift tax exclusion allows an […]
Self-employed?
The number of self-employed Americans has skyrocketed. Whether fully self-employed or supplementing your income, consider saving some self-employment income in a tax-deferred retirement plan. Here are four possible retirement plans for the self-employed. 1. Solo 401(k) Plans: 401(k) plans for small companies often have high administration costs and limited investment options. Solo (individual) 401[...]
A couple’s seven-step guide to reducing financial stress
A leading cause for divorce is disagreements concerning financial matters. When a couple has different financial backgrounds and different opinions on spending, saving and investing, financial stress can occur. Here are seven steps that you and your partner can use to reduce financial tension and help your relationship thrive. 1) Understanding each other’s financial goals. […]
Financial plans for a lifetime
For many people, financial planning consists of determining if the amount they have or will have saved by the time they retire, will provide adequate funding to live the retirement they desire. We take a broader view of comprehensive financial planning. Using the Bodie Merton Samuelson theory of...