Financial Advisor

March 5, 2025The fee your advisor charges is based on the services you’re receiving, the individual advisor’s fee structure and other factors, including the amount of money you have to invest. With $1.4 million invested, many advisors would likely charge about 1% of the account balance as an annual fee. However, this could vary widely among advisors.… read more…

March 4, 2025Many entrepreneurs incorporate their businesses each year to gain legal and financial benefits. The process may seem complicated for those unfamiliar with the requirements. Key steps include choosing a business structure, registering with the state, getting licenses and following tax rules. While some entrepreneurs choose to handle incorporation themselves, working with a financial advisor or… read more…

March 3, 2025I sold an investment property which made my income very high for that year. Medicare Part B premiums increased to $591.90 for both me and my wife. Is there any way to avoid that increase? Our Part D premiums increased as well. -Fred First off, congratulations on selling your investment property. Unfortunately, there likely isn’t… read more…

February 28, 2025A Qualified Institutional Buyer (QIB) is an institutional investor deemed to have the expertise and financial acumen to engage in sophisticated investment activities. These entities include insurance companies, investment companies, employee benefit plans and certain banks, all of which must meet specific criteria set forth by federal securities regulators. The designation of a QIB is… read more…

February 28, 2025Schedule 13G is an official form that federal regulators may require investors to file when they purchase a significant amount of a company’s stock but have no intention of influencing or controlling the company. The threshold is ownership of more than 5% of a company’s shares. Typically, institutional investors, such as mutual funds or pension… read more…

February 26, 2025Broadly speaking, there are three stages to retirement planning: accumulation, distribution and estate.  The accumulation phase refers to your working life, which is when you build the wealth that you’ll eventually retire on. This stage is about savings, growth and long-term investing.  The estate phase of your retirement plan is when you make preparations for… read more…

February 25, 2025Catch-up contributions are usually worth it, in the sense that it’s always a good idea to boost your retirement savings. If you can increase your savings, it’s generally wise to do so. The question for many households over the age of 50 is whether catch-up contributions are necessary. If you invest in an employer-sponsored plan… read more…

February 24, 2025I inherited a non-qualified annuity from my mom. I am on SSDI and I receive $1,800 per month. The annuity is worth $100,000. I am trying to decide whether to take monthly payments for the rest of my life, which should be about $450 a month, or take the lump sum (between $80,000 and $90,000… read more…

February 21, 2025The testator is the individual who creates and signs a will, outlining how they wish their assets to be distributed upon their death. This role is pivotal, as it ensures their final wishes are clearly documented and legally recognized. By comprehending the responsibilities and legal requirements of a testator, individuals can better prepare for the… read more…

February 21, 2025When estate planning, it is critical to know who is the grantor of a trust, as it can significantly impact financial planning and estate strategy. As the individual who establishes a trust, the grantor shapes how their assets will be managed and distributed, both during their lifetime and beyond. Understanding the responsibilities of a grantor… read more…

February 21, 2025A deed restriction is a legal stipulation written into the deed of a property that dictates certain conditions or limitations on use. These restrictions can range from architectural guidelines to prohibitions on commercial activities, and they are typically put in place by developers, homeowners’ associations or previous property owners to maintain a certain standard or… read more…

February 21, 2025The distinction between a grantor and a grantee in real estate lies in the transfer of property rights. The grantor is the party who transfers the property, while the grantee is the recipient of these rights. This fundamental relationship is pivotal in various transactions, from buying a home to transferring land ownership. The responsibilities of… read more…

February 21, 2025Most of the time, we talk about retirement planning in relation to goals, lifestyle and how to build the wealth to maintain that lifestyle in retirement. But there’s another way to looks at things. Once you reach retirement age, what can you do with what you have? Based on your savings, benefits and other assets,… read more…

February 19, 2025How much should you pay a financial advisor? The answer is, there are a lot of answers to this question. The simple one is: around 1%. That’s the average rate that a professional financial advisor charges to manage your money. The better one is: it depends entirely on what services you need and how much money… read more…

February 18, 2025My husband wants to retire in August 2025 when I turn 65. My husband turned 65 in December 2024. We have $1.1 million saved (includes stocks, ETFs and mutual funds) along with $1.6 million in a 401(k).  We will, at that time, start to collect Social Security. What would be a good rule of thumb for… read more…

February 11, 2025Tennessee is one of the few states that does not impose a personal income tax, making it an attractive option for individuals seeking tax advantages. However, establishing residency is not just about moving to the state — it requires meeting specific legal criteria. Whether you are relocating permanently or trying to sever tax ties with… read more…

February 11, 2025Since Nevada does not impose a personal income tax, many individuals relocate to the state to benefit from its tax-friendly environment. However, simply moving to Nevada is not enough — meeting Nevada residency requirements is important for legally claiming state residency. Residency status can impact tax obligations, voter registration, tuition rates and legal documentation. If… read more…

February 11, 2025One of the key metrics used to gauge the efficiency of a business is the activity ratio. This type of financial measurement provides insights into how well a company utilizes its assets to generate revenue. By examining activity ratios, investors and analysts can determine how efficiently a company is managing its resources to maximize sales… read more…

February 11, 2025Default risk refers to the possibility that a company may fail to meet its financial obligations, such as paying dividends or repaying debt. When a company that has issued common stock defaults, the value of its common shares will likely be severely impacted and investors holding them may experience a total loss of principal. As… read more…

February 11, 2025A discretionary account allows a financial advisor or portfolio manager to make investment decisions for the account holder. This type of account suits investors who prefer not to manage their investments directly or don’t have the time and expertise to do so. By giving the advisor authority, the investor lets them manage the investments according… read more…

February 10, 2025How much can I afford to pay for a home and still maintain a comfortable retirement without worrying about running out of money? I’m 66 and I have about $1.78 million in a taxable investment account, $1.5 million in IRAs, $309,000 in a Roth and $115,000 in a deferred compensation plan. I also have a… read more…

February 6, 2025Purchase order (PO) financing is a funding solution designed to help businesses meet large customer orders they might not have the cash flow to fulfill. With PO financing, a lender or financing company provides funds to cover the costs of goods required to complete an order. This type of financing allows businesses to grow, maintain… read more…

February 6, 2025Basis risk refers to the potential mismatch between the value of an asset or liability and the financial instrument used to hedge or manage its risk. This divergence can result in unexpected gains or losses, even when a hedging strategy is in place. Basis risk is particularly relevant for investors, traders and companies that use… read more…

February 6, 2025Delta hedging is a risk management strategy used to reduce or neutralize the price movements of an underlying asset in options trading. By adjusting the positions in the underlying asset to match the delta of an option, traders can create a more stable portfolio that is less sensitive to small market fluctuations. It is a… read more…

February 6, 2025A bull trap is a false signal that can make it seem as though a declining trend in a stock or index has reversed and is heading upward when, in fact, the security will continue to decline. This can lure in long buyers who think the stock is at its turning point, only to have… read more…