Holiday Scams to Avoid
This time of year is very common for scams and identity theft to occur. A recent article by USA Today, discusses 6 holiday scams to be aware of that are associated with the following: Computer hacks and card processors of…
6 Times You Should Use a Credit Card Instead of a Debit Card
Many people are using debit cards instead of credit cards in order to avoid debt. However, if you pay off your balance every month, credit cards have some important benefits to consider before making your next purchase. A recent article…
What I Was Reminded of by Taking My Daughter on a Date
I was fortunate to take my daughter to her first college basketball game recently. Once she knew we would be going, her anticipation was hard to control. On the morning of the game her excitement was bubbling over. She continuously…
Think You’re Ready to Buy Your First Home? Think Again…
Having just started my career, I look forward to the day that I am in the financial position to be able to sign the contract and be handed the keys to my first home. Currently renting, I often consider how…
Determining Your Asset Allocation
In a previous post we noted that the research on Gamma identifies 5 financial planning strategies that add to retirement income. The first of these is Total Wealth Asset Allocation. The simplest definition of this is using a client specific…
6 Shopping Mistakes to Avoid This Holiday Season
With the holiday season quickly approaching, it will soon be time to start shopping for the perfect gifts for your family and friends. During this time, it’s important to take advantage of the sales and make sure that you’re getting…
2014 Year End Tax Tips
Do a tax projection before year end. For most taxpayers it’s a matter of adding up income and subtracting personal exemptions and either standard or itemized deductions. Adjust tax withholdings for the end of the year on your paystub, or…
Estate Planning: Til’ Death Do Us Part
Planning for the end of your life just as you are about to begin your new life together probably doesn’t seem quite as enticing as packing the bags for your honeymoon, but it is something that needs to be considered….
Is Your Pet Busting Your Budget?
About 4 years ago I brought home my first puppy – a 6 week old black lab named Charlie (Charles). I had always grown up with dogs and figured I knew how to take care of them financially. So I…
Chad Smith’s Latest Article in Money Magazine
You’ve likely been there at some point in the last 5 1/2 years. After seeing stock market gains for an extended period, you catch the news and the market has dropped a few days in a row. You think, “Here…
