Guest Contributor Articles
It is a common misconception that estate planning is only necessary for the wealthy or those with a spouse and children. However, all individuals, no matter what their financial situation may be, can benefit from preparing for the future with estate planning tools, too. An estate plan includes more than creating a Will or trust […]
It is a common misconception that estate planning is only necessary for the wealthy or those with a spouse and children. However, all individuals, no matter what their financial situation may be, can benefit from preparing for the future with estate planning tools, too. An estate plan includes more than creating a Will or trust […]
For those of you out there that are residents of Minnesota and owners of a small business or family farm, there is a relatively new law offering relief from the Minnesota estate tax.
Can your family survive on $250 each month? The average American has $50,000 of life insurance through work, which equals about $250 per month in income replacement. Are you that average American? Can your family survive on $250 each month? Many income earners think, “Life insurance doesn’t fit into my budget. Life insurance is expensive. […]
Credit cards seem to be a blessing and a curse for many individuals. Establishing credit history is important for consumers to earn a high credit store, which will help in securing loans for large purchases such as homes and cars and starting up businesses. However, many people mismanage their credit cards and find themselves in […]
Minimizing and Managing Social Security Benefit Taxes This is the third and final article of a three-part series to help married couples maximize the total amount of Social Security benefits they will receive in their lifetimes. How Social Security Benefits Are Taxed The amount that benefits are taxed is determined by how much other earned […]
Maximizing Spousal and Survival Benefits This is the second article of a three-part series to help married couples maximize the total amount of Social Security benefits they will receive in their lifetimes. The Basics of Spousal Benefits Coordinating spousal benefits is one of the most complicated areas of successful Social Security benefits planning. Overlooking the […]
Calculating Your Benefits and Deciding When to Apply This is the first article of a three-part series to help married couples maximize the total amount of Social Security benefits they will receive in their lifetimes. Why focus on maximizing Social Security benefits? Doing a little thoughtful planning now will lead to more immediate income, higher […]
While many economists have said we have come out of the recession, as of late many of them may be thinking we are heading for another one. A 512-point drop does not make anybody happy, especially me. It seems that we are back to the 2008 days of extreme volatility.
Anyone who attended a Twin Cities Pride event this summer can attest to the vitality of Minnesota’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) community. The turnout and support for the GLBT community proved Minneapolis deserving of the honor, “Gayest City in America,” bestowed on the city earlier this year by The Advocate. As an estate […]
Many people who support charities will limit their giving to writing a check (or perhaps these days using a great online giving portal like GiveMN.org). However, increasingly donors are taking advantage of the flexibility, tax savings, and long-term planning offered by planned giving. When a donor works with a planned giving professional, often in conjunction […]