If you welcomed a child in 2025, a new tax election may allow you to secure a $1,000 federal seed contribution in your child’s name through the newly introduced Trump Account pilot program. While the incentive is appealing, the structure, tax treatment, and long-term implications deserve careful consideration. Here’s what parents need to know before making the election.
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Using QCDs to Reduce Taxes and Support Charities in Retirement
What if you could lower your retirement tax bill and make a lasting difference at the same time? For retirees over age 70½, that’s exactly what a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) offers. By directing required withdrawals from your IRA straight to charity, you can reduce taxable income and put your money to work for the causes you care about most.
90 Years of Social Security: What It Means for You Today
Social Security has turned 90! For nearly a century, this program has provided a reliable source of income for retirees, people with disabilities, and families who have lost a loved one. But what role should it play in your retirement strategy? Learn how Social Security benefits work, when it makes sense to claim, and how to weave it into a broader plan for long-term financial security.
Act Now: Federal Energy & EV Tax Credits Expire in 2025
Time is running out to claim valuable clean energy and electric vehicle tax credits. Recent legislation moved the expiration date from 2032 to 2025, meaning homeowners and buyers must act quickly. Learn what qualifies, how much you can save, and the steps you need to take before the deadline.
Redefining Wealth: How to Create a Life You Love in Retirement
When most people think about wealth, they picture numbers on a bank statement. But according to fee-only financial planner Darren Zagarola, true wealth is about something much bigger—freedom, purpose, and living life on your own terms. In this candid conversation, Darren shares how redefining wealth can change not just your finances, but your future.
How to Stage Your Home for Sale: Tips, Costs, and ROI
Putting your home on the market can be exciting and also stressful, especially when you want to get the best price. One proven way to stand out is by staging your home. In this article, we’ll explore easy and effective ways to prepare your property so buyers can envision themselves living there.
5 Smart Ways to Use Leftover 529 Plan Funds After Graduation
Saving for college with a 529 Plan is a smart move—but what if your child graduates and there’s money left in the account? From changing beneficiaries to rolling funds into a Roth IRA, here are five creative ways to make the most of your leftover 529 savings while avoiding unnecessary taxes.
Is it Wise to Co-Sign a Loan? What to Consider First
A child buying their first car. A grandchild just starting out. A sibling needing help. When someone you care about asks you to co-sign a loan, it’s natural to want to say yes. But before you sign on the dotted line, it’s worth pausing to understand exactly what you’re committing to—and how to protect yourself in the process.
From Clueless to Confident: Teaching Your Kids Financial Responsibility
Are your kids ready to handle money on their own? Discover practical ways to teach financial skills that will set them up for a lifetime of confidence and independence.
Cutting Through the Noise: Two Crucial Questions Investors Need to Ask
In today’s news cycle, investors are bombarded with information, making it difficult to know whether they are properly invested. Ask yourself these two crucial questions.
2025 Tax Law Changes: What’s in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act
Discover how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act changes taxes in 2025, including new deductions for tips and Seniors, an increase to the standard deduction, and more.
Important Birthdays Over 50
Announcing your age as “and-a-half” dies out around the age of 12. But when you’re older, it starts making a comeback. In fact, starting at age 50, several birthdays and “half-birthdays” are critical to understand because they have implications regarding your retirement income.
Reminder: Second Quarter Estimated Tax Payments Due June 16
Estimated tax payments are important if you are self-employed, earn substantial investment income, or anticipate owing more than your prior year’s tax liability after withholding. This year, the deadline is Monday, June 16. Here’s what you need to know.