A Quick Guide to Planned Giving

by Natalie Babik on

Almost any large nonprofit organization has a planned giving department that will guide you through the maze of giving options available. While planned giving can be very beneficial – and profitable for organizations, it’s also an effective way for you to realize significant tax benefits, have...

Know Your Credit Score

by Natalie Babik on

Credit Management in the 21st Century

In today’s world, good credit is a necessity. Today, our credit score affects much more than our ability to buy a house or finance a car. Our credit score can also affect our insurance premium, our ability to rent an apartment, and even our ability to get a job...

Tax Planning Basics

by Natalie Babik on

For years it was assumed that tax planning was reserved for the wealthy. While wealthy individuals will see the most benefit from tax planning, with big changes looming for the 2018 tax year, even middle-income earners can reap the benefits of tax planning.  

Basic tax planning starts with your AGI...

A Summary of 2018 Tax Changes

by Natalie Babik on

The Trump administration’s new tax reform bill was signed into law in December of 2017, representing the first major tax change in over 30 years. The changes are significant and are likely to affect nearly everyone in some measure; some positively, while others may find themselves with a higher tax...

The Human Resources representative asked you to review a stack of paperwork before your new employee benefit orientation meeting. Understanding that this is your first of what research indicates will be about twelve jobs, you figure now would be a good time to learn what you can about Group Life...

529 Plans

by Natalie Babik on

Started in 1996, 529 plans provide tax incentives for those saving for post-secondary education. The plan allows funds saved to be used at any eligible education institution, which typically includes colleges, universities, vocational schools or any post-secondary educational institute that is...

Planning your Estate

by Natalie Babik on

Accepting one’s own mortality is a tough pill to swallow. As such, estate planning can be a morbid topic that lingers in the background of our lives ominously. Nobody wants to plan for their own death! However, the repercussions your family will face are dire if you delay preparing for the...

Why Financial Advisors Are Still Necessary

by Natalie Babik on

The rising popularity of robo-advisors has some in the industry wondering whether this is the beginning of the end for financial advisors.

In reality, robo-advisors have been able to do something that traditional financial advisors have not; get those with limited resources to begin creating a...

Planned Giving Goes Further

by Natalie Babik on

There are many ways that we support our favorite charitable causes. However, one of the most beneficial ways to support a favorite charity now and into perpetuity is through planned giving. While almost any larger nonprofit organization has an active planned giving program, it may come as a surprise...

Why Financial Literacy is Important

by Natalie Babik on

Being financially literate in today’s economic climate is more important than ever. Understanding finances can help you make better money management decisions, budget your money properly, adequately save for college, and be financially prepared for retirement. While it may sound daunting, financial...

Health Insurance 101

by Natalie Babik on

Health insurance used to be a fairly simple process. But today, whether obtaining health insurance privately or through an employer, we’re being offered a variety of insurance plans with varying benefit levels, making the choice more difficult.

Before you enroll in another health insurance plan...

Renter's Insurance

by Natalie Babik on

There were 43 million renters in the U.S. in 2017, the highest number of renters in the last 50 years.  Yet according to the Insurance Information Institute, only 37 percent of those currently renting have renters insurance, leaving 27.1 million renters without protection should catastrophe strike.

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