Financial planning can become overwhelming when you’re aiming to maximize your retirement savings while juggling various accounts and tax implications. One of our clients found herself in just such a situation. She wanted to maximize her 401(k) contributions and contribute to a Traditional IRA. However, her 401(k) coverage meant she would receive no tax deduction…
You know what’s interesting? Many clients like to compare their spending to the so-called “average.” It’s natural to be curious, but it’s essential to remember that your financial planner is less concerned with how you spend your money and more focused on helping you achieve your personal financial goals. You’re Not a Statistic Statistics, while…
People who use the principles of the Law of Attraction have an advantage when becoming debt free, because they begin with the idea of managing their thoughts, emotions and energy. A huge part of becoming debt free is mindset, and when used correctly, the Law of Attraction can support a debt-free life. The Difference Between…
We don’t prepare taxes for our clients, but we tend to be the people who help them avoid tax “surprises.” No one wants unpleasant news, so it’s helpful to deconstruct a client’s taxes so we can understand strategic decisions. But there might not be as many ways to save on taxes as people hope… I…
My sister Dru recently retired from her family law practice after 40 years. I asked her what her most consistently frustrating estate planning experience was, and she quickly answered: “When bank tellers recommend to seniors that they should add children to their bank accounts.” She believes the tellers are well-intentioned. It is most likely the…
I do not prepare tax returns, but as a financial planner, I understand taxes and can help my clients with their tax strategy. And it’s that time of year when many of you are about to freak out about your tax return. Now is when all of those TV ads pop up, warning you that…
When it comes to contributing to retirement, you might have various options available to you. One of those options could be a Roth IRA. These accounts have unique benefits that separate them from a more “traditional” retirement plan. One of the biggest differences is that Roth IRAs are funded with after-tax dollars. What does that…
Did you know that the question “How can I start investing?” is one of the most commonly Googled search terms? It’s one of those questions that can be soooo simple – but also feel overwhelming and complicated. I often tell our clients, it helps to have a “filter” for this sort of thing (like a…
Often I write things for my blog that maybe our actual client base doesn’t need to prioritize as much here in the economically vibrant, high-tech, dual-income world of Seattle. However, I believe that we can ALL be better with our spending and debt management. And since I know there are still TONS of people who…
You might have heard the term “eating your feelings,” especially during COVID when we were stuck at home and there wasn’t much else for us to do. I would posit that there are some people who instead SPEND their feelings. When you’re stressed, do you tend to shop? No judgment – this is totally normal.…
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