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A reminder for our retired friends and clients age 70 1/2 or older. Once again in 2010 the federal government will require minimum distributions from retirement plans in an effort to collect tax revenues from those of you who saved for your golden years. We will help you make informed decisions...

As we approach the end of the year, it appears that our representatives in Washington are up to their old tricks finding time to write "extender" tax bills so they can claim they voted to reduce our taxes. As usual, we predict it will pass. On December 9, the House of Representatives approved H.R....

Time to talk about how to avoid the most common pitfall that could cause you to lose a capital loss deduction. Many people are happy to have a few capital gains from securities sold during 2009. It is a welcome relief to see a little black ink after 2008's red tide. But nobody is happy to pay tax...

How can you not love December? Sure, the snow and cold can certainly get to you, but the promise of a visit from old Saint Nick quickly puts that thought in the back of our minds. People are out spending money and spreading holiday cheer. There is so much happiness surrounding December that even...

In the first post I talked about the taxability of mutual fund distributions. December is the month when most funds pay out capital gains if they have them. The distributions are taxable, so how to reduce the bite? One way is to look at the your total tax cost for your fund. Mutual fund investors o...

Let's review how mutual fund investments affect your taxes and what you can do to shrink the bite. If you own mutual funds, this is the time of year when many funds pay capital gains distributions. Even if your fund reinvests the distributions, they are taxable (unless your fund is held in a reti...

Today, women are playing an ever-increasing role in making important financial decisions - whether for themselves or for their families. While many of the basic rules of investing hold true for all investors, some life events will affect women differently than they will men, and these can also have...

Payroll and income tax issues have become increasingly complex. My weekly blog post will attempt to explain many of the new changes that might affect you without also putting you to sleep - let's see if that's possible: For the first time since 1971 the Social Security wage base will not increase!...

That's important advice on a day like today, with snow overnight and steady sleet as we head to our activities. It's also important advice in your investment portfolio. Distraction is everywhere: oil is up & stocks are down, gold is down & stocks are up, the dollar is up, down, you get the idea....

People graduating from college and entering the workforce are likely to have a lot on their mind. Buying a decent car, purchasing a first home, getting rid of their college debt, etc. Saving for retirement often isn't very high on their list. It is something they figure they have plenty of time to w...