Where’s My Refund? Tax Planning for Retirees and Oregon PERS Members The question “Where’s my refund?” is on many of our minds as taxpayers search for answers and monitor their refund status. For retirees and members of the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), the tax landscape includes unique factors that can significantly influence…
The Duality of Creating Financial Freedom For many of us, managing money and building financial security is a nagging concern. We know we should be making progress, but nothing changes. What keeps us from experiencing the financial life we desire? What keeps us from using money as a tool for achieving our goals rather than…
This month, I started taking an online course to deepen my expertise in a field near and dear to my heart: serving as a thought partner for my clients as they age. The course will leave me with an “Elder Care Specialist” designation and, ideally, equip me with better ways to serve my client families,…
What is Diversification? Almost everyone has heard that diversification is important in building portfolios. However, many people don’t understand what it is, why it’s important, or how to maximize its benefits. Diversification means spreading the assets in a portfolio among different investments. The goal is to smooth out the returns of the portfolio. For most…
Traditional retirement income planning aims to build a “nest egg” of personal savings and investments that will supplement Social Security and pension benefits. Together, these three sources of retirement income have long been referred to as the proverbial “three-legged stool”—a solid and well-balanced foundation for building financial security in old age. However, Social Security benefits…
In a world where every act of kindness can make a difference, tax-efficient giving can empower you to support causes you care about while optimizing tax benefits. As a Certified Financial Planner™ professional and a Certified Tax Specialist™ with over a decade of experience, I’m here to guide you through the art of giving wisely.…
I enjoyed catching up with fellow advisor Josh St. Laurent on his podcast, Wealth in Yourself. Together, we discussed the opportunities and challenges for those approaching and entering retirement, what it means to align your money with what you care about, and more. You can listen in or read the transcript below: Josh: Welcome to…
What Happens to Your Tax Liability With Proper Financial Planning? When we think about managing our finances, it’s impossible to ignore the impact of taxes. Taxes are integral to our financial lives, affecting everything from our income and investments to estate planning and retirement. The decisions we make in our financial planning have direct consequences…
When individuals set goals that are especially meaningful to them, they experience a sense of mission. They feel enthusiasm for the tasks that lie ahead and for what they intend to accomplish. At every stage of life, having a mission gives them a reason to get up in the morning, bounce back from setbacks, and…
An Estate Planning Checklist for Your Head and Heart Your estate plan isn’t just about distributing your assets; it’s also about ensuring your loved ones are taken care of, your wishes are honored, and potential complications are avoided. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through an essential estate planning checklist to help you make…