Our Weekly Blog

It is crucial to pay every bill on time. Even one late or missed payment can negatively impact your credit. Set up automatic payments from your bank account to ensure you pay at least the minimum required payment each month. Get into the habit of paying down credit card balances as much as possible to prevent charges from building up to the point that your debt is out of control. On time payments will also improve your credit score, or FICO score, which tracks payment history. The more often you make on-time payments toward your accounts, the higher your score.

The GI Bill has been a game-changer for veterans since it was introduced as the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944. Back then, its mission was simple: Help World War II veterans transition back into civilian life. It offered benefits like financial assistance for education, low-interest home loans, unemployment support, and even small business funding. While the original GI Bill ended in 1956, the term now refers to any legislation aimed at helping veterans and active service members access higher education.

2024 has been a great year for stocks and with great years often come big capital gains. To reduce those taxable gains, selling holdings with unrealized losses can help to reduce your tax bill on other gains that you’ve already realized. But you must complete those sales before January 1st.

Single taxpayers may owe more capital gains tax because their capital gains exclusion threshold is lower: $250,000 for a single taxpayer versus $500,000 for married filing jointly. A single taxpayer is subject to capital gains tax once the gain exceeds $250,000.

First Things First: Is Social Security Really Going Away? Social Security has been one of the most popular and dependable programs in the country, providing millions of retirees (And those that are disabled) with a steady income that supports their way of life. Ignoring or underfunding it could lead to a political backlash, which lawmakers generally try to avoid. So instead of big overhauls, you’re more likely to see gradual adjustments that help keep the program stable. Even if changes are approved, it’ll take time—probably a decade or more—before they kick in.

When our kids were young, we would not blink an eye about providing our children with the things that they needed to succeed, even if it was a financial stretch. (We are not talking about “wants” here.) But that nurturing approach changes once they graduate from college. Now they should have some training that will enable them to get a job and earn a living. However, becoming financially independent today is different from when their “boomer” parents were young adults.[1]