Over the years working with worried clients it has become obvious that going through the financial planning process and reviewing existing plans in the context of a changing financial environment helps alleviate worries.
Just like you can train your body to be stronger, you can train your mind to focus in a way that promotes clarity and good habits. This skill isn’t just helpful for managing daily stress—it can also be a game-changer when it comes to financial and investment decisions.
Inflation has been a hot topic in financial news over the past few years, but what does it really mean for consumers and investors? In this episode of Finance in a Flash, John and Dave take a step back to break down inflation—what it is, why it matters, and how it can impact your purchasing power and investment strategy.
The IRS has announced contribution savings limits for retirement savings accounts for 2025.
Over the past 3 years, the word “inflation” has dominated the headlines. In the current environment, there seems to be some confusion among investors and consumers regarding this term and what is happening. Therefore, we thought it would be a good idea to go over some of the key “flation” terms and clarify what each means and where we are today.
On this episode of Finance in a Flash, John sits down with Beacon’s newest team member, Dave Trettel. Tune in to learn more about Dave as he shares insights into his personal life, his professional journey in financial planning, and his experiences since joining the Beacon team. We hope you enjoy getting to know Dave!
For most, achieving financial success isn’t about picking the right stock, saving to the right account, or even finding the perfect advisory firm. Financial success is most often achieved through discipline, intention, and consistency.
Join Erin Campbell, CPA/PFS, CFP®, in this insightful webinar as she explores key tax planning strategies to prepare for 2025. Erin covers a range of essential topics, including the latest outlook on tax law, maximizing retirement plan contributions, the importance of Roth IRAs, and optimizing charitable contributions.
Check out this recent webinar where Chip, John, and Beacon's newest team member Dave sit down to discuss key topics in the investment markets throughout 2024, share valuable insights, and discuss the outlook for 2025.
Target Date funds have grown in popularity over the last decade especially inside employer benefit plans such as 401Ks. On the surface, they all seem to be exactly the same. First, you pick your fund based on your anticipated retirement date. Then you let the manager handle the rest – they utilize their glide path and make the portfolio more conservative as you approach retirement. While true, behind the scenes there are subtle differences that investors should be aware.
As the year winds down, it is always a good idea to review your tax situation to determine if there are ways to reduce your tax liability or take advantage of financial planning opportunities that may exist. Here are several items that may warrant consideration prior to the end of the year.
As we close out 2024, it is a good time to think ahead about the coming year. Below are the 2025 Income tax brackets for all taxpayers.
As we celebrate Beacon’s 20th anniversary, we’ve spent time reflecting on how far we’ve come. A lot has changed over the years, and our evolution has been remarkable.
Since 2001, individuals over the age of 50 have been allowed to make "catch-up" contributions to their 401(k) plans, IRAs, and Roth IRAs. This provision was designed by Congress to give those nearing retirement the opportunity to boost their savings in tax-advantaged retirement accounts. Now, starting in 2025, new legislation will extend these opportunities even further.
Since 2004, much has changed, but one thing has remained constant: our unwavering commitment to helping our clients. As we’ve matured and experienced life’s ups and downs ourselves, we’ve come to truly appreciate the value of the advice Beacon provides and the difference it makes for our clients.
Placing a security freeze on your credit with each agency is the only way to prevent someone from obtaining credit in your name without your consent. Here we discuss how to execute a credit freeze and the drawbacks to this strategy.
One area that often sparks debates in the financial arena is pet insurance. Is it a necessary investment, or can you afford to self-insure? When I got my dog, Penny, I was torn on whether pet insurance would be right for us. Penny is my first dog and we got her when she was just 8 weeks old. I quickly found out how much of a financial commitment she was going to be once we brought her to our vet for the first time. Shots, exams, spay… It was adding up quickly.
The current tax code is set to expire in 2026. The article shows what has happened with tax rates since 2016 and what is scheduled to happen going forward until 2030. There are some notable changes beginning in 2026.
In 2020, the SECURE Act changed the distribution requirements for non-spousal beneficiaries of IRAs. The new rules are fairly complicated. We will review the rules and discuss the options and opportunities to optimize the tax impact of these inherited IRA distributions.
Many underestimate their understanding of basic financial matters, leading to a lack of confidence and possibly anxiety. In reality, there is really just one simple “secret formula” that people who are financially successful do—they Pay Themselves First.
Portfolio rebalancing is an integral part of the investment management process. On this episode of Finance In A Flash, Chip and John sit down to talk about the concept of rebalancing and discuss the benefits of implementing a portfolio rebalancing strategy.
Chip and John sit down to discuss some of the highlights from Beacon’s most recent investment committee meeting!
Are you the type of person who celebrates your personal victories? According to a number of psychological studies, celebrating victories—even the small ones, has an extremely positive impact on a person’s sense of happiness and well-being.
Are you faced with the task of helping aging parents with their finances? Here are some helpful ideas to make the process more manageable.
Are you in the process of evaluating, or considering a move into a retirement community? We have found that when it comes to choosing a retirement community, those who are happiest and most confident with their choice are those who carefully consider both the financial and non-financial aspects when making their decision.
Beacon was recently able to break away from spreadsheets and tax returns and volunteer at the Food Bank for a day.
We have received a number of inquiries from clients recently about Qualified Longevity Annuity Contracts (QLACs). As with most types of “financial solutions,” the attractiveness of QLACs is in the eye of the beholder. Let’s take a look under the hood!
The IRS has announced contribution savings limits for retirement savings accounts for 2024. All the maximum contributions to retirement plans have increased by $500. Make sure you let your payroll department know that you want to increase your contributions to these plans.
On this episode of Finance in a Flash we welcome a special guest to the podcast. Stephanie Murray, Stephanie is Beacon’s Planning and Operations Manager. Stephanie is an Enrolled Agent—a federally licensed tax practitioner as well as a Certified Financial Planner™. John and Stephanie sit down and discuss important tax forms, the tax preparation process, and much more!
I am at the age where I am really beginning to realize how fragile life can be at times. Recently, we learned that former University of North Carolina basketball great, Eric Montross had lost his battle with cancer and died at the young age of 52.
