According to the United States Senate Special Committee on Aging, seniors lose an estimated 2.9 billion dollars a year to con artists perpetrating scams. But older Americans aren’t the only ones targeted and susceptible to scans. The percentage of millennials who are victims of scams is nearly double that of seniors. The Federal Trade Commission reported in 2018 that 40% …
When I started my career, I was part of a dual-income household. Three children and one debilitating back injury later, I have become the sole provider for my family. I know I am not alone, 40% of American households have a woman as the primary breadwinner.1 This shift from the traditional homemaker role has left many women to perform the non-stop …
Is now a good time to buy a home? I think a better question to ask is “Is it a good time in my life to buy a house?” buying a home is a huge investment and it is important to not rush into the decision. Interest rates are very low right now which is great for home buyers, but …
Many women find themselves part of the generation, “sandwiched” between caring for their aging parents and young or even grown children, often providing support while holding down full-time jobs. This role can challenging, especially when it comes to finances. With the rising cost of living in the DC-metro area, trying to meet day-to-day expenses while saving for retirement (and possibly …
All parents worry about their children’s futures – it’s part of the job. Parents of children with special needs may face more uncertainty. Some of the biggest concerns special needs parents have are financial. Mapping out your child’s financial future can seem like a daunting task, but having a plan in place can help ease your fears. There are complex …
What are the Most Important Financial Resolutions I Should Have for 2021? Everyone has different priorities but here are the top four I recommend: Protect Your Estate Review and update your estate documents. The primary purpose of a will is to ensure that your assets are distributed to whomever you choose, in the amount and manner that you choose. You …
The end of the year can be busy, but there are a few things you should review every year to make sure you are making the most of your money. Below is a list of items I review with my clients that you may find helpful as this year draws to a close. Investments Review Tax Losses If you …
This strategy potentially turns your investment losses into tax breaks. If you invest in taxable accounts you are probably familiar with capital gains taxes. To “harvest“ losses you sell investments at a loss and then use those losses to offset realized investment gains in the same year. The key is to make a lateral move in your account and use …
What is a Roth IRA and how is it different from a Traditional Individual Retirement Account? Both Traditional and Roth IRAs are dedicated retirement accounts, with a few key differences: Tax Incentives: While both Roth and Traditional IRAs include tax incentives, the timing of when you receive those benefits differs. With Traditional IRAs, the benefit comes at the front end. Contributions …
We asked the advisors at local firm, VLP Financial Advisors on what investment advice that have or strategies they recommend during the recent market downturn. Buy Low (If you Can) Warren Buffett said “Try to be fearful when others are greedy and greedy only when others are fearful”. With these words in mind, a downturn can be seen as a …
