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Your IRA or 401k Balance is Not all Your's

Your IRA or 401k is partially yours and partially the property of the IRS. Unfortunately, the IRS doesn't tell you what they get until you make a withdrawal. RETIREMENT PLAN REALITY CHECK IRA Balance               Marginal Tax Rates…
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Is College Worth it Today? An Alternative Idea

When I went to college ( U. Of  Iowa) the out-of-state cost was around $5,000.  Four years and $20,000 or so later I and was done (thanks again mom and dad for paying). My first salaried job paid me $19,500, or almost the equivalent of what…
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Why I Prefer Stocks to Bonds

For the past 30 years, interest rates have been moving down and bond prices have been going up.  Now, interest rates are at a level when the best case is they "stay flat" as there is not much room to go any lower. With the low-interest rates…
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Stock Market Roars Up - Use Logic Rather Than Emotion

The U.S. stock market just had a terrific first quarter.  The S&P 500 index was up 10.0% over the past three months. My client portfolios were not up that much because they also own many other investment asset classes that didn't advance…
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You're Not Alone - Who Can Afford College Today? College Calculator

College costs for kids today are ridiculous and unaffordable for most people. We are in this together.  I have three children ages 14,13 and 11 that are planning on attending four-year colleges as of now.  The future costs could be close…
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Take Advantage of Tax-Free Roth IRA

Yes, I am referring to you. My favorite retirement savings vehicle is the Roth IRA and you may be wise to use it. There are 3 ways to fund a Roth IRA. 1. FRONT-DOOR Roth Contribution  - Contribute directly if - Married family income…
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Time is Running Out to Get 529 Plan Tax Write Off for 2019

Save for College & Save Taxes HURRY UP to get this done before year-end!   Get your IL 529 College Savings Plan contribution in before year end and get a write off on your IL Income Tax Return.    There are two plans to choose from in…