IRA Giving After Age 70 1/2 : How to Make a Qualified Charitable Distribution

IRA Giving After Age 70 ½: How to Make a Qualified Charitable Distribution As a former CPA with over 40 years of experience, our observation is that people are very generous with the donations they make. People typically donate cash, write a check to the charity, or put the donation on their credit card. Now,… Continue Reading: IRA Giving After Age 70 1/2 : How to Make a Qualified Charitable Distribution

6 Easy Ways a Financial Advisor Can Add Value

1) Risk Management

I know risk management is just another term for insurance. No one wants to read about insurance, much less buy more of it. Insurance however is just a way to share the risk. There are many risks we face and not all of them can be insured against. A good financial advisor will be able to articulate the risks and offer the ways to manage these risks.

2) Cash Flow

Face it, money is tight. The economy is not exactly roaring. One way a financial adviser can add value is to get a handle on your expenses. It won’t be their job to tell you what your budget is. That’s your job. A good advisor however will be able to tell you what the consequences of going off the reservation too far are. Day to day living expenses, saving for retirement and education and oh, paying for a little vacation all add up.

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5 Easy Reasons to Fund a 529 College Savings Plan

This article is original content written by Manchester, CT Financial Advisor Thomas Scanlon, CFP®, CPA 1) College is Expensive Financing a college education today can be a big challenge.  Having written some checks for college I find it handy to have a cold six pack close by. According to the College Board, the average tuition… Continue Reading: 5 Easy Reasons to Fund a 529 College Savings Plan

Make Your Checks Payable to the Smith Family Education Fund…

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  Really? It’s difficult enough when someone passes away.  It’s even more difficult when someone passes away with minor children.  It’s unbelievable when someone with minor children passes away and has not appropriately planned for the funding of their education.   It’s one thing if you are not insurable.   I get that.  If you are in… Continue Reading: Make Your Checks Payable to the Smith Family Education Fund…

Estate Planning Lessons Learned From My Mom’s Estate

This article is original content written by Manchester, CT Financial Advisor Thomas Scanlon, CFP®, CPA My mother passed away at age 84.  While her estate was fairly modest, here is some estate planning lessons we learned about her estate. Give While You Are Alive My mom’s estate was modest.  She had a house, a car… Continue Reading: Estate Planning Lessons Learned From My Mom’s Estate