As CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals, we are intimately familiar with the term ‘fiduciary.’ It means to put the best interests of others (in our case, our clients) above all else. It’s hard to imagine a job with more fiduciary responsibility than that of a military serviceperson. Veterans, you are called to put the best interests…
Unfortunately, data breaches are a part of our high-tech world. Today, we learned of a new one. Touted by many technology outlets as the “Mother of All Breaches,” the “Collection #1” breach announced today exposed 2.6 billion email addresses and passwords for an unknown list of websites. As the name implies, this could be one…
Medicare premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts change annually. Here’s a look at some of the costs that will apply in 2019 if you’re enrolled in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). Medicare Part B Premiums According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), most people with Medicare who receive Social Security benefits…
While opportunities for tax planning in 2018 are dwindling, it’s not too early to consider making adjustments for next year. The changes that accompanied the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) are coming into focus, and they are keeping tax professionals busier than ever. Here are a few possibilities to consider as you…
This fall, our team attended a seminar focused on Elder Abuse and Reporting. Besides learning about the laws, regulations and definitions associated with elder abuse, we were updated on common elder abuse and consumer scams. Due to accessibility during business hours, possibility of greater discretionary income, and vulnerability to confusion, memory loss, and isolation, fraudsters…
This fall, we helped several of our client families navigate the complexities of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The College Board has released college cost data for the 2018-2019 school year in its annual Trends in College Pricing report recently. Here are the highlights: 4-Year Public Colleges (in-state students): Tuition and fees increased an…
The horrific wildfires impacting California serve an unfortunate reminder on the importance of preparing for a disaster. Operation Hope and FEMA have compiled an Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK) to help you prepare financially and provide tips to reduce the impact that disasters can leave you with. The four simple steps to financial emergency preparedness…
January brings about an opportunity to reset and reframe the year ahead. Join us for a free financial and economic update to get 2019 off to a great start.
PROVIDING FINANCIAL WISDOM, LEADERSHIP AND PLANNING IN TUMULTUOUS TIMES
When: January 22, 2019 | 4 – 6pm
Where: Illahe Hills Country Club | 3376 Country Club Drive S. Salem, OR 97302
Beginning on November 1, 2018, individuals (including their families) may apply for new health insurance or switch to a different health-care plan through a Health Insurance Marketplace under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The open enrollment period for 2019 health coverage ends on December 15, 2018. Individuals can use Health Insurance Marketplaces to compare health…
Blockchain is a data structure used to create a digital ledger shared among a distributed network of computers. It was initially designed for the peer-to-peer exchange of the virtual currency bitcoin. However, businesses are now developing and testing some potentially game-changing blockchain applications. According to a recent survey of executives across a variety of industries,…