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Looking for an easy way to reduce your taxes? Film tax credits are a great way to reduce your taxes every year. Here’s an example of how they work: ABC film company makes a movie in Georgia and spends $1M making the movie. The state of Georgia gives ABC credits up to 30% of what…

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 was recently signed into law. Most pundits have focused on the $1400 per person stimulus checks. There is also a BIG increase to the child tax credit. Here’s what you need to know: The child tax credit has been increased to: $3,600 for each child under age 6…

In case you missed it, Congress passed a 2nd stimulus/aid package at the end of 2020 that authorized the following: Additional $600 stimulus payment to each person making under $75,000 (if filing single) or $150,000 (if filing jointly). The payments phase out for incomes above these limits. Additional paycheck protection program (PPP) funds. Certain businesses…

I aspire to live a great life. I define this as follows: To live a life full of meaning and love. To be healthy and physically capable of doing the activities I enjoy. To experience new things and travel. To give back to others. This kind of life doesn’t just happen overnight. In fact, I’m…

I grew up playing baseball, and it was common advice that I needed to hear, “Don’t swing for the fences.” When trying to hit a homerun, you end up taking your eye off the ball, and usually miss hitting the ball entirely. In investing, there is similar wisdom. Yes, it’s alluring to find an investment…

Some clients check their portfolios weekly. Others might only check it once or twice a year. Whenever you look at your performance, you’re really asking yourself: “How I am doing RELATIVE to some other benchmark?“ For example, if the Dow Jones Industrial Average is up 10% and your portfolio is also up 10%, you would…

Below is an excerpt from an article I thoroughly enjoyed reading. It captures the thoughts and emotions of several clients I’ve spoken to recently, and how/why the market can be so high right now amid all the uncertainty. From its record high on February 19, 2020 the S&P 500 Index1 fell 33.79% in less than 5…

For a lot of investors, the 401(k) is the main savings vehicle for accumulating wealth. 401(k) plans often provide matching contributions which helps you to save more each year, and reach your retirement goals quicker. The downside (in my mind) of some 401(k) plans is that you have limited investment options. It may be difficult…

We have three little kids in our family. We are constantly trying to get them to clean their room, pickup their toys…the list goes on. In the past we had a chore system that worked pretty well. If kids did their chores for the day, they got up to 2 “checks” per day (one for…

The new year is a great time to take stock of your life’s direction. Review what’s going right and what’s gone off course in your life. Sit down and REALLY think about what you value most. Maybe it’s family. Maybe it’s travel and new experiences. Maybe it’s giving back or solving a societal issue. Ask…

20 Second Advisor: Should I buy GA film tax credits?

20 Second Advisor: Big checks for having kids!

20 Second Advisor: Stimulus checks, PPP, and what’s coming?!

20 Second Advisor: New Year – Two questions that drive meaningful change.

20 Second Advisor: Don’t swing for the fences.

20 Second Advisor: Jelly Beans & Performance

20 Second Advisor: Is the Stock Market Divorced from Economic Reality?

20 Second Advisor: Target Retirement Funds – Good or Bad Idea?

20 Second Advisor: Hey Parents! Cash for Chores May Create Entitled Kids.

20 Second Advisor: Live your best life & tweak your 2020 budget