Posted in Finances

The Benefits of Donor-Advised Funds

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As tax planning season and end-of-year charitable giving begin, it’s a good time to consider the benefits of donor-advised funds. Charitable giving has many facets, most notably as an opportunity for you to support the causes and organizations that reflect your values. But giving is also a significant tax and financial planning opportunity, helping you increase your impact and potentially save on your taxes. What is a Donor-Advised Fund? Donor-advised funds offer similar benefits to a private charitable foundation; however,…
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Lessons from the FIRE Movement

Prosperwell Financial

The Financial Independence/Retire Early, or FIRE, movement is an investment practice and lifestyle that focuses on saving aggressively and spending frugally so individuals can move toward financial freedom and perhaps even retire decades ahead of schedule. The movement has been around since the 90’s and has gained more exposure recently as the financial fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic has more people considering what financial independence and freedom from their 9-to-5 jobs could mean for them. Even if early retirement isn’t…
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Tax tips

Year-End 2021 Tax Tips

Prosperwell Financial

Here are some things to consider as you weigh potential tax moves before the end of the year. Defer Income to Next Year Consider opportunities to defer income to 2022, particularly if you think you may be in a lower tax bracket then. For example, you may be able to defer a year-end bonus or delay the collection of business debts, rents, and payments for services in order to postpone payment of tax on the income until next year. Accelerate…
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Women Face Challenges in a Post-Pandemic World

Prosperwell Financial

The COVID-19 economic crisis tested the mettle of all Americans, particularly working mothers. Research shows that the pandemic’s impacts on women have been far-reaching and potentially long-lasting. Now that the U.S. economy is picking up steam, it may be more important than ever for women to re-examine their retirement planning strategies. Effects of the COVID-19 Economy The COVID-19 recession had a disproportionate impact on working women because sectors that typically employ them — including retail, hospitality, and health care —…
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Four Reasons to Review Your Life Insurance Needs

Prosperwell Financial

You may have purchased life insurance years ago and never gave it a second thought. Or perhaps you don’t have life insurance at all and now you need it. When your life circumstances change, you have a fresh opportunity to make sure the people you love are protected. Marriage When you were single, life insurance might have seemed like an unnecessary expense, but now someone else is depending on your income. If something happens to you, your spouse will likely…
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Stock Market Risks in the Spotlight

Prosperwell Financial

During March 2021, the widening availability of COVID-19 vaccinations, signs of improving economic conditions, and a third, $1.9 trillion stimulus package brought about more optimistic growth projections. Even though a healthy economy could be good news for many businesses and the financial markets, rising inflation expectations caused a multi-week sell-off in U.S. government bonds that pushed up longer-term yields and sent the Nasdaq Composite Index into correction territory on March 8, 2021.1 Promising a patient approach, the Federal Reserve stated…
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Don’t Let Debt Derail Your Retirement

Prosperwell Financial

Debt poses a growing threat to the financial security of many Americans — and not just college graduates with exorbitant student loans. Recent studies by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College (CRR) and the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) reveal an alarming trend: The percentage of older Americans with debt is at its highest level in almost 30 years, and the amount and types of debt are on the rise. Debt Profile of Older Americans In the 20-year…
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A Steady Strategy

Prosperwell Financial

One of the most fundamental truths of investing is that you can’t time the market. As legendary investor and economist Bernard Baruch put it, “Don’t try to buy at the bottom and sell at the top. It can’t be done except by liars.”1 Even so, it’s natural to wince a little when you buy an investment only to see the price drop, or sell only to see the price rise. And no matter how much you try to make objective…
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Five Tips to Follow When Applying for a Mortgage

Prosperwell Financial

The housing market during the coronavirus pandemic has certainly been notable. Historically low interest rates resulted in record homebuying, even as housing prices escalated.1 Fortunately, the mortgage industry has been able to keep up with the pace of the real estate market by utilizing already existing technology. Homebuyers can search for lenders, compare interest rates, and apply for mortgages online. In addition, mortgage lenders are able to do alternative appraisals, perform safe home inspections, and conduct closings electronically. Even though…
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Tax Deductions You Might Be Able to Take

Prosperwell Financial

Tax time is upon us and although nobody likes to look at how much money you are paying in, you may not have to pay as much as you think. We have come up with a few deductions that many people are not aware of. If any of these apply to you, they could help shrink your tax bill. Moving Expenses If you are moving because of a new job or because your current job changed locations, you may be…
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