To someone in the financial services industry, this may be an obvious question, but I don’t work for them. I do this job for you! When I was a child, English was my worst subject. Ironic considering all the writing I do now, right? I remember one teacher telling me that, when we write, we…
-
July 31st, 2024
Inherited IRAs
I have been getting more questions on Inherited IRAs recently. Inherited IRAs are a sad subject because death is involved. It’s not easy to solve the inherited IRA dilemma while your friend is grieving, but it is a very important service. While everyone appreciates an inheritance, managing that money is the last thing on your…
-
June 24th, 2024
Financial Planning Without Money
Can you take financial planning steps without money? “I need money to plan with before meeting with you,” is the most popular rejection I hear when I talk to people about financial planning. Granted, I am biased because I believe everyone can benefit from some financial planning, but I think that is a lame excuse….
-
May 29th, 2024
How do Retirement Accounts Work?
One of my dear friends asked me about retirement accounts. He didn’t want to know what we invested in, but how the system of investing works. The question was different for me because I am normally talking about our investing products, not how it all works. I’m used to seeing eyes glaze over as I…
-
February 28th, 2024
Investing vs. Gambling
Finally, sports betting will be legal in North Carolina on March 11! Gambling on sports is nothing new. We’ve all participated in our office pools. I remember filling out March Madness brackets as far back as seventh grade, with each game being worth around a quarter. A perfect bracket was worth about thirty dollars, which…
-
January 30th, 2024
Roth IRAs, Elections, and Good Vs. Evil
Instead of using an entire post for my 2024 outlook, I wanted to talk about Roth IRAs. More specifically, we’re going to look at how a Roth IRA is a tool in the battle between good and evil. Sounds crazy, right? Just bear with me. As Christians, we know that battle is over because Jesus…
-
November 29th, 2023
What is the maximum contribution?
Are you making the maximum contribution to your retirement plan? More often than not, when I talk to prospective clients, the resistance people give me sounds something like this. “Jonathan, I already make the maximum contribution to my retirement plan at work, so there’s nothing else I can do.” Normally, I accept the subtle rejection…
-
September 29th, 2023
Strike! Strike! Strike!
Striking for independence. I’m not a fan of strikes or any protests if I’m being honest. Sure, I see their value and how they need to happen, but I wish there was a better way. With the technology we have today there has to be a more efficient way to negotiate. Please understand I am…
-
August 30th, 2023
Where Should I Invest?
“Where should I invest” is one of the most common questions people ask me. It seems simple enough, but it’s really a loaded question. Honestly, I could lose my license by answering the question before gathering more information from a person. Ethically, and legally as I am a fiduciary, your best interest is my top…
