Posts by Nick Ziarek
Tip of the Month | September 2022
Reminders for Charitable Giving Written By: Nick Ziarek, CFP®, CFA 1) You maximize the tax efficiency by donating appreciated stock compared to cash. 2) If you write checks to charity directly from your IRA to satisfy your Required Minimum Distributions (RMD), remember to send those checks out early. The charities must receive and deposit the check…
Read MoreThe Worst Bond Market Ever
The Worst Bond Market Ever Written By: Nick Ziarek, CFP®, CFA The first half of the year presented many challenges for the markets: the Russia/Ukraine conflict, inflation climbing to 40-year highs and tightening from the central banks. With those challenges came increased volatility and an aggressive repricing of risk in both the stock and bond…
Read MoreWhat is Happening with Inflation?
What is Happening with Inflation? Written By: Nick Ziarek, CFP®, CFA Inflation is everywhere you look: airfares, dining out, groceries (both in the form of price and shrinking packaging), and probably most noticeably at the pump. The most recent inflation number was 8.5% for May, the highest point since December 1981 when inflation was 8.9%.…
Read MoreTip of the Month | I-Bonds
I-Bonds: An Appealing Alternative to Excess Cash Reserves Written By: Nick Ziarek, CFP®, CFA A lot of attention has been given of late to the old Series I-bonds offered by the US government. And rightfully so; they are a savings bond that offers a combination of a fixed coupon and a variable rate based on…
Read MoreTip of the Month | April 2022
Estimated Tax Payments Written By: Nick Ziarek, CFA, CFP® Generally, anyone who anticipates they will owe more than $1,000 when they file their return should make quarterly estimated tax payments. Failure to do so can result in a penalty at tax time. The penalty can be avoided if you paid at least 90% of this…
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