View from the Lake
Where Financial Planning meets the Real World
Selecting the Best Tax Preparer
Source: http://time.com/money/4193016/how-pick-tax-preparer/ Tax preparation is no easy job. The IRS finds that more than half of tax payers hire a professional to do this daunting tax every tax season. You shouldn’t select just anyone to do your taxes – think about it, you are providing this individual with some of your most personal information (income, social […] Read More
4 Ways to Pamper Yourself in Retirement without Breaking the Bank
Source: http://sixtyandme.com/4-ways-to-pamper-yourself-in-retirement-without-breaking-the-bank/ “There’s often a combination of excitement and anxiety as people approach retirement. The excitement comes from having more free time, but the anxiety comes from figuring out how much can I afford to spend? And what will I do with all that time?” – Kevin Reardon Our entire working life we dream of […] Read More
Working Together: Why a Financial Team is better than a “One-Stop-Shop” Advisor
Do you feel you’re receiving the most accurate and honest financial advice from your current advisor(s)? You wouldn’t be alone if you answered “no.” But then again, how could you be entirely sure? Our financial system is so convoluted it’s no wonder the majority of Americans are poor at managing their money. Consequently, we turn […] Read More
Our Most Recommended Books
In honor of National Book Lover’s Day, we wanted to share with you our most recommended novels. Kevin Reardon: Leadership and Self-Deception This book takes a totally different approach to leadership relative to countless books written on the topic. It addresses the key problems within organizations and within our relationships. These problems can be addressed […] Read More
Why Tax Planning is Essential: Life Transitions & How They Affect Your Taxes
An elite athlete trains all year, for years at a time. They are physically able to do things that most of us can only dream of. Throughout the course of each season, they consistently perform at a high level to help their team. Yet, it’s not uncommon for their ultimate success to come down to […] Read More
Protect your Retirement from Income Taxes
There are a several ways financial advisors can decrease the toll taxes take on retiree clients’ portfolios. Shakespeare President, Kevin Reardon, shares his thoughts on the matter in this CNBC article. Planning Retirement Income Taxes Timing and income can have a positive (or negative) affect on your income tax. Planning accordingly can save clients thousands […] Read More
Saving a Client $100,000+ in Taxes
A recent client experience served as a great example of how we add value to our clients. In this specific example, our strategy saved them over $100,000 in taxes. Here are the details: We had been working with a client for several years. Based on a good experience, they asked us to begin advising their […] Read More
Controlling Capital Gains Tax
You work hard to earn a buck. The government taxes your income a few different ways, including federal income taxes, FICA taxes (Social Security and Medicare) and a state income tax depending on where you live. Your remaining money is used to pay your bills, support your family and if you’re frugal, have enough left […] Read More
How Will We Turn our Assets into an Income Stream?
Although we approach retirement with great expectations, one of the scariest days of a person’s life is the day they retire. This is the day when your paycheck stops. Imagine reaching into your purse or back pocket for your wallet, only to find it’s not there. How will you pay your bills now that you’re […] Read More
