Cost-of-living adjustments for next year

The Internal Revenue Service recently announced cost of living adjustments affecting dollar limitations for retirement-related items for the 2018 tax year. Detailed in Notice 2017-64, here are the excerpts directly from the IRS:

Perspectives from a Seasoned Financial Advisor

By most investors, 2017 was a year filled with great highlights. The stock market performed well above its historical average, unemployment hit record lows, interest rates remained modest and volatility was practically non-existent.

As we near the end of the year, it is time to look back at what has happened and determine how it will affect your financial future. Check off these important items so you can start the new year’s finances with peace of mind.

INCOME TAX

We’re all familiar with fitness fanatics, raving about life changing workouts guaranteed to get you into tip top shape. While there is a new fitness craze in the air, it’s time to exercise your wallet. Financial Fitness is a set of goals or programs to help you identify your financial goals, and how to get in the best financial shape of your life.

When I meet with a new client for the first time, I feel it is important to spend the time to get to know them.  From a financial perspective of course, but even more importantly, from a life perspective.  I need to understand what makes them tick, what excites them about their life and their future. What is REALLY IMPORTANT to them!

When I played competitive sports in my younger days, I would work out and train for that sport to become better.  Why, because I wanted to be a better player so I could help the team and make an impact.  To a large extent, I even wanted to be the star and be noticed as a standout.  But I knew one thing for sure; I didn't want to sit on the sidelines and watch the game.

Or, what do you want your story to be?  Deep down we all want our lives to matter, and we want our story to be one of significance.  What will your obituary say about you and the life you lived?  Having seen several clients and friends pass away in the past few years, I have seen more obituaries than I care to.

World travel, both for business and pleasure, is on the rise again and with it the risk exposures for travelers. Liabilities and risks that most people typically cover with a typical homeowner’s policy or travel benefits from their credit card companies are multiplied when traveling the globe. Even medical coverage, suddenly becomes more complicated and traditional insurance solutions fall well short of providing the needed protection if they provide any at all.