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What If You Could Predict the Future?
Even though we all know we can’t predict the future, it doesn’t seem to stop us from trying. The news is filled with predictions and opinions from various “experts” doing the same thing.
2024 First Quarterly Letter
Stocks started the year strong with the S&P 500 gaining 10%, continuing the late 2023 rally. Tech stocks led, while value stocks, especially in the energy and financial sectors, also saw robust gains.
Big News for (Some) Inherited IRA Owners
First off, this update from the IRS only affects certain Inherited IRA and Inherited Roth IRAs - those where the original account owner (referred to as the decedent) passed away in 2020 or later. If you have that type of inherited account, keep reading!
What Should You Do About Surprise Medical Bills?
We don’t plan to have a medical emergency. Rather, something happens and we need to rush to the emergency room of a local hospital.
The Value of a Balance Sheet
At Eclectic Associates, we believe that getting a look at a client’s entire financial picture, not just their retirement and brokerage accounts, guides us in making sound and well-informed decisions for our clients. Not only is it important for us to have a holistic view of a client’s overall wealth, but there are many times when a client does not yet have a grasp of their own true net worth.
Kiddie Tax, UTMAs, and 529s
Recent changes in the tax law have expanded on the rules for 529 accounts, making them an extremely useful tool for helping the next generation get ahead whether they end up going to college or not.
Elder Law vs. Estate Planning – What’s the Difference?
Daniel (Dan) York is an Elder Law Attorney who practices in the Fullerton area. During a recent presentation, Dan mentioned his concentration on elder law and how it differs from general estate planning. We thought that was an intriguing and perhaps often misunderstood topic, so we asked Dan to discuss it further in the following interview.
How Presidential Election Years Affect the Stock Market
Election season is in full force here in the United States, but Tuesday, November 5th, 2024 still feels a long way away. Between election uncertainty and geopolitical events, we shouldn’t be surprised if stock market volatility rises. You may be wondering what to expect from the rest of this presidential election year.
2023 Year-End Letter
Despite numerous risks, the markets climbed “a wall of worry” and reversed much of the losses from 2022. Most of the gains were earned in the last nine weeks of the year.
Who is IRMAA and Why is She Taking My Money?
IRMAA or the Income Related Medicare Adjustment Amount is a Medicare surcharge or tax determined by your two-year prior MAGI (Modified Adjust Gross Income).
Managing Your Debt and Credit Score
Managing your credit card balance and overall credit usage percentage is a critical part of maintaining a good credit score.
Give It Away Now
If you, like so many others, are putting off making your charitable donations until it gets closer to the end of the year, we suggest you start on that right away.
Three Required Distribution Changes You Should Know About
As we enter into the final months of 2023, the deadline to comply with the Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) rules is quickly approaching.
2023 Third Quarterly Letter
We think investors are susceptible to making a couple of mistakes in the current market.
Medicare Checklist for 2023 and Beyond
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is here. This is the time frame each year when eligible individuals can make changes to their Medicare insurance coverage for the following year.
Minister's Housing Allowance: Benefits and Pitfalls
It’s important for American pastors to understand ministers housing allowance and seek out trusted counsel to make sure they take advantage of this tax benefit.
Check Your Beneficiaries. Now!
Naming beneficiaries is a relatively simple way to direct where your retirement and some other types of accounts will go when you die.
2023 Second Quarterly Letter
The highly anticipated recession of 2023 hasn’t happened yet and there are signs that it won’t happen this year.