Recent Posts
Are You Down with SBP? (Survivor Benefit Plan)
This blog present a framework for understanding SBP and its role in long-term financial planning When military members retire, one of the biggest decisions they
Financial Freedom! A 4 Step Guide for Women Servicemembers to Build Financial Resilience
Every day, women servicemembers balance mission demands, family responsibilities, and personal goals. But building financial resilience for women servicemembers is what ultimately creates the freedom
Saving For Your Kids – Do They Need A Trump Account?
Did someone say free money? Yes! And if your child qualifies, opening a Trump account is a no-brainer. What if they don’t qualify for the
Military Topics
DoD Healthcare FSA – What You Need To Know
DoD announced that military members will soon have access to a healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA). FSAs allow members to elect to have a portion
20 Good Years – Reserve Retirement
“20 Good Years” The Basics of a Reserve Component Retirement If you’re a traditional or individual reservist or a member of your state’s national
Divide and Conquer – How to Create an Electronic Envelope System
Have you ever felt that no matter how hard you try, sticking to a budget is like trying to hold water in your hands? Do
Blended Retirement System: Evaluate the Lump Sum Option
Unlike some civilian pensions, there is no option to take the full military pension as a lump sum. However, servicemembers retiring under the Blended Retirement
PCS Season: Organize Your Financial Life
PCS Season: Organize Your Financial Life Whether you’re motivated by an upcoming PCS or it’s simply time for a little desk drawer cleaning, the
Tricare for Life – Is It Really Free?
Tricare for Life – Is It Really Free? Military retirees, including reserve retirees over age 60, are familiar with the retiree Tricare drill. And when
Financial Planning
He Was 96: The Financial Lessons His Life (and Death) Taught Us
He Was 96: The Financial Lessons His Life (and Death) Taught Us My oldest client died last night. He was 96. I received this news
Flip The Value: Facing Decisions
Flip The Value: Facing Decisions Lost golf balls I have a confession to make. I don’t like looking for golf balls. If you golf, you
Understanding VA Mortgages and IRRRLs
Understanding VA Mortgages and IRRRLs: Save Money with Your VA Benefits Generally, homeownership is viewed as a cornerstone for building wealth. As World War II
Estate Planning Basics For Military Members
Estate Planning Basics for Military Members One of the most common questions I get from military members related to estate planning is along the lines
What Exactly Does A Comprehensive Financial Plan Look Like?
The first step toward long-term financial stability and living the life you’ve always wanted to live is to create a thorough financial plan. But what
The Balance Sheet Deception: Understanding the Liabilities of Assets
Veterans aren’t strangers to the concept of assets and liabilities. One of the first things anyone does when thinking about personal finance is to map
Taxes
When Veteran Business Owners Should Make an S Corp Election
Many military members and Veterans are venturing into business ownership these days. In fact, 5.5% of business owners in the U.S. were Veterans in 2024.
Military Tax Preparation Options
In addition to being an investment advisor, I am also a tax professional. People will sometimes jokingly accuse me of preferring complicated tax laws because
The C-Word(s)
If you really want to upset someone, use the C-Word. Or the other C-Word. If you want to really get them spinning, use the other,
How to Tame Your Tax Dragon: Review Your W-4
It’s just about tax time and almost nothing drives anxiety more than worrying if you might owe a lot at tax time. Or, maybe you’re
Expanded Tax Credits for Energy Efficient Improvements in 2023
Expanded Tax Credits for Energy Efficient Improvements in 2023 Tax credits for making energy efficient improvements to the taxpayer’s home have been around for a
SECURE Act 2.0
Congress passed the Omnibus Spending Bill on December 23, 2022. Included in the monstrous 4,000+ document were numerous changes to retirement savings accounts collectively known
College & Education Planning
5 Mistakes To Avoid When Splitting the GI Bill
5 Mistakes To Avoid When Splitting the GI Bill The Post 9/11 GI Bill is a fantastic benefit for those who served in the military
Act Now–Become Debt Free!
Act Now, Become Debt Free with PSLF! You could save you thousands of dollars thanks to temporary changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness
New Law Changes Handling of VA GI Bill Program Debts
New VA Management of Education Debts The Johnny Isakson and David P Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 passed into
Getting Your Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) Squared Away
Get Your Student Financial Aid Squared Away What is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid? The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA,
Investing
What Veterans Need to Know About Corporate LTIs
As a financial planner, I focus on helping veterans transition into the corporate world following their military career. Veterans are often unfamiliar with the many
Series I Bonds: Is it time for an exit strategy?
Series I Bonds: Is it time for an exit strategy? When it comes to inflation and our financial lives, inflation receding is a good thing.
Veterans Affairs (VA) Loan Assumption, Good Deal for Me?
Veterans Affairs (VA) Loan Assumption, Good Deal for Me? Mortgage interest rates have hit a 20-year high with average new mortgage rates over 6%. Higher
A Military Family’s Guide to Buying a Home
Recently, I’ve had several discussions with clients who are in the middle of a PCS (permanent change of station) or preparing for one. No tears
New Year IRA Tips
New Year IRA Tips Still want to save for retirement in 2022? You can! Wait, what? Did you say I can still save for retirement last
Which is Better—A Roth or a TSP?
Which is Better—A Roth or a TSP? If my math is correct, half of the readers of this article’s title are about ready to blow