Recent Posts
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
Special Needs Planning Considerations
Special Needs Planning Considerations: ABLE Accounts, Special Needs Trusts and the Survivor Benefit Plan Military retiree benefits provide additional planning opportunities and considerations for families
Quantifying the Benefits of Military Credit Card Rewards Hacking
Quantifying the Benefits of Military Credit Card Rewards Hacking Military members and their spouses have amazing advantages in many aspects of personal finance. One of
Military Topics
Should you Buy Back your Military Time?
Should you Buy Back your Military Time? What is military buyback? If you served on active duty in the military and then become a federal
Military Retirement: Should You Take SBP?
Military Retirement and the Big SBP Decision This article was jointly written by Adrienne Ross, CFP ®, AFC ®, and Pam Bergeson, CRPC As you’re
How Much is Your Military Compensation Actually Worth?
Understanding Your Entire Military Compensation For any servicemembers who are transitioning out of the military or perhaps daydreaming about what that might look like someday,
Small Goals, Big Impact
Goal Setting in 2021 Like many of you, I started the new year with a list of personal goals to make the most of 2021.
Financial Planning
Credit Reports and Scores Are More Important Than Ever!
Credit Reports and Scores are more important than ever! In July, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates one more time to reach a 20 year
What is MQFP®, and Why Do We Need It?
What is MQFP®, and Why Do We Need It? Since late 2021, some colleagues and I have been developing a certification for financial professionals who
Estate Planning Basics for Military Families
One of your most valuable (but rarely discussed!) military benefits is access to free legal assistance from your local Legal Assistance Office. The Legal Assistance
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
Side Hustle or Contractor Retirement Savings Options
Side Hustle or Contractor – You have options! Retirement savings options, that is. Technology and post-Covid acceptance of remote work has created more opportunity than
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
Taxes
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
2021 Tax Updates
Understanding 2021 Tax Updates (before you file your taxes) This meme pops up in my social media feed from time to time: It’s clever and
Military Retirement: Should You Take SBP?
Military Retirement and the Big SBP Decision This article was jointly written by Adrienne Ross, CFP ®, AFC ®, and Pam Bergeson, CRPC As you’re
How Much is Your Military Compensation Actually Worth?
Understanding Your Entire Military Compensation For any servicemembers who are transitioning out of the military or perhaps daydreaming about what that might look like someday,
Top 7 FAQs for Military Real Estate Investing
Understanding Real Estate Investing for Military There are numerous ways to engage in real estate investing. There’s flipping, commercial offices, wholesaling, investing in notes, and
Do Military Families Really Need a Financial Planner?
Do Military Families Really Need a Financial Planner? I am frequently asked some form of this question, and my short answer is, “Yes, military families
College & Education Planning
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
I Learned Everything I Needed to Know about Investing in Kindergarten
Investing Lessons from Childhood I had one of those “Aha!” moments recently. You know – the ones where you figure something out after a really
Top 7 FAQs for Military Real Estate Investing
Understanding Real Estate Investing for Military There are numerous ways to engage in real estate investing. There’s flipping, commercial offices, wholesaling, investing in notes, and
Do Military Families Really Need a Financial Planner?
Do Military Families Really Need a Financial Planner? I am frequently asked some form of this question, and my short answer is, “Yes, military families
TSP Lifecycle Fund Changes
What’s the Deal with TSP L Funds and their new updates? Unicycles, bicycles, lifecycles – The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Lifecycle (L) Funds are evolving
Military Thrift Savings Plan Essentials
Understanding the military thrift savings plan essentials The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is the government long-term retirement savings and investment plan, similar to a civilian