We Look at Your Whole Financial Picture
Welcome to our website! Please browse around. Become a knowledgeable taxpayer and help us help you. Remember we want you to contact us with your "Here's what we're thinking about doing" questions--not your "guess what we just did" comments. Taxes are only part of your financial picture. Investments,* insurance, estate planning, long term care, and other areas can contribute to your long term plan development. It's not too late to start saving for retirement or to get assistance in how to take your retirement savings in a tax-advantaged way. We have articles on this website to help educate you and we're here to advise you about your particular situation. Investment and financial planning services are offered by Lori Rust through her affiliation with Avantax.
Helpful Content
Tax Deductions You Won't Believe
Here are some examples of deductions from the IRS that were permitted and some that were, uh, too creative.
The Half Million Dollar Baby
The true cost of raising a child may be far more than you expect.
Please Leave Home Without It
Concerns over identity theft continue to grow, especially with data breaches at major companies and financial institutions.
Success in Their Own Words
Why freedom, not money, is the mark of financial success and other surprising insights from professional representatives.
6 Tips to Live Your Best (Retired) Life
Your clients need to focus not only on the money they'll need for retirement, but also what to do with their time
Key Money Moments: 4 Times You Should Talk to a Pro
Life happens fast, and your finances can take a backseat if you’re not careful. Is it time to check in with a financial professional? This infographic will help you examine your own financial situation and decide if it’s time to step up your financial game.
How Helping Charities Helps You
Donation is on people’s minds around tax season.
Inventorying Your Possessions
Creating an inventory of your possessions can save you time, money and aggravation in the event you someday suffer losses.
How Growing a Business is Like Raising a Child
Careful and considered planning can help you nurture your business through its lifecycle into an independent enterprise.
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Saving for College
This calculator can help you estimate how much you should be saving for college.
How Compound Interest Works
Use this calculator to better see the potential impact of compound interest on an asset.
Social Security Taxes
Estimate how much of your Social Security benefit may be considered taxable.
Self-Employed Retirement Plans
Estimate the maximum contribution amount for a Self-Employed 401(k), SIMPLE IRA, or SEP.
Comparing Mortgage Terms
Estimate the total cost in today's dollars of various mortgage alternatives.
Can I Refinance My Mortgage?
This calculator can help determine whether it makes sense to refinance your mortgage.
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Principles of Preserving Wealth
How federal estate taxes work, plus estate management documents and tactics.
Protecting Those Who Matter Most
The importance of life insurance, how it works, and how much coverage you need.
An Inside Look at Retirement Living
A number of questions and concerns need to be addressed to help you better prepare for retirement living.
5 Smart Investing Strategies
There are some smart strategies that may help you pursue your investment objectives
Long-Term-Care Protection Strategies
The chances of needing long-term care, its cost, and strategies for covering that cost.
5 Smart Investing Principles
Principles that can help create a portfolio designed to pursue investment goals.
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A Fruitful Retirement: Social Security Benefit
Taking your Social Security benefits at the right time may help maximize your benefit.
The Junk Drawer Approach to Investing
It's easy to let investments accumulate like old receipts in a junk drawer.
Bridging the Confidence Gap
In the world of finance, the effects of the "confidence gap" can be especially apparent.
Timing Your Retirement
This short video illustrates why knowing when to retire can be a crucial part of your strategy.
Choosing a Mortgage
Selecting a mortgage isn't an easy process. Get a better understanding of how professionals make the right decisions.
Video: The Independence of Financial and Emotional
Greater financial and emotional confidence brings greater independence. Isn’t that what it’s all about?