Now might be your golden opportunity to convert your traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. The Tax Cut and Jobs Act that was signed into law in December lowered the top individual income tax rate to 37% from 39.6% and reduced many other rates as well. That means if you convert your traditional IRA to a Roth and agree to pay taxes on those funds now, you will be paying at a lower rate than in the past.

The Tax Cut and Jobs Act signed into law in December made an important modification to 529 college savings plans, a widely used college savings vehicle.  529 plans can now be used for qualified K-12 educational expenses. 

At this special time of year when we give thanks and gratitude for all that we have in our lives, please take a moment to give the same thanks and gratitude to yourself. We are living in an age where life is moving very fast and the expectation to be constantly in motion makes it difficult to keep up or feel that you are not falling behind. Too often, we do not give ourselves credit for what we have accomplished.

The media report daily on the results of investment indexes.  When you hear that the S&P 500 is up, do you know if that means your investments are doing well?  Let’s review a few types of indices and what they represent.

One of the best gifts you can give children is to teach them the basics about managing money.  If they can learn the discipline and wisdom involved in making wise choices at an early age, they could benefit tremendously in future years.

The prime time for a child to begin learning good financial habits usually occurs during the “tween to teen” years of adolescence according to Wealth Management studies.  At this age, they are old enough to grasp basic concepts, but young enough to still listen to parents and other adults.

The thought of estate planning can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Anyone can take basic steps to put their accounts and assets in order.  The cost is minimal and the process is often simple.  Certain types of accounts or policies, such as life insurance, annuities, IRAs, and many other retirement type accounts, can pass directly to your heirs by simply naming your beneficiary on a form. 

On February 5, many of us were able to witness the biggest comeback in Super Bowl history, as the New England Patriots came back from a 25-point deficit to beat the Atlanta Falcons. To never give up is the lesson that resonates in my mind. Sometimes the outlook is bleak, and factors may seem against a positive result, but if you keep on track, with minor adjustments, you can overcome.

Developing the right state of mind and the right mental habits can lay the groundwork for financial stability. While not a guarantee, acquiring the proper mindset improves your chances of succeeding financially. Following are some thoughts and habits you might want to cultivate.

Prepare for tough times.  Set aside a portion of your monthly income for emergencies.  Make this a mandatory bill that you pay to yourself.  You will have peace of mind knowing that you have funds to fall back on when the unexpected happens.

December can be a time of positive family memories and generous gift giving. Taking a moment to consider your financial checklist at the end of the year could help you potentially keep more money in your wallet.

Experience has taught us that it’s best to keep our voting and investing decisions separate.