The Trump Account: Free Money for Your Kids and Grandkids, With a Catch
Children born 2025–2028 get $1,000 from the Treasury. Here is how the new accounts work, where they fall short, and what grandparents should know.
Covered California for Early Retirees: How It Works and the 2027 Income Limits
Retiring before 65? Here is how Covered California works, what counts as income, and the 2027 limits for financial help now that the subsidy cliff is back.
Should You Do a Roth Conversion Before Year-End?
A Roth conversion can be one of the best tax moves of the year or an expensive mistake. Here is how to tell which one you are looking at.
Year-End RSU Checklist for Tech Employees
Five things to check before December 31 if a big part of your net worth is company stock.
2026 Tax Table
Your 2026 reference guide for Federal Income Taxes, Traditional & Roth IRAs, Social Security, Gift & Estate Taxes, Health Savings Accounts, and more.
Inflation and Investing
Inflation affects any market economy. Unfortunately, that also means it affects how you invest and why. Most people are aware that putting $10,000 in the bank means losing the buying power of that money over 10 years, but why? Inflation is the answer. That same effect impacts investments, how they earn, and what your eventual return is. After all, [...]
Bonds for a Rising Rate Environment
Today, inflation is the highest we have seen since the 1980s. With peaks of 7% inflation in 2021, it hit a 30 year high in the U.S., leading to a shift in Fed Policy form “transitory” inflation. A rising rate environment has significant impact on investments. Choosing bonds to beat rising inflation can help you to maintain portfolio stability. [...]
What is ESG and How Can I Create Impact in My 401k
ESG or Environmental, Social, and Governance Criteria include standards which you can use to screen investments to ensure they are socially and environmentally responsible. For the socially conscious, it’s easy to see why an ESG considerations would factor heavily in how and why you invest. You want your money to make a difference, not to fossil fuel companies, bad [...]
What is a Mega Backdoor Roth 401k?
Yes, your employer is hiding a Ginormous Mega Backdoor Roth 401k. What now? You qualify for a Mega Backdoor Roth 401(K) if you have Maxed out 401(k) contributions An employer-sponsored 401(k) with voluntary after-tax contributions An employer-sponsored 401(k) with the ability to perform in plan conversions Or the ability to withdrawal after-tax contributions This (somewhat complex) tax [...]
Have I Maxed Out My Retirement Contributions?
Whether you’re contributing to an IRA, 401(K), or a similar strategy, you will (likely) eventually hit a cap. The IRS limits total contributions depending on the retirement strategy you’re using, which works out to $19,500 (+6,500 for 50+) for a 401(K) and $6,000 ($7,500 for 50+ for most. If you earn between $140,000 and $198,000 (single/joint filing) that rate [...]