Blog
2021 Off to a Fast Start
The first week of 2021 has already had many ups and downs. Just because it’s a new year doesn’t mean that the 2020 issues go away, and so far, 2021 has been no exception to this rule.The markets opened on January 4 and...
Read MoreDo Something in 2021
Someone once said that hindsight often provides clear 20/20 vision. Not only did the year 2020 not provide a clear vision for the future, it was certainly not one anyone could have predicted. COVID-19, an economic recession, a stock...
Read MoreHow a Biden Administration May Affect the Markets
First off, this post has nothing to do with politics. It has everything to do with investing.On Saturday, November 7, major news outlets called the 2020 presidential election in favor of Joe Biden. Once inaugurated, he will become the...
Read MoreManaging Money as a Couple
When you marry or simply share a household with someone, your financial life changes—and your approach to managing your money may change as well. The good news is that it is usually not so difficult.At some point, you will have...
Read More2021 Limits for IRAs, 401(k)s and More
On October 26, the Treasury Department released the 2021 adjusted figures for retirement account savings. Although these adjustments won’t bring any major changes, there are some minor elements to note.401(k)s. The salary...
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End-of-the-Year Money Moves
What has changed for you in 2020? For many, this year has been as complicated as learning a new dance. Did you start a new job or leave a job behind? That’s one step. Did you retire? There’s another step. Did you start a...
Read MoreYour Vote Matters
“The most important office, and the one which all of us can and should fill, is that of private citizen.” - Louis Brandeis, former Supreme Court Justice On November 3, you and I will be among the most important people in...
Read MoreSocial Security Announces 2021 COLA
On October 13, 2020, the Social Security Administration (SSA) officially announced that Social Security recipients will receive a 1.3 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2021. This adjustment will begin with benefits payable...
Read MoreElection Season and The Market
Pandemics and protests. Wildfires, market crashes, and a recession. If someone ever tries to tell the story of 2020 on film, it will take more movies than Star Wars. At one point, we even had to worry about murder hornets. Murder...
Read MoreOctober Is Financial Planning Month
When training to become a financial professional, much of our course work centers on the six critical areas of creating a financial strategy. Some recognize October as Financial Planning Month, so it's an excellent opportunity to...
Read MoreAnnual Financial To-Do List
What financial, business, or life priorities do you need to address for the coming year? Now is an excellent time to think about the investing, saving, or budgeting methods you could employ toward specific objectives, from building...
Read MoreReconsidering When to Begin Taking Social Security
One of the biggest mistakes people can make when planning for retirement is failing to maximize their Social Security benefits. Why is this a mistake? After all, you may have heard that Social Security is broken, or that it...
Read MoreBudgeting For Beginners
Budgeting towards needs and goals. One of the objectives of creating a household budget is that, as time moves on and the various household members advance in their careers, they are likely to make more money. Knowing where that money...
Read MoreHas the Stock Market Rally Left You Behind?
Some people in recent weeks may have been feeling that “the stock market seems to be doing so well but I’m not participating.”A look behind the headlines helps tell the story.A CNBC study found that between the stock...
Read MoreGrandparents' Day 2020
We have holidays for Mom and Dad, which makes perfect sense. We also have holidays celebrating political figures (Presidents' Day), a 500-year-old naval explorer (Columbus Day), and a weather-predicting rodent (Groundhog's Day). All...
Read MoreWho Is Your Trusted Contact?
Investment firms have a new client service requirement. They must now ask you if you would like to provide the name and information of a trusted contact.1You do not have to supply this information, but it is encouraged. The request is...
Read MoreEnd-of-Summer Market Update
Speed bump, stop sign, or red light? That’s the question investors are asking. Let me explain. After cruising for the past five months, the markets screeched to a halt on September 3rd. The Dow dropped over 800 points, and the...
Read MoreWhy Roth IRA Conversions May Now Be Advantageous
Roth IRAs have attracted retirement savers since their introduction in 1998. They offer the potential for tax-free retirement income, provided Internal Revenue Service rules are followed.Do Roth IRAs seem even more attractive these...
Read MoreWhy Regular Rebalancing Makes Sense
Everyone loves a winner. If an investment is successful, most people naturally want to stick with it. But is that the best approach? It may sound counterintuitive, but it may be possible to have too much of a good thing. Over time, the...
Read MoreLabor Day 2020
Labor Day is coming up! Normally, we’re used to celebrating it with parades, barbecues, and sometimes, fireworks. Unfortunately, for this Labor Day, we will have to go without the traditional celebrations. But I think I can speak...
Read MoreGet Your FAFSA Ready
Mark this date on your calendar: October 1. That is the day when current and future traditional college students can start submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2021-22 school year. For many students,...
Read MoreAn Important Reminder for Retirees
Under normal circumstances, retirees over the age of 72 are required to withdraw a minimum amount from their IRA, 401(k), or 403(b) account every year. These withdrawals are called required minimum distributions, or RMDs. But we...
Read MoreStarting a Roth IRA For a Teen
Want to give your child or grandchild a great financial start? A Roth IRA might be a choice to consider. There are many reasons why starting a Roth IRA for a teenager may be a sound financial strategy. Read on to learn more about how...
Read MoreSummer Market Thoughts
My thoughts on investing amid the current market situation Every year around this time, parents, grandparents, and guardians prepare for Back to School season. This year is no different – except how they prepare may be very...
Read MoreAugust 2020 Client Update
The month of July ended with the S&P 500 closing above where we ended 2019, finally. While the NASDAQ is positive for the year, the Dow Jones Industrial Average ended July still negative for the year (-7.8% YTD). For the most part, the...
Read More4 Coronavirus Cybersecurity Tips
Everyone knows that the coronavirus has changed how we live, work, and play. As a result, people are spending more money and time on the internet than ever before. In fact, some experts estimate that Americans are spending 30% more...
Read MoreA Little Extra
Three stories about how doing a little extra can make all the difference, even during the pandemic. As you know, the coronavirus has made certain aspects of life more difficult. Work, education, and leisure have all been transformed...
Read MoreCoronavirus Economic Update
Coronavirus Economic Update Dear Reader, What will the economic recovery look like? It's the million-dollar question. Will it be V-shaped, with the economy bouncing back as swiftly as it fell? Or will it be more like the Nike swoosh-a...
Read MoreOn The Move With Your Job? Don’t forget about your 401(k)
The other day I heard a familiar saying on the radio…Those lazy, hazy days of summer. Lazy? I don’t know about your family but our household gets even busier during the summer. In fact, it can be quite hectic. The months...
Read MoreMedal of Honor: The Story Of Ben Salomon
In honor of Memorial Day, I’d like to tell you a story about a man named Ben Salomon. Ben Salomon was a dentist. He went to school, got his degree, and started his own dental practice at the tender age of 23. The most trying...
Read MoreDon’t Forget About Mom: Stay-at-Home Spouses and Retirement
She has the toughest job of them all. She runs the household, manages the family budget, makes sure everyone is where they need to be and carries the lion share of rearing the children…all before 9 AM. She is Mom. The most...
Read MoreFive Things To Do In An Uncertain Economy
Do you get the uneasy feeling that things in our economy are not so great? The stock market has been acting more like a roller coaster at Six Flags rather than a place to put your savings. Economic reports have not been positive and...
Read MoreCollege Funding Options
You can plan to meet the costs through a variety of methods. How can you cover your child’s future college costs? Saving early (and often) may be the key for most families. Here are some college savings vehicles to consider. 529...
Read MoreTax Moves To Consider This Year
Consider making tax moves earlier rather than later. If you own a business, earn significant investment income, are recently married or divorced, or have a Flexible Savings Account (FSA), you may want to work on your income tax...
Read MoreThe Sweetheart Scam: how to protect those you love
Valentine’s Day reminds us of all the people we love, and family and friends are always at the top of our lists. Protecting our aging parents and friends is an important way we show love to the elderly people in our lives....
Read MoreThe SECURE Act: What you need to know
Important Provisions of the SECURE Act You won’t be surprised to learn that the SECURE Act is over 20,000 words long. While there isn’t room to cover every provision of the law here, what follows is a brief overview of the...
Read More3 Things Women Need In Retirement To Be Happy
Most of our days are spent working hard just to get to the weekend for a little break before the cycle starts again on Monday. Sometimes it’s hard to lift our heads up long enough to make plans for our next vacation, much less...
Read MoreWhat Your Budget Says About Your Values
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21 (NIV) These are some of the most well-known words that Jesus ever uttered regarding money. Your money and your heart are travel companions. What you value (where...
Read MoreShould You Really Be Helping Your Adult Children Financially?
Did you know that 79% of parents still help their adult children financially? (1) You may read that statistic and think, “Yeah, I’m one of them!” It’s natural to want to help your children, especially since the...
Read MoreYour Client Bill Of Rights
Our role as financial professionals goes beyond providing financial education and creating financial strategies. An integral part of our job lies in our commitment and responsibility to our clients, which involves the experience our...
Read MoreHow Much Life Insurance Do You Really Need?
Of all the financial products to have in our arsenal, I think most of us would agree that life insurance is definitely one of the most important. However, in a survey conducted in 2017, more than 4 in 10 people didn’t own a life...
Read MoreCommon Mistakes Pre-Retirees Make
When life gets hectic and there’s never enough time in the day to get through your task list, do you know what suffers? Your future. When we give all of our attention to the urgent instead of the important, we lose that long-term...
Read More10 Questions To Ask Your Financial Advisor
We have no lack of options these days. Whether it’s choosing a restaurant or finding a doctor, there are so many choices that it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and doubt your decision. When it comes to choosing a financial...
Read MoreHow Much Risk Is In Your 401(k)?
If it came down to it, many of us would probably choose to minimize the amount of risk in our life. We don’t want our kids to get hurt, be in a car accident, or deal with house repairs gone wrong. But life is full of risk, and if...
Read MoreSocial Security: What You Don’t Know Might Cost You
Chances are, like many of us, you probably don’t analyze each deduction on your paycheck every payday. You already know the basics that come out, such as taxes, your healthcare premium, and, of course, Social Security. And while...
Read MoreGiving Back Through Qualified Charitable Donations
I believe that we are called to be stewards of our money and be generous to those around us. If you, like me, have a desire to give back, then I have great news for you. You may be able to save money on taxes with your charitable...
Read MoreShould You Pay Down Your Mortgage Or Invest The Money?
For those of you who are expecting to retire in 10 years or less, you may be bouncing around one of two ideas in your head: bulking up your mortgage payments so you can completely own your home sooner OR putting your money toward...
Read More5 Financial Actions To Take Before The Ball Drops In 2018
This year is quickly coming to a close, and if you’re like most Americans, you spend the month of December neck-deep in Christmas parties, shopping for gifts, and planning for travel. You might think that managing your finances...
Read MoreWhat Is Your Long-Term Care Plan?
If you want something done right, do it yourself. A saying we find rings true in many areas of life, and most definitely rings true with long-term financial planning. If you rely on your loved ones or on federal programs like Medicaid...
Read MoreHow To Teach Your Kids About Money
If you’re like most parents, the minute you hold your new child in your arms, you start thinking about all the things you’re going to do with them and the lessons you will teach them along the way. Most parents want to see...
Read MoreMedicare Open Enrollment Starts On October 15th. What Do You Need To Know?
While it’s exciting to think ahead to retirement after decades of hard work, the countless financial decisions you need to make may seem daunting. And with healthcare being one of the top five expenses in retirement, (1) your...
Read MoreHow To Maximize Your Baylor Scott & White Health Benefits Package
Baylor Scott & White Health is the largest not-for-profit healthcare system in Texas encompassing 48 hospitals and employing over 47,000 people. They provide excellent benefits including retirement, healthcare, life insurance, and much...
Read MoreHow To Maximize Your Baylor University Benefits Package
Baylor University employees receive a variety of benefits including retirement, healthcare, and life insurance to name a few. The benefits package is competitive and lucrative for employees. Here at ClearVista Financial, we help Baylor...
Read MoreWhat Should You Do When You Turn 59 ½?
Whether you’re planning on retiring soon or not, turning 59½ is a milestone to be celebrated. First off, it’s great that you’re healthy and can enjoy the fruits of your labor. Secondly, it marks a time where...
Read MoreHow to Prepare for a Market Downturn
No matter how closely you follow the market updates or how often you check in on your retirement accounts, you probably know that 2017 was a banner year for stocks. In fact, both the Dow Jones and the S&P 500 celebrated the launch of...
Read MoreDo You Know Someone Who Needs a Second Opinion?
Think back to your last major decision, whether it was a career move, a relocation, a medical treatment, or something else entirely. Did you make a quick choice without exploring your options, or did you conduct research and gather as...
Read MoreThe Biggest Financial Mistakes I See
It’s disheartening that with so much financial education out there, people are still making mistakes with their finances. We need to acknowledge that perhaps we need some help to take our finances to the next level. Before doing...
Read MoreFor Love and Money: 5 Steps to Help Couples Stay on the Same Page
Have you ever found it difficult to separate emotions from financial or investment decisions? If your answer is “yes,” you’re not alone. Many of us have particular money habits instilled in us from a young age, be it...
Read MoreDo You Understand Your Emotions About Money?
Have you ever had buyer’s remorse after making a big purchase? Have you ever let fear of failure keep you from investing, or even creating a budget? If you have, you know firsthand how much of a role emotions play in our...
Read MoreWhat Does Trump’s New Tax Plan Mean for You?
On Wednesday, December 20, 2017, Congress passed the final version of their new tax bill, which is set to be signed into law by President Trump. Since the campaign trail, President Trump has spoken of sweeping tax reform and this bill...
Read MoreWe’re Here For Your Friends and Family This Holiday Season
Can you believe 2017 is almost over? I think it’s safe that say that most of us can’t. There’s a good chance many of us set out to accomplish some financial goals this year and, for whatever reason, many not have...
Read More10 Questions You Should Ask Your Advisor
With over 200,000 financial advisors across the country, how do you know which one will be the right fit for your situation and personality? (1) The financial advisor you choose to handle your family’s wealth will have a...
Read MoreClearVista Financial Advisors Are Fiduciaries - Here’s What That Means For You
In the news recently, the word “fiduciary” has been thrown around a lot in regards to financial advisors and their duties. The concept can seem confusing to people, as many assume that all advisors, whether they’re...
Read MoreFive Threats to Your Retirement Savings
Many of the clients I work with may resemble you: a hard-working family who has saved over the years to pursue a comfortable retirement. While they’re budget-conscious, they aren’t familiar with the ins and outs of...
Read MoreHow Much Do You Know About Social Security? (Quiz)
Social Security can be complicated to navigate at times, but since it’s so vital to your retirement income plan, it’s important to make wise decisions and create strategies to optimize your benefits. If you’re...
Read MoreDoes Someone You Know Need a Financial Second Opinion?
Whether you’re an investment novice or a daily Market Watch reader, we all know the markets have been especially volatile and confusing these last few years. As a result, even the most patient of investors may start to question...
Read MoreDoes Your Retirement Savings Line Up With Your Peers?
As we get older, it seems as though we’re faced with more and more news articles and stories about our impending retirement. And a lot of the advice can either be contradictory or overwhelming. You need X amount for a 20-year...
Read MoreYour Digital Estate Planning Guide
You’ve probably already done your estate planning. You have a will, maybe some trust documents, a power of attorney. Your whole life is organized and documented so that someone else can take care of things if you become...
Read MoreWhat I Do and How I Can Help
For many people, it’s hard to find the time and resources to confidently build and manage your assets. And it can be even more difficult to know how to integrate your personal values into your financial plan. At ClearVista...
Read MoreWhy I Became a Financial Advisor
Our interests and passions can change a lot throughout our lives, but some traits are ingrained in us and make us who we are. For me, that’s helping people. I’ve been helping people throughout my life in some capacity....
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