Assisting our Elders – A Cautionary Tale

This is a story that’s personal and a bit troubling to share, mostly because it involves some miscues and errors that I would think, as a financial professional, I might have been able to foresee and avoid.   Since I didn’t, I’m going to share my experience in hopes that it will highlight some steps you…

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Transition Planning

Like many people my age, I have parents in their early 90’s who are no longer able to live independently.  Although it feels to them like an abrupt transition brought on by my mother’s stroke nearly three months ago, in fact the situation has been developing gradually.  For many years, their four children have been…

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Back to School: Getting the Most from Your 529 Plan

If you have college-bound children or grandchildren, it’s worth learning about 529 plans.  These tax-advantaged savings plan for college expenses are named for the internal revenue code section authorizing their use.   529 plans invest after-tax dollars, ideally to grow for several years before the funds can be withdrawn tax-free, if used for qualified education expenses.…

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