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Waiting until just before April 15 to start thinking about your taxes may prove to be a costly mistake. Lowering your tax bill involves careful planning. A good tax strategy takes into consideration two time frames – “now” the 12 months of the current tax year, and “later” covers long-range tax strategies that benefit your future.

Don’t let disorganization become one of your biggest money problems. Having information on your accounts and assets organized, updated and shared helps with those unexpected interruptions in life that we all experience. It will be well worth the effort you put in today - for you and the people you love.

You exercise to benefit from your sweat equity in the future, right? The strategy of a good workout is to intentionally place stress on our muscles so that when a health problem arises, our bodies are in better condition to deal with the situation. You also need an investment strategy to accommodate unforeseen future events, such as market downturns.

Today, unlike previous generations, there is an extensive array of financial information that steadily flows from the news media and the Internet. Almost instantaneously, you can review your own finances, ascertain your progress, and make necessary adjustments. However, do all these signs of progress really make managing your finances any easier?

The New Year is a great time to make a commitment to get your finances in order. With proper planning and appropriate guidance, your resolution to make your finances a priority can begin to build financial stability to prepare you for the uncertainties of tomorrow. The New Year is offering you a fresh beginning.

What’s your New Year’s resolution? It’s typically a great time to reflect on changes you want or need to make in your life. Although it’s not easy to think about the possibility of your own failing health or that of someone you love, avoiding the topic isn’t the answer. It’s important to have a long term care plan in place, before you need it, to preserve your family’s assets and have more long term care options.

There is a common misconception that estate planning is something only the affluent need to do before they die. However, estate planning is important for everyone so that a court doesn’t end up making decisions about your assets and your heirs for you. By taking these steps now, you can help insure that your intentions will be followed and that provisions will be made for your loved ones when you are gone.

Making gift decisions while you’re shopping in a store can lead to overextending yourself. It’s called impulse buying, which often ends up costing money and spending time you just don’t have. This article gives you tips on how to take an organized approach to holiday shopping and actually enjoy it while staying within a reasonable budget.

Recapping Mid-August to Mid-November, our Strong Valley advisor team talks about how this has been a rough year for just about everyone, with a recap of worst starts for bonds and stocks, along with a review of what happened with home and used car prices. The team discusses inflation and the Federal Reserve Rate – where it’s been and indications of where it might go. The top 3 questions from clients are answered regarding FTX, a possible 2023 Recession, and ideas on timing to buy when you have cash on hand. We wrap up with predictions on inflation and the rate hike in the coming year.

One of the simplest options for nonprofits wishing to provide employees with access to a tax-advantaged retirement plan is the 403(b) arrangement, which can be attractive due to tax laws. Over the years, the tax laws have been amended to bring 403(b) plan features more into line with those of 401(k) plans, but this article discusses important differences that remain.