McSwain & Company, PS
5 New Year’s Financial Resolutions You Can Actually Keep
December 1, 2024 · Blog, Tip of the Month, Uncategorized
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These articles provide general information on tax, accounting, and financial topics for small businesses and individuals. They are educational in nature and are not specific legal, accounting, financial, tax, or other professional advice, and should not be relied upon as such. This content was prepared by Service2Client and may have been reviewed or edited by the website owner for accuracy and compliance. Look for a trust mark below for verification details. No representation is made that any approach described will achieve a particular result, and no regulatory or professional body has reviewed or endorsed this content. Because each situation is different, readers should consult a qualified professional about their specific circumstances before acting. Images accompanying these articles are protected by copyright and may not be copied or reused.
December 1, 2024
Published by Service2Client on December 1, 2024
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Yep, it’s the end of another year! Chances are, you didn’t keep every resolution you made last year; for example, those goals about working out. (No shame here; we all do this!) However, the good…
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November 1, 2024
Published by Service2Client on November 1, 2024
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It’s that time of year again. Halloween has just come and gone – and now we’re hurtling headlong into Thanksgiving and Christmas. For holiday shopping, it’s tempting to turn a blind eye and put everything on your…
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October 1, 2024
Published by Service2Client on October 1, 2024
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Annuities are one of many products that folks have in their nest egg. But first, what exactly is an annuity?Simply put, itâ??s a contract with an insurance company that promises to pay the buyer a steady stream of income in the future.
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September 1, 2024
Published by Service2Client on September 1, 2024
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Drafting a will is not something that people, for the most part, want to think about. But no one gets out of life alive. So if you want to have a say in what happens to your property and assets after you’re gone, a…
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August 1, 2024
Published by Service2Client on August 1, 2024
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For many parents and kids, living independently after college or trade school has been a challenge – a big one, thanks to rising inflation, student debt, and high rent. However, whether your kids are headed for a university or a hands-on…
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July 1, 2024
Published by Service2Client on July 1, 2024
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Since it’s summer and reading lists are top of mind, now’s the perfect time to expand your knowledge of money management and wealth building. So, whether you’re a retiree, a beginning saver or even a…
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June 1, 2024
Published by Service2Client on June 1, 2024
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There are probably few things as exciting and daunting as becoming a new dad, especially when it comes to finances. But we’ve got you! Here are a few tips to help you turn those challenges into opportunities…
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May 1, 2024
Published by Service2Client on May 1, 2024
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Gosh, it feels great to get that tax refund. Dreams of a much-needed vacation or a splurge on something you’ve been craving might be running through your mind. However, as unexciting as this sounds, you might want to spend this…
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April 1, 2024
Published by Service2Client on April 1, 2024
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What started as Youth Financial Literacy Day some years ago is now a monthlong event: Financial Literacy Month. It all started in 2003, when some U.S. legislators got together and…
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March 1, 2024
Published by Service2Client on March 1, 2024
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Ready or not, spring is right around the corner, and it’s the perfect time to get in fiscal shape for the rest of the year. However, tax preparation isn’t the only thing to put on your list. Here…
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February 1, 2024
Published by Service2Client on February 1, 2024
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January has come and gone. You may or may not have stuck to your resolutions, but the good news is that February is here. Now is the perfect time to hunker down and get your monetary ducks in a row. Here are a few things to put on your…
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January 1, 2024
Published by Service2Client on January 1, 2024
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Here we go again. The new year is approaching and those resolutions are staring us in the face – and the most common? Saving money. In fact, according to…
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December 1, 2023
Published by Service2Client on December 1, 2023
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🖨 Print⏱ 4 min readUnless you’re near retirement, chances are you’re depositing a certain amount of cash each year in your IRA at tax time, then kind of forgetting about it, not thinking much about it until the next year. This dynamic can cost you a lot of money – today and at retirement age. Here are a few ways to make all your hard-earned money work even harder. Invest your money; don’t simply fund it. According to a Vanguard study, two-thirds of last-minute IRA contributions end up just sitting in money market funds. The result? They’re just a little more than a checking account with a fancy name. Lesson: Don’t let your funds sit idle. They should be placed […]
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November 1, 2023
Published by Service2Client on November 1, 2023
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🖨 Print⏱ 3 min readNext year, something called Peak 65 is happening. This moniker refers to the fact that more Americans will reach the traditional retirement age of 65 in the same year than at any time in history. Crazy, right? However, many of these people don’t feel like they’ve saved enough to live comfortably after they retire. Here are some ways to maximize your savings and cut costs so you can be prepared and retire with less financial worry. Use a retirement calculator. This is key. You’ll be able to see if what you have in retirement so far will be enough to actually live on. Here’s the tool. Once you know where you are, you’ll be able to […]
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October 1, 2023
Published by Service2Client on October 1, 2023
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🖨 Print⏱ 3 min readSince tax time isn’t until next April, organizing your documents right about now might not be top of mind or even something you want to do. However, if you don’t want to have to scramble come springtime, you might want to organize your paperwork all year long. Here’s why: It expedites the process when you really do have to begin your tax prep, and it’s actually pretty easy. Start with simple categories (listed below), grab some folders, and put them in a filing cabinet – or any safe place. This way, when tax time comes around, you’ll be ready. Income This is pretty obvious, but it’s not just limited to your paycheck, W-2 forms, or 1099s. […]
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September 1, 2023
Published by Service2Client on September 1, 2023
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🖨 Print⏱ 4 min readEven though numbers are probably the biggest thing in an accountant’s wheelhouse, getting people in the door with the right words in your bio can make all the difference in the world. Here are a few tips to make sure that how you present yourself to the public via your wording is powerful, succinct, and engaging. Make it Short and Engaging Yes, attention spans in our world are woefully short, much like that of gnat. You have seconds to grab someone’s attention. Write your bio as if you were looking for an accountant. How would you word it? What would catch your eye? Of course, you’d start with your name and title, but what after that? […]
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August 1, 2023
Published by Service2Client on August 1, 2023
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🖨 Print⏱ 3 min readIn light of our current economy, making sure your money works hard for you is one of the best things to do this year. Here are some ways you can navigate your financial situation, keep tabs on where you are, and adjust if you need to. Shop for a higher return on savings. These days, every extra cent counts. That’s why it pays to look around for higher rates on savings accounts. Several places to check out are PNC (4.65 percent APY), Sofi (up to 4.4 percent APY), and American Express (4 percent APY). Here are a few others. Rates may increase even more with the Federal Reserve’s rate hike announcement on July 27. Open an […]
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July 1, 2023
Published by Service2Client on July 1, 2023
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🖨 Print⏱ 4 min readThe thrill of summer travel is always invigorating, but the prices to get there can be a real bummer. But not to fear. We’re here with some smart tips that will help you navigate in this price jungle and have a wonderful, memory-filled getaway. Plan Way Ahead Even though you can sometimes find great deals at the last minute, if you can wrap your head around thinking in advance about your vacay (especially if you’re buying long-haul flights), it’ll pay off. For instance, if you’re traveling to Europe or Asia, you’ll find that buying your tickets early not only provides significant savings but also gives you a jump start on exploring other aspects of your trip, […]
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June 1, 2023
Published by Service2Client on June 1, 2023
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🖨 Print⏱ 4 min readSummer is here, and so are all the activities. But as we know, these activities cost money. Here are a few ways you can still have fun and, while doing so, save some cash. Look at Your Calendar Summer months are filled with holidays, birthdays, cookouts, weddings – the list goes on. Take a look and make an estimate of how much you want to spend on each event. When you can plan ahead and figure out your budget, you won’t be faced with surprise expenditures at the last minute. Nobody likes that. Go on a Spending Cleanse We’re not talking for months on end – just a few weeks. During this time, make a point […]
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May 1, 2023
Published by Service2Client on May 1, 2023
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🖨 Print⏱ 4 min readNow that spring is here, it might be a great time to give your finances a fresh look. Here are a few key items to put on your May to-do list. Say Bye-Bye to PMI If you bought your home for less than 20 percent down, there’s a good chance you’ve been paying private mortgage insurance (aka PMI) on your loan, which is usually an extra 1 percent of what you paid. But here’s the good news: the rise in home prices over the past few years has meant one thing — a bump in your home equity. If your equity position is now at least 20 percent of the original purchase price, you might not […]
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