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How much you can spend in retirement and the savings it takes to get there
Who will go first, you or your money? You’ve doubtless had a nightmarish fever dream playing this out if you’re approaching retirement. Countless articles address
The Real Value in Giving Inheritance Before Death
According to one estimate, about $30 trillion will be passed down from older Americans to subsequent generations over the next 30 years.[1] That’s a staggering
Divorce and Social Security: It’s Complicated
Social Security benefits for a divorced spouse may seem like a misnomer, but long pieces of legislation have been written into law to provide for
How the Fiduciary, Fee-Only Model Works
The financial advisory world is undergoing a major transformation in how it serves up advice. More and more, advice is being decoupled from a product
Optimizing Saving and Investing During Retirement
Investing undergoes a few changes when you retire. This of course is expected. You no longer add money to your accounts – you drain them.
What slows down when interest rates speed up
The Federal Reserve is raising interest rates this year with several more hikes expected before year end. This will be the first time in almost
The Best Way to Pay Off a Mortgage in Retirement
If you’re like most Americans, your home is probably your largest asset and your mortgage is probably your largest monthly expense. Paying it off could
Q&A: What’s the difference between an ESOP and an ESPP?
The financial world is loaded with jargon. You’re dealing with company ownership with both an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) or an Employee Stock Purchase
What are I Bonds?
Welcome! In this video we’ll be going over everything you need to know about I Bonds! Enjoy!
How the Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) Impacts Pension Payments
Social Security was established in 1935 as part of President Roosevelt’s ‘New Deal’. The program provided relief from poverty for tens of thousands of seniors
Using a Trust as a Beneficiary of an IRA
The IRA is one of the most significant retirement vehicles in America. In fact, the Investment Company Institute (ICI) reports that as of 2021’s third
The 401k Age 55 Rule for Early Retirement
Retirement accounts like IRAs, Roths, and 401(k)s offer incredible tax benefits. But those benefits come with strings attached. You cannot generally take money out of
7 Last Minute Tips to Reduce Your Tax Bill
The deadline for most taxpayers to file their 2021 returns is April 18th this year. The number of opportunities to slash your tax bill drops
The Retirement Readiness Checklist
We periodically like to put together helpful guides and pieces that are easy to share with friends and family. Welcome to our newest piece! The
The Roth Conversion Sweet Spot
There is a period that acts as something of a Goldilocks zone in in determining when to do Roth conversions: the interval between the point
When to Withdraw from a Roth IRA
Most posts, blogs, and discussion boards we see feature lengthy comments about adding to a Roth IRA. When do you convert? What tax brackets make
Multiple Compression: 7 Reasons Why the Market is Selling Off
January is off to a no good, very bad, terrible start to the year. We’ve seen three consecutive down weeks and some very painful corrections
What it Actually Means to Claim Social Security for Early Retirement
The decision on when to claim social security is complicated enough when retirement comes at the normal retirement age. You’ll need to think about health
Lower Your Tax Bill With Tax-Loss Harvesting
Welcome! In this video we’re going to be breaking down how to lower your tax bill with tax-loss harvesting. Enjoy.
Making the most of company stock in your 401(k)
401(k) plans are a great way to save money for retirement, but you have to manage it well! You are responsible for selecting investments and
Charitable Contributions: How to Make the Most of Donor Advised Funds and Qualified Charitable Distributions
The holiday season celebrates getting through the year, giving thanks, and lighting up the dark winter season. But for many people, it’s also about spreading
How to get the maximum ACA subsidy when retiring before 65
More and more Americans are retiring before reaching age 65 and qualifying for Medicare. This brings up a thorny issue: what can be done for
Markets In Motion Nov,11, 2021
Welcome to Markets in Motion with Carmichael Hill! We took 90 seconds to break down the major market moving headlines of last week so that
Making the Right Move: Relocating in Retirement
November 11, 2021 James Stewart For many retirees, the call of a warmer climate, lower cost of living, and lower taxes is too strong
If you plan to invest in the Proshares Bitcoin ETF (BITO), you better read this:
The ProShares Bitcoin Strategy exchange-traded fund (stock ticker BITO) launched last week to record-breaking acclaim. It hauled in more than $1 billion of assets in
The NIIT-y Gritty of the Net Investment Income Tax
The Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) has been around since 2010, and it applies to investors who have high incomes and healthy investment account balances.
The 9 Best Questions to Ask a Financial Advisor in 2021
Not all financial advisors are created equal, but it can be so hard to tell! Expert advice has always been difficult to quantify and rank.
Markets In Motion Sept, 30, 2021
Welcome to Markets in Motion with Carmichael Hill! We took 90 seconds to break down the major market moving headlines of last week so that
12 Must Know FAQs to Get Ready For Medicare
Navigating the transition from private health insurance to Medicare can feel daunting. Although Medicare is a complicated enough system, getting ready for enrollment is straightforward.
Bridging the Gap to Medicare when Retiring Early
Matt Bacon 9/20/21 Early retirement is a dream for many. But it’s a dream that requires careful planning, particularly when it comes to managing your
Keeping an eye on Natural Gas
James Stewart September 14, 2021 Natural gas is one of the main sources of energy in the US. It is used to
Markets In Motion Sept, 16, 2021
Welcome to Markets in Motion with Carmichael Hill! We took 90 seconds to break down the major market moving headlines of last week so that
How to Navigate the financial impact of long-term care
A successful retirement has as much to do with saving money and investing well as it does with managing risk. And when it comes to
Markets In Motion Sept, 02, 2021
Welcome to Markets in Motion with Carmichael Hill! We took 90 seconds to break down the major market moving headlines of last week so that
Explained: How to Hit the Upgrade Button on Your 401(k)
Your 401(k) savings will be used to create a good portion of your income in retirement, so getting as much money in there as possible
What is Tapering and Why Is It Important?
You may have heard the term “tapering” if you’ve been following the news lately. The Federal Reserve (Fed) has many tools it can use to
Markets In Motion Aug, 19, 2021
Welcome to Markets in Motion with Carmichael Hill! We took 90 seconds to break down the major market moving headlines of last week so that
60 Day IRA Rollover Rules
You probably have several retirement accounts. It’s common. But you may start to think about consolidating some of those accounts as you approach retirement. The
Summer Financial Fitness
July marks the mid-point of the year. With kids out of school and the prospect of real, not-in-the-backyard vacation this year, it can be easy
Get to Know Us
We spend lots of time getting to know our clients. We figured it was only fair to let you know more about us. So, we
Markets in Motion Aug 6, 2021
Welcome to Markets in Motion with Carmichael Hill! We took 90 seconds to break down the major market moving headlines of last week so that
Inherited Roth IRA Rules
Inherited Roth IRA Rules can be complicated. This is especially true if you inherit an account as a non-spouse beneficiary. Understanding how these accounts work,
When It Pays to Max Out Your HSA
A Health Savings Account (HSA) is a unique tool that provides special tax benefits when used for medical expenses. They are packaged as an add-on
The Executive’s Guide to Financial Planning
We see investors of all stripes as financial advisors. Over the decades, we’ve observed that most people invest like the rest of their community. Entrepreneurs,
How to Avoid the IRMAA Medicare Surcharge
You may not be aware, but Medicare is means-tested. Earning above certain thresholds during retirement could see you get hit with a Medicare income-related monthly
Retirement Is About Income … and Taxes
You’ve figured out your budget, your retirement nest egg is substantial, and you’re ready to make the transition to living savings instead of income from
When is the best time to move cash on the sidelines into investments?
There are plenty of reasons to be holding cash on the sidelines. Unallocated bonuses, inheritances, selling homes and businesses, exercising options, and pandemic savings are
The Intentional Approach to Retirement
Matt Bacon June 1, 2021 Retirement preparedness is a tricky subject. The Federal Reserve conducted a brief survey on the subject just before the
This Ransomware Attack Is going to hit you where it hurts…..in the Pocketbook.
Jim Stewart May 12, 2021 Cyber threats are increasing on both the personal and corporate levels. You’re probably familiar with phishing attempts and outlandish
The New Biden Tax Increase (And What to Do About It)
Matt Bacon April 22, 2021 A big announcement came yesterday about regarding the new Biden tax increase. During a scheduled press conference, White House Press
What should you know about Coinbase (COIN)?
Jim Stewart April 15, 2021 Coinbase (COIN) is generating lots of hype. The online exchange where investors buy, sell, and store cryptocurrencies went public this
10 Things All Homebuyers Should Know in a Hot Housing Market
Matt Bacon April 14, 2021 The US is experiencing a hot housing market and the DC area is no exception. Chances are you’ve probably lost
Why interest rates are killing your portfolio
Matt Bacon March 12, 2021 Executive Summary – Bond yields moved more than two standard deviations since January 1st. Equity markets can’t handle that much
3 Ideas to Steal for Navigating the Biden 401k Changes
Matt Bacon March 4, 2021 President Biden made waves during his run for office with a series of progressive legislative changes. One of those is
Where should you roll your 401k?
Matt Bacon March 1, 2021 Where should you roll your 401k? This is one of the most asked questions we field. That, and “who is
Twitter Flirts with a New Business Model
Matt Bacon February 10, 2021 Twitter is flirting with a new business model. Analysts have long lobbied for a subscription model at the
The Story Behind the Wall Street Bets Reddit Thread and an Epic Short Squeeze
Gamestop (GME) is having its best worst week in company history. It started the year at a modest $17.25. This week it set an intraday
2020 In Review
2020 was a strange year. A pandemic, the likes of which have not been seen for a century, claimed jobs, fortunes, and lives. At its
The Definitive Year End Planning Checklist for 2020
December 9th, 2020 Matt Bacon 2020 is finally coming to a close and thank goodness! The year may as
The Best November in Decades – Now What?
James Stewart December 2, 2020 November was the best month in decades for equity markets. The Dow Jones Industrial Average posted its best
Tesla Finally Cracks the S&P 500
Matt Bacon Nov 20, 2020 Tesla marks yet another milestone this week as it joins the S&P 500. The company will officially join the index
Why Equity Markets Just Had Their Best Week in Seven Months
November 9th, 2020 Matt Bacon Equity markets rallied last week in a way we haven’t seen since April. The S&P 500,
How the Biden Tax Plan Would Work
Oct 22, 2020 Matt Bacon Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden is proposing sweeping changes to the tax code. The Biden Tax Plan would work to
Paypal Takes the Plunge on Cryptocurrencies
October 22, 2020 Jim Stewart Paypal gave the crypto market a huge boost today by announcing that it was going to allow customers
12 Tips for Choosing a Financial Advisor
Matt Bacon Oct 15, 2020 It can be difficult to know if you’re on the right path when choosing a financial advisor. A good
October Surprise
Jim Stewart October 7, 2020 The news of President Trump and the First Lady contracting COVID-19 late last week along
EXPLAINED: Why energy stocks are crashing…..again
Jim Stewart September 28, 2020 Energy stocks are having a rough time. Just look at Exxon – the last 30 days have been one
Update on Fiscal Stimulus Round 2
A deal on a second round of fiscal stimulus has been in the works for months, but the House and Senate remain at an impasse.
10 Facts About SPAC That Will Make Your Hair Stand On End
Matt Bacon Sept 25th SPAC is shorthand for Special Purpose Acquisition Company, and if that’s a new term for you keep reading. This is the
Why the TikTok App Ban is Making Waves
Matt Bacon Sep. 23rd, 2020 The Trump administration has railed against Chinese owned social media company TikTok in recent months citing grave national security
The Fed Spoke. Markets Shrugged.
Matt Bacon Sep 17, 2020 The Federal Open Market Committee met yesterday and left interest rates unchanged. We weren’t surprised. General economic conditions are poor
What happened to FANMAG last week?
By Matt Bacon, Sept 14, 2020 Volatility returned to equity markets again last week as money fled big tech, which has led the rally almost
Converting an IRA to a Roth IRA after age 60
Updated June 9, 2022 Most people hit their peak earning years in their 50s and 60s. Consequently, these also tend to be the peak tax
A Meaningless Shakeup in the Dow
By Matt Bacon August 25th, 2020 Note: Carmichael Hill maintains positions in Exxon, Apple, Amgen, Pfizer, and Raytheon A meaningless shakeup in the Dow Jones
More Reasons to Doubt Tesla
August 21st, 2020 We published an article yesterday stating our concerns about the soaring price of Tesla and how we feel its grossly overvalued. We
Why We’re Not Loading Up on Tesla
By Matt Bacon Aug 19, 2020 Note: Carmichael Hill maintains a position in Tesla Telsa is arguably the hottest stock of the year having climbed
Lease vs. Buy a Car in Retirement
By Matt Bacon [lwptoc float=”none” titleFontSize=”120%” colorScheme=”light” backgroundColor=”#ffffff”] As advisors, we field questions from clients on just about every topic you can imagine. Bitcoin, online
What’s behind the Apple and Tesla Stock Splits?
By Matt Bacon – August 12th, 2020 On July 30th, Apple (AAPL) announced a four for one stock split effective 8/31/20. Tesla (TSLA) followed suit
Silver Investing During a Rally
Investors in silver and gold made a nice profit this month as the two metals continued their incredible rally. Gold is up nearly 35% year
The Rise of Kodak and What Comes Next
By Matt Bacon July 31st, 2020 Note: Carmichael Hill does not maintain a position in Eastman Kodak (KODK) On Tuesday this week, the Federal Government
Market Update 04/09/20
Matt Bacon The S&P 500 is up nearly 10% this week and has regained about 50% of its decline in just eleven trading days. This
Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act
March 27, 2020 Jeff Grodsky, Matt Bacon, Jim Stewart On Wednesday, the Senate unanimously passed a $2 trillion economic rescue plan that will provide relief
Same Crisis, New Responses
March 24, 2020 Matt Bacon and Jim Stewart The new reality brought by the Coronavirus continues to rattle markets as the Dow and S&P continue
In a surprise move the Fed slashes interest rates to 0% and markets plunge
By James Stewart and Matt Bacon March 16, 2020 Fears abound as volatility continues to roil the markets, the likes of which haven’t been seen
Oil hits the “Bargain Bin” amidst another day of extreme volatility
March 10, 2020 By Matt Bacon Yesterday was a record day in the markets as oil prices fell nearly 30% amidst another day of extreme
Why the Coronavirus Won’t Ruin Your Retirement
Feb 27, 2020 by Matt Bacon Markets are on a downward trajectory. At the time of this writing the S&P 500 has closed down for
Congress Passes the SECURE Act by Matt Bacon
December 26, 2019 New legislation was recently passed which contains a laundry list of measures designed to expand and modernize the retirement plan system in
Tariffs and Trade
April 16, 2018 What is a Tariff? Quite simply a tariff is a tax on imports or exports. Tariffs are used by sovereign countries to
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017
January 17th, 2018 On December 22nd, 2017, President Trump signed into law the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA). We have received many
Positioning your portfolio in a rising interest rate environment
The fixed income markets experienced a significant increase in interest rates in the fourth quarter of 2016. On October 1st, the ten-year U.S. Treasury Note
20 Ways to Minimize Your Taxes
October 12, 2017 We believe tax planning should be proactive and ongoing. A quick review before the New Year can help minimize taxes. Of course
Equifax Breach
September 21, 2017 Over the past week, we have received numerous inquiries from clients regarding the Equifax security breach. While the true scope of the
What are Cryptocurrencies?
July 17, 2017 Jeff Grodsky, CFP® Our society has been moving towards an electronic cashless payment system for many years. Most people don’t
The Rising Costs of Health Care
With the new administration’s failed initiative to repeal the Affordable Care Act, we have seen a renewed focus on the rising costs of health care.
Cyber Security
October 14, 2016 We live in a world that is more connected than ever before and the internet touches almost all aspects of everyone’s daily
Recent Posts
- How much you can spend in retirement and the savings it takes to get there July 29, 2022
- The Real Value in Giving Inheritance Before Death July 13, 2022
- Divorce and Social Security: It’s Complicated July 6, 2022
- How the Fiduciary, Fee-Only Model Works June 28, 2022
- Optimizing Saving and Investing During Retirement June 22, 2022
- What slows down when interest rates speed up June 16, 2022
- The Best Way to Pay Off a Mortgage in Retirement June 9, 2022
- Q&A: What’s the difference between an ESOP and an ESPP? May 20, 2022
- What are I Bonds? May 13, 2022
- How the Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) Impacts Pension Payments May 10, 2022
- Using a Trust as a Beneficiary of an IRA April 8, 2022
- The 401k Age 55 Rule for Early Retirement April 4, 2022
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