Articles & Videos
The 1031 Exchange: A Powerful Tool for Deferring Taxes
The 1031 Exchange: A Powerful Tool for Deferring Taxes Sec. 1031 exchange activity has picked up considerably in recent years, as real estate sellers facing significant capital gains look for opportunities to soften the tax blow. By exchanging real property for other real property of “like kind,” owners can defer capital gains taxes until the…
Self-Directed IRAs: Handle With Care
Self-Directed IRAs: Handle With Care IRAs – both traditional and Roth – are powerful tools for financial, retirement, and estate planning. But what if you’re not satisfied with your IRA’s performance? One way to “turbocharge” its benefits is to use a “self-directed” IRA, which is permitted to hold alternative investments that offer higher potential returns.…
Obtaining Financing
Obtaining Financing Whether you are a small or medium size business, the process of obtaining a loan is similar. Commercial lenders are interested in: The purpose of the loan. With a seasonal loan, for example, the borrower is able to pay the loan back when inventories and receivables decline after a seasonal surge in business,…
The Keys to Helping New Leaders Find Their Niche
The Keys to Helping New Leaders Find Their Niche The process to become a good leader is exactly that. A process. It doesn’t usually happen overnight. Good leaders have to learn and develop their skills and abilities and then hone them as they practice them. That takes time and experience. Sometimes there are bumps in…
What Happens to the AMT in 2018
What Happens to the AMT in 2018? As the dust is now settled on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, one glaring tax has remained standing, with relatively few changes. The alternative minimum tax or AMT. The first “minimum” tax started with the passing of the Tax Reform Act of 1969. With it was announced…
Is Cryptocurrency Really Secure?
Is Cryptocurrency Really Secure? If you’ve been following the cryptocurrency market then no doubt you’re aware of the volatility of this digital currency. You’ve already seen the massive swings that Bitcoin, Ripple and others have taken over the past several months. Although the big jumps and crashes have made most of the cryptocurrency headlines. There…
How Will New Tax Reform Affect Divorce in the Coming Year?
How Will New Tax Reform Affect Divorce in the Coming Year? No one plans on getting divorced when they decide to tie the knot. Love will conquer all, right? Unfortunately, that’s not how things work and about half of all marriages still end in divorce. Divorce is almost never pleasant and any couple that decides…
Tax Reform Brings New Changes to Section 1202
Tax Reform Brings New Changes to Section 1202 Tax reform is here, love it or hate it. So, with the New Year here that means it’s time to start working under different tax law. To be clear, the 2017 tax year, for which you will file a return this year, is not affected by the…
The Best Cruises for Non-Cruisers
The Best Cruises for Non-Cruisers Have you been on a good cruise lately? For some travelers, nothing beats a cruise. You get to relax on a floating resort with access to unlimited food, drinks and recreation without a care in the world. For some this is the definition of heaven. However, cruises aren’t exactly for…
What Does Bitcoin’s Future Hold in 2018?
What Does Bitcoin’s Future Hold in 2018? Have you been caught up in the Bitcoin craze? It’s not the only cryptocurrency performing well but it does get the most notoriety. Cryptocurrency has been taking the investment market by storm since the beginning of 2017 and in December several of digital coins saw tremendous gains, with…
Top Places to Live When You Retire
Top Places to Live When You Retire Is retirement in your near future? What does your perfect retirement look like? Will you be spending the remainder of your days on a sunny beach somewhere? Want to spend your time with family? Ready to travel the world, or maybe take up some new hobbies? Whatever your…
Fastest Growing Tech Startups
Fastest Growing Tech Startups In this age of technology, tech startups are a dime a dozen. Of course, most startups never really get past the startup stage. There are others that do go on to become successful businesses, but only a few make it really big. With technology being such a popular and fast-growing industry…
Hottest Inventions of 2017
Hottest Inventions of 2017 Wow, believe it or not 2017 is almost over. How can that be possible? Where does the time go? We’re now less than two months away from 2018. That means a new batch of innovative gadgets will soon be making their debut at trade shows and retailers all over the country.…
Add These Historical U.S. Sites to Your Bucket List
Add These Historical U.S. Sites to Your Bucket List Are you a history buff? There are so many places in the country to see if you want to experience some of the things that helped make this country what it is today. Of course, there are many well known sites that would make any history…
How to Build Emotional Intelligence
How to Build Emotional Intelligence IQ vs. EQ and how that affects you Throughout childhood teachers are quick to pick out students who are “high performers” and have a high IQ. With society giving such a larger emphasis on IQ, it is inferred that only those who have a high IQ will be successful financially…
Leadership Through Crucial Conversations
Leadership Through Crucial Conversations Think of a time where you had a difficult conversation with someone, the kind where emotions are strong, and the stakes are high. It could be on a variety of topics: negotiating a raise at work, having to fire an employee, or even how to tell your spouse that you don’t…
The Top Benefits of Floating Therapy
The Top Benefits of Floating Therapy Have you ever felt so good that you “feel like you’re walking on air?” Of course, that’s just an expression, but what if you could get that kind of feeling in a real-world experience? Life is stressful and people are always looking for new ways to catch a breather,…
Why Is Google Getting Serious About Hardware?
Why Is Google Getting Serious About Hardware? Everyone knows Google is the leading search engine, but its ventures into hardware have so far been a mixed bag of results. The company made its intentions clear back when the smartphone era was in its infancy, declaring it would not get into the business of making hardware.…
The Most Valuable Coins in the U.S.
The Most Valuable Coins in the U.S. Are you a coin collector? Maybe you’re looking for a new hobby and valuable coins sounds like it could be right up your alley. Some collectors do it simply for a hobby, while others collect with a goal to make money. Whatever the reason, any coin collector can…
Best Amusement Parks to Visit This Fall
Best Amusement Parks to Visit This Fall Summer is over and vacation season has come to an end, but that doesn’t mean you won’t have any future opportunities for a getaway this fall. There are some great places you can visit if you’re looking for a little break from the ordinary this fall, including numerous…