Abacus Financial Planning

12/11/2023

https://abacusfinancialplanning.com/2023/12/is-there-really-a-santa-claus-rally/

Because I do not have a crystal ball (my frequent refrain), I hold back on all manner of attempts to beat the market, and that includes trying to predict the effect of the so-called Santa Claus rally in the final week of the market year. But as one client tells me, “It’s just fun to watch for it...

11/29/2023

https://abacusfinancialplanning.com/2023/11/financial-transitions-across-the-lifespan/

We work with clients across life stages and transitions, helping to identify resources and build readiness for new challenges.

08/23/2023

A good problem: what to do with cash?
One reason clients seek out a financial planner is to figure out what to do with cash. The amounts can be very different: $10,000, $50,000, $400,000, $800,000 and into the millions. Regardless of the number, we take the same approach by asking three basic questions.

One reason clients seek out a financial planner is to figure out what to do with cash. Regardless of the amount of money, we take the same approach by asking three basic questions.

03/27/2023

We often hear from clients that they want to simplify their investments and accounts. Simplify could mean less complexity or easier management or just fewer tasks.

Read more:

We often hear from clients that they want to simplify their investments and accounts. Simplify could mean less complexity or easier management or just fewer tasks.

02/10/2023

What started as a 6-day round trip flight to one city unexpectedly turned into a 14-day multi-city trip.

What started as a 6-day round trip flight to one city unexpectedly turned into a 14-day multi-city trip.

12/05/2022

A strategic approach to taxes is to realize income with the long view in mind. This often means (voluntarily!) paying more in taxes now to reduce the expected tax bill a decade or more in the future.
Read more:

A tax strategy is to realize income with the long view in mind.

10/28/2022

It’s that time of year again – open enrollment for Medicare and insurance coverage through employers. Here are four things to consider during open enrollment.
Read more:

It’s that time of year again – open enrollment for Medicare and insurance coverage through employers. Here are four things to consider during open enrollment.

09/27/2022

If someone wants to minimize taxes, is OK with uncertainty, and embraces complexity, this is a strategy to consider: exercise options up to a level that does not trigger Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) and repeat annually.
Read more: https://abacusfinancialplanning.com/2022/09/a-stock-option-strategy-if-you-embrace-complexity-and-have-time/

09/01/2022

One way to think about uncertainty in retirement is with Monte Carlo analysis, which models different possible investment returns. It helps us compare different retirement scenarios and identify options that are more (or less) likely to make your money last.
Read more:

One way to think about uncertainty in retirement is with Monte Carlo analysis, which models different possible investment returns. It helps us compare different retirement scenarios and identify options that are more (or less) likely to make your money last.

07/13/2022

A tale of two stock options
When tech workers first get stock options, they may be excited, having heard stories of people making millions with stock options. They may also feel nervous because they’ve heard stories of big tax bills.
Read more:

When tech workers first get stock options, they may be excited, having heard stories of people making millions with stock options. They may also feel nervous because they've heard stories of big tax bills.

05/23/2022

Our equity comp framework uses your priorities to design a strategy for your company stock. When we start from a point of considering each person’s priorities (instead of just their tax return), we can see how two employees with the same stock awards at the same company can make completely different decisions that are the right choice for them.
Read more:

Our equity comp framework uses your priorities to design a strategy for your company stock. When we start from a point of considering each person’s priorities (instead of just their tax return), we can see how two employees with the same stock awards at the same company can make completely differe...