Latest posts
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Reduce Your Taxes by Alternating Your IRA Distributions
Most retirees follow a simple playbook when it comes to taking withdrawals from their IRAs: take out the same amount each year. It feels predictable and safe. But what if there were a smarter way—one that doesn’t reduce your income, but reduces your taxes? Under the right circumstances, alternating between higher and lower annual IRA…
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A Detailed ROI Analysis for a 10kW Solar System
Introduction Investing in solar power is a major financial decision that requires careful evaluation of costs, savings, and return on investment. A 10kW solar system is a reasonable size system for many homeowners seeking energy independence and long-term savings. I live in a fairly energy efficient home. This article explores the financial implications of installing…
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An Alternative to Make Risk Management Easy
The traditional approach to risk management for regular investors is to use an equity/bond mix, such as the 60/40 portfolio—60% equities and 40% bonds. This has long been the go-to strategy for investors seeking a balance between growth and risk mitigation. The “age in bonds” rule—allocating a percentage of your portfolio to bonds equal to…
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Surprise: Your Marginal Tax Rate Could Skyrocket
When preparing your taxes, it’s natural to look at your income and compare it to the federal tax brackets to estimate the marginal tax rate. For instance, if you’re in the 22% federal tax bracket, you might assume that each additional dollar you earn is taxed at 22%. But the reality can be much more…