Blog by Mike Halper, CFP®, MPAS®, SE-AWMA®, CDAA, CBDA

Signs You Need A Financial Planner

08/31/2020 09:00 AM By Mike Halper, CFP®, MPAS®, SE-AWMA®, CDAA, CBDA - Comment(s)

Solid and respectable planners let you know if they can’t help you and refer you to a professional who can. If you have no idea if you’re on track for retirement and don’t know how to find out, a financial planner could help gauge your progress and build a plan that will help you stay on track.

Is Now A Good Time to Refinance Your Mortgage?

08/16/2020 03:34 AM By Mike Halper, CFP®, MPAS®, SE-AWMA®, CDAA, CBDA - Comment(s)

You may have noticed mortgage rates have dropped and are probably wondering if you should refinance your mortgage. There are many advantages to refinancing, but since everyone’s situation is different, you should evaluate whether it’s the right thing for you to do.

The Growing Risk of Credit Fraud and What You Can Do To Protect Yourself

08/03/2020 09:00 AM By Mike Halper, CFP®, MPAS®, SE-AWMA®, CDAA, CBDA - Comment(s)

The fraud alerts through the credit reporting agencies really do work. They saved my credit, potentially saved me financially, and certainly saved me from some major headaches. So you may be wondering, what exactly is a fraud alert and how to you set one up?

What Issues Should I Consider When Having (Or Adopting) A Child?

07/27/2020 08:02 AM By Mike Halper, CFP®, MPAS®, SE-AWMA®, CDAA, CBDA - Comment(s)

Having or adopting a child is a life-changing experience. While there’s amazing joy in watching your child take his or her first step or speak his or her first words, there can also be a lot of stress when it comes to managing your family’s finances.

HSAs and Tax-Free Distributions

07/20/2020 11:10 AM By Mike Halper, CFP®, MPAS®, SE-AWMA®, CDAA, CBDA - Comment(s)

When used for qualified medical expenses, owners of HSAs are able to take advantage of a triple tax free benefit: pre-tax contributions, tax-deferred growth, and tax-free withdrawals for qualified medical expenses.

Prioritizing Savings and Investments When You Have Excess Income

07/06/2020 11:08 AM By Mike Halper, CFP®, MPAS®, SE-AWMA®, CDAA, CBDA - Comment(s)

If you are in a situation where you spend less money than you bring in every month, you may be wondering what is the best thing to do with the excess cash. With numerous account types and even more investment options, how do you find the most optimal way to invest and save?

What Should You Do If You Lose Your Job?

06/28/2020 11:03 AM By Mike Halper, CFP®, MPAS®, SE-AWMA®, CDAA, CBDA - Comment(s)

There will be high unemployment for the foreseeable future. Companies have initiated hiring freezes and layoffs. Based on the current economy and outlook, there’s a high probability that you, a family member, or a friend have experienced a recent loss of employment or will in the near future.