Aveo Capital: Beermann-Rorick

How many ways can you pay for college? Loans, grants, savings and investments, to name a few.

Saving for College This calculator can help you estimate how much you should be saving for college.

The savings rate is the government’s estimate of how much U.S. households are saving.

U.S. Personal Savings Rate What can be learned from the savings rate?

Markets reacted positively last week to cooler inflation and the idea of potential rate cuts next year, adding to the gains of the market’s year-end rally. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.92%, while the Standard &...

Weekly Market Insights: Stocks Rally on Fed, Inflation News

Do you know how much you’ll spend during your retirement? The answer may be more complicated than you’d expect. Learn more here.

How Retirement Spending Changes With Time It can be difficult for clients to imagine how much they’ll spend in retirement. This short, insightful article is useful.

I was recently asked, “What's the difference between shareholder yield and dividend yield?” 🤔

It occurred to me that most people likely don’t know the answer, so I figured I’d share a quick overview.

Dividend yield focuses solely on dividends paid to shareholders. It's calculated by dividing the annual dividends per share by the stock price.

Shareholder yield is more comprehensive. It includes dividends plus share repurchases and debt reduction. Companies can provide value to shareholders through dividends, buying back stock, and paying down debt.

Therefore, in some instances, shareholder yield might give you a more complete picture because it reflects more about what a company is doing for its shareholders.

So, the next time you evaluate a stock, think about looking at shareholder yield as well as dividend yield.

Dividends, stock buybacks, and debt payment plans can be stopped or decreased at any time. If a company experiences financial difficulties, its board of directors and management team may elect to reduce or eliminate any of the three for a period of time and then update shareholders on the decision.

Mortgage lenders consider many personal factors when deciding whether you can afford a home.

How Much Home Can I Afford? With a few simple inputs you can estimate how much of a mortgage you may be able to obtain.

Did you know that once your child turns 18, you can no longer make their medical appointments or speak with their doctor👩‍⚕️, even if they are on your insurance plan? You also might not know that you’ll lose your ability to access their school grades or assist them with money management.

If you want to stay medically, academically, and financially involved after their milestone birthday, here’s what you need to know:

👩‍⚕️ Healthcare:
A HIPAA authorization lets you access medical records and set appointments.
A healthcare power of attorney/healthcare proxy enables you to make emergency medical decisions.

🎓Academics:
A Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) authorization allows you to access your child’s GPA, credits, scholarship status, tuition info, and disciplinary records.

💳 Finances:
Financial Power of Attorney lets you help organize finances, pay student loan bills, cover car payments, check balances, and pay taxes.

Have you had any experience with these? Please share below! 👇

Compound interest can dramatically impact the future growth of your assets. Learn more.

How Compound Interest Works Use this calculator to better see the potential impact of compound interest on an asset.

Is your household's inflation rate higher than the national average?

Inflation & Retirement Estimate how much income may be needed at retirement to maintain your standard of living.

The clock is ticking. 🕰️

Due to the sunset of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the federal gift and estate tax exemption is currently scheduled to drop from $12.9 million for individuals ($25.8 for married couples) to around $5.5 million (adjusted for inflation) in 2026.

Many who had assumed that they might not be subject to estate taxes now need to consider how this could impact them.

While 2026 may seem far away, now is the time to start preparing. There may be a strategy that can help you transfer wealth to your heirs while managing potential estate taxes.

These details are complex, so it’s best to seek guidance from financial and legal experts who can better assess your individual situation. With the appropriate strategy, you may be able to protect your legacy for the people and causes you care about.

The fears that dragged on the stock market since August evaporated in November as fresh inflation data reaffirmed continuing progress in the fight against rising prices.

Monthly Market Insights | December 2023 The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 8.77 percent, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index advanced 8.92 percent. The Nasdaq Composite, which has led all year, picked up 10.70 percent.1

Medicare and Medicaid are two terms that seem interchangeable, but aren’t. Learn more here:

Medicare vs. Medicaid The terms Medicare and Medicaid sound similar but are two very different things. Learn the differences in this informative article.

2023 was a rollercoaster🎢 giving us all a lot of highs and lows. Although it's hard to boil down an entire year into a top ten list, here's my attempt at the top ten events we'll remember from 2023:

1️⃣ Inflation hit 40-year highs, leading to aggressive Fed hikes. ☂️
2️⃣ Stocks rallied then pulled back on recession fears.
3️⃣ Major bank failures caused alarm but were contained. 💼
4️⃣ Hollywood strikes impacted studios and streaming. 🎥
5️⃣ UAW strikes hit automakers' EV transitions. 🚗
6️⃣ Major Supreme Court rulings. ⚖️
7️⃣ AI went mainstream with ChatGPT mania. 🤖
8️⃣ Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues.
9️⃣ Barbie became the year's highest-grossing movie. 🎀
🔟 Taylor Swift's tour broke ticket sales records. 🎤

So, what is ahead in 2024?

➡ Higher rates longer than expected?
➡ All eyes on the 2024 election
➡ Will IPO and M&A rebound?

Most importantly, we wish you and your families health and happiness in the coming year!



YCharts.com, 2023. The S&P 500 Composite Index is an unmanaged index that is considered representative of the overall U.S. stock market. Index performance is not indicative of the past performance of a particular investment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Individuals cannot invest directly in an index. The return and principal value of stock prices will fluctuate as market conditions change. And shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost.

A Friday rally turned an otherwise mixed week for stocks into a solid performance. The Dow Jones Industrial Average picked up 2.42%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 gained 0.77%. The Nasdaq Composite index rose 0.38% for the...

Weekly Market Insights: Stocks Rise as Bond Yields Fall

Quiz - What Portion of Federal Revenue Comes from Individual Income Taxes?

Which of the following is false?

(A) Individual income taxes provide 35% of the federal revenue for the year.
(B) Corporate income taxes provide 8% of the federal revenue for the year.
(C) Social Security and Medicare taxes provide 37% of the federal revenue for the year.
(D) The top 50% of all taxpayers paid 98% of all federal individual income taxes, while the bottom 50% paid the remaining 2%.

The answer: (A) Individual income taxes are expected to provide 49% of federal revenue for 2023, more than any other category and more than most would guess.

Another stat that may be of interest shows that the top 10% of earners—those who earn more than $150,000 annually—contribute 74% of all tax revenue.

With the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017 set to expire at the end of 2025, some of the temporary measures included within it are set to revert to previous levels. This may be an excellent time to evaluate what these changes could mean for you and to work with a tax and financial professional who can speak to the anticipated changes.

This post is for informational purposes only and is not a replacement for case-specific advice. Consult your tax professional if you have questions about the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Committed to increasing your financial literacy? Don't be afraid to ask questions.

The Financial Literacy Crisis Many Americans are operating their personal finances with only the barest minimum of knowledge.

Investor enthusiasm for stocks remained strong last week, buoyed by declining bond yields in a holiday-abbreviated trading week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average picked up 1.27%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 gained 1.00%. The...

Weekly Market Insights: Short Week Strong for Stocks

Tax freedom day: the day you begin earning money for yourself.

Tax Freedom Day Assess how many days you'll work to pay your federal tax liability.

Is Cyber Monday worth it?

Monday, November 27, is “Cyber Monday,” and the National Retail Federation reminds us that it's one of the biggest shopping days of the year!

I asked my team, and here are their suggestions for the types of deals to look for:

Electronics: TVs, laptops, smartphones, tablets, and other electronics

Clothes: Clothing retailers offer big sales on items from sweaters and coats to dresses and shoes

Home goods: Appliances, furniture, and bedding

The team’s tips for success:

◾ Start shopping early: The best deals will go quickly.
◾ Compare prices: Don't just buy the first thing you see. Compare prices from different retailers to make sure you're getting the best deal.
◾ Beware of scams: There are always scams circulating around Cyber Monday. Be sure to shop only from reputable retailers.

What are you shopping for on Cyber Monday?

I started my day at my favorite coffee shop and then headed to our amazing local gift shop to get a few holiday presents. Tonight, I’ll enjoy takeout from the best pizza place I know.

My team reminded me that today is , and it dawned on me that we sometimes take our local small businesses for granted.

Competing with big chains is no easy feat, and none of us want to imagine our communities without small businesses. So, I will be more intentional about supporting them today and every day.

What small businesses are you supporting this weekend? Tag and give them some props in the comments!

Your financial future is calling. Develop a strategy for your investments today.

The Cost of Procrastination Don't let procrastination keep you from pursuing your financial dreams and goals.

This Thanksgiving, we’re thankful for your trust in us and that you let us be a part of your family’s financial story.

Our mission is to provide you and your family with tools and guidance that can help you pursue your goals. We couldn’t ask for more meaningful work.

Here’s to a day filled with warmth, joy, and prosperity. Enjoy the turkey, the pie, and the time with those you love!

For those who are traveling, we wish you a safe and stress-free trip!

Curious, will you be home? A drive away? Or are you flying somewhere this Thanksgiving?

Are you on the fence about working with a financial professional? This video will give you some food for thought. Watch here:

Working With A Financial Professional A financial professional is an invaluable resource to help you untangle the complexities of whatever life throws at you.

Caring for someone with dementia can be challenging.

We’ve come across many products that can really make a difference in the lives of patients and their caregivers. Here’s a short list of products that we’ve heard about over the years. Keep in mind that any products or companies mentioned are for illustrative purposes only. They should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of the securities.

📺 A big button, easy-to-use TV remote
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09KNP38R6/ref=sspa_dk_detail_1?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B09KNP38R6&pd_rd_w=bvxWv&content-id=amzn1.sym.386c274b-4bfe-4421-9052-a1a56db557ab&pf_rd_p=386c274b-4bfe-4421-9052-a1a56db557ab&pf_rd_r=48RKXCQAQE0S6W41C1D3&pd_rd_wg=tX2de&pd_rd_r=a00ef6a7-3608-490c-a9d4-ae7e259ba48d&s=electronics&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWxfdGhlbWF0aWM

🎶 A simple e-reader and music player
https://www.amazon.com/One-Touch-Audiobooks-Quality-Sound-Nostalgic-Technical/dp/B01B9THLUW/ref=asc_df_B01B9THLUW/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312028568547&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=859087050359201433&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031024&hvtargid=pla-570163859445&th=1

🎤 Voice assistants that allow you to provide care to and oversee loved ones remotely
https://www.pocket-lint.com/apps/news/amazon/154595-what-is-alexa-care-hub-and-how-to-set-it-up-for-older-relatives/

Please share any other products you’ve heard of or used that have helped!

Self-employed? Learn more about your retirement plan options.

Self-Employed Retirement Plans Estimate the maximum contribution amount for a Self-Employed 401(k), SIMPLE IRA, or SEP.

📱🦃 Accidental text leads to a heartwarming Thanksgiving tradition!

In 2016, Wanda Dench accidentally invited Jamal Hinton to Thanksgiving dinner, thinking she was texting her grandson.
Despite the mix-up, Jamal accepted the invitation and has been attending Wanda's Thanksgiving dinner every year since.
This unexpected friendship has touched hearts worldwide, reminding us of the power of connection and kindness.
This Thanksgiving, let's celebrate the beautiful relationships in our lives, even the ones that start in the most unexpected ways.

'Thanksgiving grandma' shared her table with a stranger. Now she's doing it again for two others An Arizona woman who shared her Thanksgiving table seven years ago with a stranger she accidentally texted will be opening up her home again this year to two new strangers.

Over age 50? You may be able to catch-up on retirement.

Catch-Up Contributions Workers 50+ may make contributions to their qualified retirement plans above the limits imposed on younger workers.

Financial Tip Friday: If you are over 70½, you may want to start thinking about making charitable donations from your traditional IRA and have them count toward your required minimum distribution (RMD). This is called a qualified charitable distribution (QCD).

Here’s how it works: A QCD is a direct asset transfer from a traditional IRA to a charity or non-profit organization of your choice. The organization must be tax-exempt under IRS guidelines. Remember, the original owner of a Roth IRA doesn’t have to take RMDs.

◾ The donation counts toward your RMD for the year, so you can fulfill your RMD while also giving to charity.
◾ The IRS says you must be at least 70½ to make a QCD.
◾ The distribution may not be included in your gross income. A tax professional can provide more guidance.

There are details and certain restrictions that are important to understand. For example, the IRS puts a $100,000 limit on the total distribution.

There are many strategies for incorporating charitable donations into your personal finances. Consider asking for help from a financial professional who has insights into charitable strategies. With a QCD, for example, it’s critical to allow enough time for the asset transfer to occur.

At age 73, you must start RMDs from a traditional IRA in most circumstances. Withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income and, if taken before age 59½, may be subject to a 10% federal income tax penalty.

FMG created this content to provide insights into a topic and is not affiliated with a broker-dealer or investment advisory firm.

College, kids and costs.

Getting a Head Start on College Savings A few strategies that may help you prepare for the cost of higher education.

What would happen if you gave low-income public school kindergarteners bank accounts with $50 earmarked for college?

I just read in the Wall Street Journal about how a kindergarten-to-college savings program in San Francisco did just this. Public and private donations funded student bank accounts with $50 balances and encouraged students to save money through various incentives, such as art competitions and scholarship opportunities.

The city matched deposits, which had to be used for college or higher-education-related expenses.

They found that early exposure to saving and financial literacy can impact children’s (and their families’) financial habits.

With all the doom and gloom we see, I thought this was worth a share. I hope other cities and states adopt similar programs to help more children learn about saving money and financial literacy.

What do you think of the idea?