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Wealth and Wisdom: Week of June 17, 2024

I hope you can take a few minutes sometime this week to explore our new website, HelpMeRetirePod.com, created specifically for people who want to retire successfully – and for retirees who want to stay successfully retired.


This site will be the new home of this weekly e-letter, Wealth and Wisdom, complete with back issues. You’ll also be able to listen to the new Help Me Retire Podcast with new episodes every couple of weeks, along with timely blog posts and other helpful resources to help you make important decisions about your own retirement goals.


You can still find information on Brown Family Wealth Advisors on our home page, BrownFWA.com, including bios of our team members, how we work with clients, and what we believe. This site is also the portal for our clients to securely access their account information and communicate directly with us.


If you can only read one article from Wealth and Wisdom this week, make it the second item below. It will give you some perspective about the today’s market environment – and two key questions to ask yourself about how you are currently investing.



Mortgage lenders can charge more than 200 different fees when you buy a home – and regulators want to know why those costs are spiking now.  (Reading time: 5 minutes)

 

Stocks are near all-time highs, volatility is low, and we’re finally earning decent returns on safe assets. What could go wrong?  (Reading time: 3 minutes)

 

The next presidential election is being billed as a referendum on democracy – but it may not impact your investments as much as you’d think.  (Reading time: 3 minutes)

 

A college education can help you get a better job. But how much you borrow to get that degree might mean you can never retire from it.  (Reading time: 5 minutes)

 

Here’s a graphic illustration of how the federal government spends each dollar of income taxes you pay. This might surprise you.  (Reading time: 2 minutes)

 

I’ve never seen this much material in one place on how we got into the mess we’re in – and how tough it’s going to be to fix it.  (Reading time: more than one sitting)

 

These funding vehicles offer tax benefits while allowing you to decide where your donations ultimately go.  (Reading time: 3 minutes)

 

Once you reach age 50, generous discounts are yours for the taking – on hotels, car rentals, cruises, air travel, rail travel, admissions, and more.  (Reading time: 5 minutes)

 

The average wireless phone plan costs $157 per month – but these 5 tips could help you pay much less.  (Reading time: 5 minutes)

 

Some ideas from our firm on getting more space in your life.  (Reading time: 4 minutes)


 

Words to the Wise


“To preserve our independence, we must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt. We must make our election between economy and liberty, or profusion of servitude.”

 

– Thomas Jefferson


 

Raymond James and its advisors do not offer tax or legal advice. You should discuss any tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional.


Links are being provided for informational purposes only.  Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse, authorize or sponsor any of the listed websites or their respective sponsors.  Raymond James is not responsible for the content of any website or the collection or use of information regarding any website’s users and/or members.


The foregoing information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that it is accurate or complete, it is not a statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision, and it does not constitute a recommendation. Any opinions are those of Brown Family Wealth Advisors and not necessarily those of Raymond James. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy selected.  Expressions of opinion are as of this date and are subject to change without notice. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Prior to making an investment decision, please consult with your financial advisor about your individual situation.


The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index of 500 widely held stocks that is generally considered representative of the U.S. stock market.


Investors should consider, before investing, whether the investor’s or the designated beneficiary’s home state offers any tax or other benefits that are only available for investment in such state’s 529 savings plan. Such benefits include financial aid, scholarship funds, and protection from creditors. There is also a risk that these plans may lose money or not perform well enough to cover education costs as anticipated. Most states offer their own 529 programs, which may provide advantages and benefits exclusively for their residents. The tax implications can vary significantly from state to state.


Unless certain criteria are met, Roth IRA owners must be 59 ½ or older and have held the IRA for five years before tax-free withdrawals are permitted. Additionally, each converted amount may be subject to its own five-year holding period. Converting a traditional IRA into a Roth IRA has tax implications. Investors should consult a tax advisor before deciding to do a conversion.

 

Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services are offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. Brown Family Wealth Advisors is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services.


These policies have exclusions and/or limitations. Guarantees are based on claims paying ability of the issuing company. Long Term Care Insurance or Asset Based Long Term Care Insurance Products may not be suitable for all investors. Surrender charges may apply for early withdrawals and, if made prior to age 59 ½ may be subject to a 10% federal tax penalty in addition to any gains being taxed as ordinary income. The cost and availability of Long Term Care insurance depend on factors such as age, health, and the type and amount of insurance purchased. Please consult with a licensed financial professional when considering your insurance options.

 

Dividends are not guaranteed and must be authorized by the company’s board of directors.


Roth 401(k) plans are long-term retirement savings vehicles. Contributions to a Roth 401(k) are never tax deductible, but if certain conditions are met, distributions will be completely income tax free. Unlike Roth IRAs, Roth 401(k) participants are subject to required minimum distributions at age 72 (70 ½ if you reached 70 ½ before January 1, 2020).



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