Recent Financial Articles
Creating a will is one of the most thoughtful things you can do for your loved ones. Thus it's surprising to learn that, according to a survey from Caring.com, 6 out of 10 American adults don't have one. Though it's never fun thinking about the time when we'll...
Benjamin Franklin said there were only two things certain in life: death and taxes. On the subject of taxes, while some of you are tempted not to read any further, those that are still with me could discover the path to a lower property tax bill. Below is a...
Many couples don't agree on when, where or how they're going to spend their golden years. In 2018, Fidelity Investments asked couples how much they think they will need to save for retirement to maintain their current lifestyle. Believe it or not, 49 percent said they...
It's payday—finally! Now, it's time to get ahead. But after you pay all your bills, it's sometimes an impossible game of catch-up to save money and still be a functioning adult; one who treats herself to a happy hour cocktail every so often. While saving money may...
You're driving on the highway and you notice your vehicle is starting to smoke. After being towed to your mechanic, you learn you're having major engine issues—and checking your bank balance is depressing. On top of all that, you just found out you owe the IRS. What...
How to find a forever home that's the perfect fit for your needs. Retirement is a time of change. More free time, different hobbies and, for some, a new home. But whether "new" means a smaller or larger abode depends on the needs and wants of each retiree. While there...
Merrill Lynch Wealth Management partnered with Age Wave to conduct the study Women and Financial Wellness: Beyond the Bottom Line, taking an in-depth look at the long-term financial security of women. West Michigan Woman sat down with Renee C. Tabben, Director,...
Philanthropic giving in the United States is a massive sector of the economy, topping $400 billion, and countless community and national organizations are benefitting from a surge in public interest. Experts at the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand...
When our friends at the Grand Rapids Community Foundation brought to our attention the new tax law and how it relates to charitable giving—for both the individual and the organizations those individual's contributions benefit—it got us thinking: How do these changes...
Taxes. Even the word in and of itself induces a heavy sigh from most. Laura Steenwyk, CPA, CGMA, MST, with Rehmann, notes some people enjoy a good challenge; for those people, preparing a tax return can be as satisfying as completing a 5,000-piece puzzle. Steenwyk may...