Let's explore how you can maximize the benefits of your HSA to effectively manage healthcare costs during your Medicare journey, including using HSA funds to pay for certain Medicare premiums, coinsurance, deductibles, and out-of-pocket drug costs.
The negative effect of holding too much cash (or bonds) for even a short time can be profound. Missing a period of strong returns can drastically impact overall performance, as we show within.
Spring is an ideal time to clean up clutter. To assist you, Open Window is offering free document destruction from April 15th to 26th. Drop your documents by any time, or schedule a 'Secure Recycling' timeslot at www.openwindowFS.com/connection.
Although yields on cash pay more than ever, don't assume your cash savings automatically receive a higher rate. Within, we help you weigh your cash bank account options, including the ideal use of checking, savings, and money market accounts for "retirees" and those "not yet retired."
It is not whether your financial professional is your fiduciary or not - it's how their fiduciary status actually works (and when).
An illustrated world review of capital market results in 2023, along with timeless advice for informing 2024 investment decisions.
If there is a universal investment ideal, it is probably this: Buy low and sell high. There exists an unassuming process for doing just that, called "rebalancing," but it is often overlooked for more exciting ideas.
Every year, the IRS evaluates and adjusts certain tax provisions to account for inflation. Below are the latest adjustments for the 2024 tax year - including common income, dividends, and gain tax brackets.
As winter settles in, reflect with us on sunnier times. Envision your finances as a garden—what actions would deserve your attention? Here are our four favorite items worth tending to as 2024 approaches… plus a reflection on how to make the most of the remaining year.
Were you surprised to receive a Medicare IRMAA letter from the Social Security Administration? Beware that certain income levels can increase your Medicare premium by up to 286% - an increase called "IRMAA". And yet, some people might still pursue this increase. If you're among the 4% to 5% of all Part B beneficiaries who received an "IRMAA" letter, here's what you need to know.
It's the time of year again to review Medicare options. The Open Enrollment Period — which begins on October 15 and runs through December 7 —is an opportunity to switch to a better Medicare health and prescription drug plan. Let's review the Open Enrollment Period options and look at changes to Medicare benefits for 2024.
For those who still need financial aid to pursue their dreams, here is how to proceed. The sooner you apply for the FAFSA®, the more likely your efforts will pay off.
Which specific investment ideas work, and can they be relied upon going forward? Within, we review the most important academic insights that, in aggregate, offer us a clearer pathway with which to navigate the world's daily twists and turns.
A health savings account (HSA) provides a tax-smart way to confront the growing burden of healthcare costs while providing other unique tax advantages. Here's what you need to know towards making a lifetime of health & medical expenses tax-deductible (including most Medicare expenses).
Uncover your Financial Elements with a quick, powerful, and private financial health assessment available to clients and friends at www.openwindowFS.com/financialelements.
Tax savings can be significant by targeting the “Valley of Opportunity” that appears during lower-income tax years. Life tends to present these valleys as predictable opportunities, occurring at certain times and even at specific ages. Make sure you’re prepared to act by “filling up the valley” to avoid leaving your future self, or your beneficiaries, with higher effective tax rates.
Some perspectives on the US debt ceiling: Congress has acted to raise the debt ceiling 78 distinct times since 1960. As the current drama continues, let's consider the various potential outcomes and your most advisable financial strategy.
The "4% rule" is a handy rule of thumb for estimating a safe and sustainable level of spending in retirement. Does it hold up? Let's learn more about the rule, including how to personalize it for your life.
The 80/20 rule suggests 80% of an outcome is the result of 20% of the effort put into it. In that spirit, here are three financial best practices that pack a lot of value per “pound”.
It’s important to keep your personal data safe, both on and offline. Learn some important identity theft prevention tips here.