Milestones Group

Milestones Minutes: Life Insurance with Extended-Care Riders As conventional extended-care policies grow costlier, alternatives have emerged....Continue reading

Milestones Minutes: Managing Money as a Couple What are the keys to prepare to grow wealthy together?...Continue reading

Employee Retention Credit (ERC) info: This is actually a really generous credit for employers who meet certain criteria. When I say employer that means that you have to be paying payroll for this credit. Sole proprietors or LLCs without any employees are not going to qualify for this particular program. The first way that an employer can qualify is if they were closed or even partially suspended by government order at any time during the pandemic. This closure qualification ...Continue reading

Milestones Minutes: A few possibilities to consider. Will you be receiving a tax refund this year? If so, you might want to think about the destiny of that money. Here are a few options to consider:... Start (or add to) an emergency fund. Do you have a dedicated rainy day fund? Consider setting this money aside for a tight spot you may find yourself in at another time. Invest in yourself. You could put the money toward education, career training, or personal improvement. Use it for a down payment on a vehicle or real property. Real property may represent a better financial choice, but updating your vehicle may have merit - cars do wear out. Put it into a retirement account. If you haven’t maximized your contributions this year or have a chance to get an employer match, it may be worth considering. Pay down debt. Almost always a wise move. Get your home ready for the market. Spruce up the yard, exterior, or interior of your residence, or hire professional who can assist you with staging it. Improve your home with energy-saving appliances. Or windows, or weather-stripping, or solar panels just to name a few options. See a doctor, optometrist, dentist or physical therapist. If you have not been able to see these professionals due to your insurance situation or your personal cash flow, why not do it now? Pay for a getaway you have been dreaming about. If you are debt-free and feel financially confident, perhaps you should consider rewarding yourself with travel? Pay it forward. Your refund could turn into a charitable contribution (deductible on next year’s federal tax return, if you itemize deductions.) By carefully considering how to use your refund in advance, you may be able to avoid asking yourself, later, that age-old question Where did it all go? As always, if you have any questions about your tax or financial needs please contact us at Milestones Group. *Discussions in this segment should not be construed as specific recommendations or investment advice. Always consult with your investment professional before making important investment decisions. Securities offered through Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a registered Broker/Dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC.* Securities offered through Registered Representatives of Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a broker-dealer, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Adviser. Milestones Group and Cambridge are not affiliated. Cambridge does not offer tax or legal advice.