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How Easy is it to Buy a House in 2024?
When factoring in mortgage rates, the story does not look better. Mortgage rates have increased from 2.79% to 6.5%, with rates peaking in October 2023 at 7.7%. While this does not impact the down payment needed for a home, it greatly affects the monthly payment.
Retiring with Employer Stock in your 401(k)? Consider this…
As hiring and retaining talented employees becomes increasingly competitive, it is not uncommon to see employers issue stock to their employees as an incentive. Due to this growing trend, it is also common to see individuals with a high concentration of employer stock within their sponsored retirement accounts.
Choices for Investing Cash
Treasury bonds might be a good fit if you prioritize safety and are comfortable with limited liquidity. However, if immediate access to your money is crucial, a money market fund might be preferable.
Factors in Predicting Fed Rate Hikes
While Federal Reserve rate hike predictions are essential for navigating financial markets, their historical accuracy is subject to various factors and limitations.
Understanding the Kiddie Tax: How it Works and What Parents Need to Know
The Kiddie Tax applies to children under 19 years old and full-time students under 24 who don't support themselves financially. The tax is assessed on unearned income received by children who meet previously noted age requirements.
Bitcoin ETFs: Do They Have a Place in Your Portfolio?
It's important to note that a handful of Bitcoin ETFs were trading before the SEC's decision. However, those funds utilized Bitcoin futures contracts rather than Bitcoin itself.
HSA Contributions for Adult Children on Your Health Plan
Many understand the tax advantages of employing a health savings account for themselves or their family, but few know how it can be used for an adult child. Check the rules to see if your adult child can open their own HSA.
Tax Time: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Tax season can be a stressful time for many of us. Spending extra time on preparation can make the whole process run more smoothly and avoid the kind of errors that a slapdash approach can engender.
Is This Goodbye to Rate Hikes?
Chairman Powell, for the first time, discussed the possibility of lowering interest rates in 2024 to avoid harming the economy. This was a substantial change from the Fed's previous stance, which was effectively "it's too soon to talk about lowering rates.
Tax Refund: Save or Spend?
What should you do when you get a large refund? If you have any debt, specifically high-interest debt, one of the best uses of your tax refund would be to pay down that debt.
Ask Bedel
Welcome to #AskBedel, a weekly personal-wealth Q&A where you can ask financial planning and investment experts for advice. Each week we’ll be answering your personal finance questions, so be sure to submit your questions to Bedel@BedelFinancial.com.
New Year, New Money Resolutions
Nearly half of Americans still feel the wrath of inflation and higher living costs, which is a great reason to go back to the basics with your financial-related New Year resolutions.