A Winning Tax Planning Strategy Doesn’t Have a Big Tax Refund

Clock and Tax return

Every year, as the calendar pages flip toward April, a certain buzz fills the air. It’s not just the promise of spring but the anticipation of tax refunds. There’s a common belief, almost a financial folklore, that getting a big tax refund is akin to hitting a mini jackpot. But here’s a hot take from […]

What if your 401(k) offers after-tax and Roth contribution options?

plant-growing-out-of-money

When it comes to saving for the long-term, the 401(k) plan is the most common option for employees to build a nest-egg. However, not all 401(k) contributions are created equal.  Beyond the typical pre-tax contributions associated with 401(k) plans, some employer-sponsored 401(k) plans have started offering after-tax and Roth options. While variety is the spice […]

Merging Finances as a Couple: Which Path to Choose?

two piggy banks looking at each other

In our last post, we discussed the foundational steps couples needed to take to merge their finances. . Now, we move onto part two: the actual merging of finances. We’ll break down the three options couples have to merge (or not merge) their finances and the pros and cons of each.   Fully Merging All Finances: […]

Financial Planning for Couples

love and money

Since I’ve started working as a financial planner, I’ve learned so much from my clients about what good planning actually is. One area that has become important is financial planning for couples. The most important thing I’ve learned is that  there is no right or wrong way to do it!   Logistics aside, the conversation typically […]

How High(er) Interest Rates Affect Financial Planning

computer showing high interest rates

Interest rates play a pivotal role in our economic landscape, making them an aspect of financial planning we pay close attention to. Not only do interest rates affect the ups and downs of investment portfolios, they shape our day-to-day financial activities like saving cash, borrowing money, and paying off debt. As a result, it’s crucial […]

Why Aren’t My Investments Growing?

Searching for answers on investments

Why Haven’t My Investments Grown as Promised? Over the past year, you may have been asking yourself why your investments haven’t been growing. How come, even with all the money we’ve put into our 401k or brokerage accounts, the value still feels stagnant? How come we’re not reaping the benefits of compounding growth?  Your questions […]

What It Means That We’re CFP® Professionals

what it means to be a cfp

In the world of financial planning, the Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®) designation is considered to be the gold standard. It represents a commitment to education, ethics and the highest standards of fiduciary responsibility. At Thinking Big, both Jim Marrocco and I proudly hold the CFP® designation.  The CFP Board is an ever-evolving organization whose overarching […]

Planning for Inflation in Your Cash Flow

planning for inflation in cash flow

For the first time in 25 years, the US is contending with higher inflation than it’s used to in recent memory. We’ve all read the headlines about rising food and housing costs. But inflation has not consistently been above 3% since the mid-1990s (take a look at this chart for a more detailed look). The […]

How Do You Care For Your Parents and Loved Ones?

how to take care of parents

Whether it’s a parent or relative or even a friend, taking care of our loved ones is a significant undertaking that requires thoughtful planning and attention. At Thinking Big, we’ve noticed this conversation becoming more common. The main question we hear from clients is: What do I do to prepare?  In guiding these conversations, we […]

How to Tell If You’re Saving Enough for Your Future Self

saving-for-future

How much to save for the future is often the main reason clients come to us seeking help with financial planning. And it seems to be on everyone’s mind. When I talk with friends and family about finances, long-term savings is usually the topic du jour (though me being a financial planner no doubt encourages […]