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Family & Taxes
Date 09/06/2017
Should You Sacrifice Your Retirement for Your Children's College Education?
We can be so complacent about the security of our daily existence, that an event like this seems unrealistic. But, we're getting continued reminders, every year, of how fragile our modern world truly can be. But that doesn't mean you have to panic. With a few basic points of preparation, you and your family could be vastly more prepared than your neighbors, even giving you the opportunity to be ones who can support and assist your neighbors, rather than have to "ask" for support....Read More
Posted by Patrick O'Hara
Date 06/27/2017
Financial Advice for Multi-Generational Caretaking
Time was, families used to be dealing with elderly parents, young children ... and everything in between, all in one house! This is less common now, and as a result, many families are actually unprepared for how to handle it -- simply because models are much less plentiful. The reason I highlight it now, is that we can help -- whether with specific practical assistance, or even just dispassionate advice. You might know somebody in this situation -- or you could be dealing with it yourself....Read More
Posted by Patrick O'Hara
Date 06/13/2017
For many people, worrying about things can become more vexing than the original problem they were grappling with...Read More
Posted by Patrick O'Hara
Date 06/05/2017
Six Good Reasons Everyone Should Have An Estate Plan
Many well-meaning (and very loving) parents haven't yet established an estate plan. That is a sad reality. Yes, perhaps they've downloaded a fill-in-the-blank will from a software service, but unfortunately, with many situations, these don't cover every important component of your wishes...Read More
Posted by Patrick O'Hara
Date 02/06/2017
Great Love Gestures On A Budget
With Valentine's Day coming up (Tuesday the 14th), I thought I'd help my clients and friends make some romance magic, but do it in a way that saves them cash.Yes, America -- you can still be romantic on a budget...Read More
Posted by Patrick O'Hara
Date 12/06/2016
Now, there's a lot of talk these days about millennials, and how this generation might be a little different than those in the past...Read More
Posted by Patrick O'Hara
Date 11/14/2016
Financial Training Wheels For Teenagers
If we decide to instruct our kids how to responsibly manage their money then perhaps they might avoid financial catastrophe in their own adult lives...Read More
Posted by Patrick O'Hara
Date 10/10/2016
Money Moves For The Milestones
For planning purposes, remember that each decade of life usually carries with it several big money moments. Major life events like landing a new job or getting married are usually joyous, but they also have an impact on your finances....Read More
Posted by Patrick O'Hara
Date: 10/03/2016
Sadly, too many families neglect a critical aspect of raising children: teaching them to be financially savvy. But if you want to raise kids who can create and manage wealth, there are a handful of critical rules that are foundational...Read More
Posted by Patrick O'Hara
Date 08/29/2016
A Brief Rundown of School-Related Tax Benefits
There are a bunch of resources for students that many of my clients and friends may not realize are available to them...Read More
Posted by Patrick O'Hara
Date: 08/08/2016
Helping Children Become Financially Satisfied
So how do we hold back a flood of consumerism, and teach our children the true meaning of gifts, giving and the upcoming holiday season? Well, some of my wiser clients might say ...Read More
Posted by Patrick O'Hara
Date 07/25/2016
Estate Planning: It's Not About The Money
It's an all-too-common misconception that smart estate planning is all about avoiding the estate tax. And, if that were the case, only the very wealthy would be affected by it. You may fall into that category, but even if you DON'T (and also if you do), you should be considering the following questions as a family...Read More
Posted by Patrick O'Hara
Date 07/18/2016
Getting Your Credit Score Fixed, Fast
If you want to fix your credit score, you need to know what your current score is. Most creditors rely on the three-digit FICO credit score...Read More
Posted by Patrick O'Hara
Date 07/11/2016
Planning Wealth Around a Child With Special Needs
Here is the standard thinking, in regards to setting up your affairs with children who have special needs. Families realize that they have to support these children for the rest of their lives. So, they typically write wills and take out significant term life insurance policies. They are careful to name a trust as the beneficiary...Read More
Posted by Patrick O'Hara
Date 06/27/2016
My Dad said a lot over the years, giving me some valuable lessons. I'm attempting here to summarize his thoughts...so call this a paraphrase of Dad's Life Financial Wisdom...Read More
Posted by Patrick O'Hara
Date 06/20/2016
Protecting The Hearts (and Wallets) of Your Kids
While it is impossible to completely shield kids from all the hard things that go on around them, I happen to believe money worries are one of those things we shouldn't share with kids...Read More
Posted by Patrick O'Hara
Date 06/13/2016
How Not To Lose Financial Ground
I know life is hard. I know being single is expensive. I know being married is expensive. Having children is expensive. And there's no doubt that getting divorced can be a drain too. Yes, working two (maybe even three) jobs is exhausting. I haven't been all of these things. Maybe you have. But on the surface all these "reasons for losing money" are just the result of a much bigger problem...Read More
Posted by Patrick O'Hara
Date: 06/06/2016
So begins "vacation season". June is here and school is pretty much out, and many families have already planned for their time away. But when following your vacation itinerary, the last thing you want to do is worry about any financial loss that might occur as a result of a missed flight, an injury or illness, lost baggage, or any other unforeseen incident...Read More
Posted by Patrick O'Hara
Date 05/31/2016
What Really Happens To An Estate
There is some occasional confusion about what happens when someone passes away, and what happens to their assets. If they have over $100K in assets, it is will be handled in one of three ways...Read More
Posted by Patrick O'Hara
Date: 05/02/2016
Financial Wisdom From The Sage
Billionaires aren't hatched overnight. But there will be another generation of such men and women in the next few decades -- and chances are, they will tread the same path as those who have come before. So how did Warren Buffett do it? Here's some of the basic path...Read More
Posted by Patrick O'Hara
Date 03/28/2016
We can be so complacent about the security of our daily existence, that an event like this seems unrealistic. But, we're getting continued reminders, every year, at how fragile our modern world truly can be...Read More
Posted by Patrick O'Hara
Date 03/21/2016
An Open Accounting With Your Partner
Do you get a knot in your gut when your spouse asks you how the finances are looking? Do you practice a policy of "Don't ask, Don't tell"?...Read More
Posted by Patrick O'Hara
Date 02/22/2016
Five Financial Commitments For Marriage
One of the most pressing, painful and significant issues within a marriage can be the problem of finances. For some, this presents no significant hurdle whatsoever -- often because the money is flowing, and there are no pressing concerns. However, this can be a band-aid over problems that eventually show themselves when the (inevitable) crisis strikes...Read More
Posted by Patrick O'Hara
Date 02/15/2016
When I think about what frightens parents most, seeing their children in a vulnerable position pretty much tops the list -- whether it's at home, at the pool, or any other place in public. What exacerbates this further is knowing the fear which children themselves feel when they are surrounded by people they don't know, and aren't sure what to expect from what their parents have set up for them. Put the following steps into place, and you'll eliminate at least some of these dangers...Read More
Posted by Patrick O'Hara
Date: 02/03/2016
Receiving a Large Refund or Inheritance (or Winnings)
According to recent data from the Federal Reserve (what do they NOT keep track of??), more than nine million households in the U.S. reported getting an inheritance of at least $100,000. And there is other data which suggests that baby boomers stand to receive over $8 trillion in inheritance over the next few decades. But sometimes such "blessings" end up as curses to those who aren't prepared...Read More
Posted by Patrick O'Hara
Date 1/13/2016
Teach Your Children Well In 2016
The beginning of the year is the perfect time to start a new regime with your family for
instilling great financial smarts. We may be a few weeks in, but really -- anytime in
January is a good time to begin making changes. [Read More]
Posted by Patrick O'Hara
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