Author: troyashbacher

By Dr. Jim Dahle, WCI Founder I received a question recently via email from a WCIer: “I have a brokerage account and invest in low-cost index funds like the Fidelity 500 Index Fund (FXAIX). I have been speaking to a Fidelity ‘advisor’ who is recommending that I transfer money from my brokerage account to a Separately Managed Account (SMA) for the tax savings and [a] better net return. The ‘advisor’ claims that despite these low-cost index funds having low expense ratios, they have significant tax burden that an SMA account can mitigate. The problem for me is that the SMA…

Enjoy the current installment of “Weekend Reading For Financial Planners” – this week’s edition kicks off with the news that while the Securities and Exchange Commission has withdrawn several rules proposed under previous Chair Gary Gensler (regarding firms’ use of outsourcing custody, and the use of predictive analytics), some compliance experts suggest that an assumption that the regulator might take a lighter touch when it comes to examinations and enforcement might be misguided, highlighting several enforcement actions taken this year (related to breach of fiduciary duty, failure to disclose conflicts of interest, Reg S-P violations, and violations of the SEC’s…

Tax planning is not just about paying less in taxes; it is about creating flexibility. With tax laws in constant motion and new savings opportunities emerging, retirement planning now requires a clear understanding of how different account types affect long-term tax flexibility and income planning. By spreading assets across tax-deferred, Roth, and taxable accounts, you build options for how and when to draw income throughout life. That flexibility helps you respond to changes in both your personal situation and the tax environment, creating a stronger, more adaptable financial foundation for the years ahead. Understanding the Three Tax Buckets Tax-deferred accounts These include traditional…

Welcome back to another edition of my weekly blog! If you are new here, this is just a fun little way that I write down the frugal and off-grid living things we did this week to hopefully give you some ideas and tips, and also just to be able to connect and share! Meals We Ate Now that the weather is colder, I’m trying to get back to sourdough. Ever since we’ve moved, I’ve really struggled with it because of the high altitude. I made three different batches this week, and it’s finally starting to look good. We also ate:…

YOU GUYS. The delivery men got here with the new washing machine yesterday, and…it was dented. Like, seriously dented on both sides. So it had to go back onto the truck. BOOOOOOOO. I was terribly disappointed, because I had been thrilled at the prospect of having a functioning washing machine again! And I had waited so long for a day when a delivery option matched up with a day I was not at work. I know this is an extremely first-world problem, but I’m not gonna lie, I was pretty sad. However, the good news is that a new one…

Dollar General Penny List – What’s On Sale 11/11/2025? Facebook Pinterest Twitter

The price of solar has plummeted nationwide over the past decade, and costs in California are no exception. The typical cost of a home solar power system in California was $21,786 in the second half of 2023, based on the average system size of 8.1kW and median cost per watt according to data from EnergySage, a solar and home energy product comparison marketplace. The federal solar tax credit could potentially reduce that cost by as much as 30%, bringing it down to $15,250. Among the 42 states EnergySage surveyed, California had the lowest typical installation costs. Solar costs for each…

If you ever plan on selling a rental property (which you probably should), listen to this Rookie Reply.Halloween is over, but we’ve got two real estate investing stories that would make any investor’s skin crawl. First, a buyer is delaying closing longer and longer, coming up with excuses, lying to the seller, and wants more time. But…they’re your only offer, and it’s getting close to the winter slow season. What do you do?Next, a seller financing deal gone wrong (in every single way). Your buyer stops paying you, starts renting your house out, takes the money, and, get this, moves…

It’s a good problem to have: having too much money saved for retirement and having additional money to leave to your heirs. Here’s a look at the types of people who are saving a lot in their lifetimes and how you can be one of them. Who Saves the Most? A National Bureau of Economic Research study reveals what types of people work and save the most. According to the study, married men work in the labor force and save “substantially” throughout their lifetimes. Married women’s time in the labor market peaks in middle age. Single men show a decline…

People taking GLP-1 meds could see costs drop in 2026, thanks to a new federal deal with Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, the makers of Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound. If you’re paying cash for a GLP-1, prices will fall to $350 per month or lower, according to a White House press release, with reports that it could trend down to $245 within two years. The pill version of Wegovy — pending approval from the Food and Drug Administration — could cost about $150 per month. That’s a shift from today’s prices, where most GLP-1 drugs list for more than…