The Blog

Yes, here I am again — and yes, I know the W-2’s haven’t arrived, and you might not have begun to really think about little ol’ Tom Bass and your taxes yet. But today I want to offer you some reasons why … well, you should. In fact, there are LOTS of good reasons. For instance: get your refund sooner. … Read More

Only THREE weeks left in 2019, my friend. What will you do to finish strong? One good idea (if you haven’t yet done so), is to send me the answers to these questions by shooting us an email through the button at the top of the page. Your answers will help us to know whether there is something *we* can … Read More

Well, here we are into December, the final month of 2019 — and the final month of this DECADE. A lot sure has changed, for you, for me, and for the world. But before we wax too retrospective, let’s sit where we are for a bit. The December holidays are upon us. And it’s also the time for another kind … Read More

Imagine … You are ripped from your childhood home while young and trafficked across the ocean to a country where you don’t speak the language. You are sold to practitioners of a religion that you don’t understand, and there is no apparent possibility of return. Imagine … You are quietly going along with your life, worshiping God the way you … Read More

Is the holiday season indeed “the most wonderful time of the year”? One could make a strong argument. However, for every gift we receive there are 10 or so emails asking us to give to a cause. Whether online or via snail mail, charitable organizations capitalize on the season’s tax-reducing giving benefits. No one can blame these organizations — it’s … Read More

November is a wonderful start for holiday season with several traditions to match: pumpkin-spiced everything, no-shave November (apologies to those spouses affected), watching football and of course … Thanksgiving. Sorry to poke my accountant’s green shades into all those festivities, but it also happens to be a perfect time to strategize. (Add that to your new November “traditions” list.) We’re … Read More

Do you remember that old Visa commercial? It had quite a run during sporting events about a decade ago … everything in the restaurant/market is running smoothly — chefs are shipping up meals, customers are moving in an orderly fashion, credit card payments are keeping the line short, and then… …the main character pulls out his wallet, thumbs for some CASH … Read More

The World Series is here, football seasons are in full swing, school is deep in session, and the weather is shifting for sure. Fall has a way of running along faster than we realize. It’s kind of like our financial picture: things can change REAL fast, and before you know it, we’re buried under a pile of something that we’d … Read More

Autumn is here, and in some parts of the country, apparently that already means snow… Weather is a close second to “life” in terms of unpredictability. So I think that means two things: You should always carry an umbrella. Your life insurance policy should be clear and up-to-date. Today, we’re going to focus on that second item and how life … Read More

When it comes to your money, you’re either spending, saving, giving or investing. I know that many of my Orange County clients are doing all four, which is always wonderful to see. The last one, investing, is the one I want to focus on today. I talk a great deal about climbing out of financial holes, but sometimes one of … Read More