Posts by Ben Rickey
Brexit
Last week the United Kingdom (UK) voted to leave the European Union (EU), leading to Prime Minister David Cameron’s resignation and swift reactions in the financial markets. As a result of the political uncertainty, stocks, bonds and currencies reacted strongly. Financial markets had priced in the UK staying in the EU, so the vote took investors…
Read MoreIt’s Dad Time!
In honor of Father’s Day the team at Leonard Rickey collected wise words of wisdom from our Dads: “The best liked people in a room are the ones who talk about themselves the least.” – Kelli “Stay humble, help others, and always give something back” – Susan “No matter what, tell the truth. It’s much better to face the problem…
Read MoreWhere Your Durable Power of Attorney Won’t Work
You’ve seen a qualified attorney and drafted up a Durable Power of Attorney so your loved ones can act on your behalf if you become incapacitated or disabled. You think everything’s set. But is it? A DPOA is a widely recognized and useful legal document, but it may not work in every situation. Social Security…
Read More2016 Changes Coming to Social Security and Medicare
The budget bill signed by President Obama in November included significant changes to the Social Security program. The changes have left many pre-retirees scrambling to make sense of the new rules. Here’s a breakdown of some of the changes coming: The Good News *No COLA. Existing Medicare beneficiaries won’t see an increase in their Medicare Part…
Read MoreWhat’s the Difference? Time Weighted Return versus Internal Rate of Return
A common question we hear from our clients is “what is my rate of return?” The true answer is: there is more than one way to look at returns. Understanding the differences can help you make better informed financial decisions. The two most acceptable methods to calculate returns are Time-Weight Return (TWR) and Internal Rate…
Read MoreBig Changes to Washington’s GET Program
Earlier this month, changes were made to the Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) program. The changes were in response to the recent reduction in tuition for Washington’s public colleges and universities. Tuition will be reduced at UW & WSU by 15% over the next two academic years. In addition, beginning in 2017-18, resident undergraduate tuition will…
Read MoreIncome in Retirement – Can it affect your Social Security Benefits?
These days, returning to work after retiring is a common trend. Whether you’re looking for an additional income stream to ease your finances into full retirement, or maybe you’re wanting to purse that dream career. Whatever your reason for re-entering the workforce, your Social Security, health insurance, and tax situation may be affected. Here’s some…
Read MoreGetting the most from your Social Security Benefits
It can be one of the most important financial decisions you’ll have to make in your life – when to begin taking Social Security retirement benefits. The years between 62 and 70 can make a world of difference to your financial future and the future of your spouse and heirs. Often, the decision can be…
Read MoreFifteen Ways to Save Money Fast (Part 1)
There are infinite life changes that can help you save money, but here are a few of the easiest. These fifteen tips and tricks will help keep your wallet fat and happy. 1. Learn to Make Starbucks at Home Whether you learned the habit in college, from parents, or at the office, a warm morning…
Read MoreOvercoming the Top Money Problems That Lead to Financial Regrets
Most people would love to have a do-over when it comes to how they have handled their money. A recent survey by Money-Rates cited by Personal Finance Cheat Sheet examined the average person’s financial regrets and fears. By making a conscious commitment to change financial habits and attitudes, it’s possible to overcome obstacles that get…
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