From our friends at Visual Capitalist …
This three part series is just too good to pass up … we will present the other two parts soon …
Even if you do not care for Elon Musk and his ideas, it’s hard not to admit he has effectuated changes that will be with us for some time!
Have a Good “Innovative” Day!
John A. Kvale CFA, CFP
Last week we discussed the coming big article in our Q1 2018 Newsletter concerning the new Medicare Tiers and Means Testing. In that article we discuss the income levels that will trigger higher premiums.
If you have been targeted of higher means, you will receive an IRMAA letter! You have been IRMAATized
Short for Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount –
Definition – You have been Mean’s Tested and the Social Security Administration (SSA) is asking you to pay more for Medicare Premiums.
The SSA is likely looking at your income from two years ago.
Good News- There is a solution if this is an unusual income amount or you have had a life changing event. This SSA Form 44 from the SSA is what you will need.
Life Changing Events According to SSA:
There are literally check boxes with these subjects in it. Of course life has curve balls that may not allow you to “Check the Box” … We have had continued success with folks going to the SSA office and presenting their case directly to the agent.
We would suggest the timely but productive visit if there is anything out of the ordinary with your proving of “Life Changing Event”!
Bring Proof
“ I understand that signing this form does not constitute a request for SSA to use a more recent tax year information unless it is accompanied by:
This information is stated just before a signature section on the SSA Form. Heed the warning and bring whatever proof in order to speed processing.
There you have it … many more options to correct the situation than a “Dear John” letter!
Have a Great “Non IRMAATized” Day!
John A. Kvale CFA, CFP
The cost of higher education has continued to rise, along with it, interesting statistics.
The stress levels at the end of the chart are most interesting to us!
From our friends at Visual Capitalists
Have a Great Day!
John A. Kvale CFA, CFP
Posted in Education, Investing/Financial Planning
This post will make the 1304, yes, THIRTEEN HUNDRED AND FOURTH post. Never thought it would be so much fun to inform, define views, hold folks accountable, and just speak our minds occasionally.
Constantly we look back at our posts for information, not only our views, but in almost every post we have a link to sources, the initial data, and peripheral information making a review of the deep dive we did to present you the post easily accessible.
How to search http://www.street-cents.com for information, two easy ways:
Both search methods are simple and near the same area of the page on our street-cents home page.
A Broad Topic Search can be completed by scrolling to the “Category” tab on the right side of the main page of our blog and clicking the topic of your choice. The results will be all posts related to the topic.
A more specific search can be accomplished by again scrolling to the right side of our blog site and entering a key word in the “Search Our Posts” section.
Example 1. By searching in Category > “Estate Planning” you will get our most recent posts which are :
And if you continue scrolling, the auto update feature of our blog site will continue to bring up tons of historical posts, all about Estate Planning.
Example 2. By entering “401k” in our “Search Our Posts” section, you will get the following:
And once again by scrolling down, you will see literally dozens of articles, sources, data and links to the details we researched when presenting the post originally.
We utilize these search features constantly ourselves, and thought it would be handy to share our secret with you! Hope you enjoy … Happy easily research/reviewing!
Have a great “Searchable Information” Monday!
John A. Kvale, CFA, CFP
Social Media in it's broadest definition touches us all in one way or another.
You reading this, and us publishing, is a form of social media!
We found it very interesting to see what Social Media looked like nearly a decade ago.
From the cool sight of Visual Capitalist and authors noted:
Of course a lot has changed … lot's of mergers, deaths and faded memories!
We are interested in reviewing as many of these are news to us.
Enjoy your weekend!
John A. Kvale CFA, CFP
Founder of J.K. Financial, Inc.
A Dallas Texas based fee only
Financial Planning Total Wealth
Management firm.
http://www.jkfinancialinc.com
http://www.street-cents.com
Posted in Education, Investing/Financial Planning
Tagged Social Media, technology, Visual Capitalist
Its hard for us to hold off on surprises…
It’s hard for us to hold off on fun articles too…
With lot’s more details coming in the next Newsletter….
Surprise! Here is a preview of the App of the Quarter.
This quarter’s App is more of a device and a new way to track yourself as we review the Fitbit and it’s changes on our behavior.
Step Tracker
Mostly known as a step tracker, we argue there is more to these devices than just a fancy step tracker, although they do a great job of monitoring your daily activities via your motion or steps.
Also lots of fun for friend and family challenges…cheating accusations will occur, especially from smaller frames to larger ones.
Heart Monitor
With a family of high blood pressure, the heart monitor was very intriguing…. you may not beat as often as you think, leading to possibly better blood pressure than monitored while under the pressure of your regular doctor or just before the knife of your friendly dentist.
Sleepy? Maybe you are not sleeping enough?
One of the biggest surprise is just how little sleep you may be getting, unknowingly. Take pride it getting 8 hours of sleep, just as the Dr. ordered? Bet you are not getting as much as you think you are. Yes these devices also monitor our sleeping.
Look for more in the coming Newsletter as this is just a taste to wet your self monitoring appetite!
Have a Great Day!
John A. Kvale CFA, CFP
Posted in Education, Investing/Financial Planning, John Kvale, Personal
Tagged App of Quarter, Fitbit
October 2016 Video, Financial Planning Tips and Economic Review- By John Kvale
Here is our October 2016, Financial Planning Tip (S) and Monthly Economic Review, along with a Video for your viewing and listening pleasure. Hope you enjoy!
October 2016 Video
Financial Planning Tip(s) –
Charitable Giving from An IRA
Yes we CAN finally donate funds from an IRA, as our post reminds, as long as we meet the following requirements:
Tricks for Getting Health Insurance
Here are a few great ideas we have learned over the years, as mentioned here for getting Health Coverage:
Cool College Review Information
Our somewhat humorous, but handy review of Princeton College Ranking Review. Some good and others, well maybe you would rather not be a part.
Economic Update
Banks are Lending
On the far right…. look at that money dripping out of the banks and into the US Economy….
Speaking of Economy, how about this NICE GDP (Gross Domestic Production) release- Far right graph bar rising… THAT’s GOOD!
Have a Great Day!
See you next month !
John A. Kvale CFA, CFP
Founder of J.K. Financial, Inc.
A Dallas Texas based fee only
Financial Planning Total Wealth
Management firm.
www.jkfinancialinc.com
www.street-cents.com
Share this:
Like this:
Leave a comment
Posted in Earnings, Economy, Education, General Financial Planning, Investing/Financial Planning, Market Comments, Monthly Review, Retirement Planning, Tax Related, Video
Tagged Charity IRA Distribution, GDP, Health Insurance, IRA Distribution, Princeton College Review