With travels down South for the Houston Holiday Party concluding and fun travels next week…. The travel related advantage points are happily stacking up, and the Holiday Season is Coming FAST…. Especially with the weird Calendar this year —
Did anyone else get caught by the calendar this year? Yours Truly sure did!
Final Week Of School for the Sophomore
Next week is Finals week for the 16 year old…thankfully the straight A second semester Collegiate Freshman is here to help her brother AND run a ton of errands…. Wow… NICE!
New Blog Site Plunge About to be Taken
With a goal of having a new site here at http://www.street-cents.com by the turn of the calendar….said Calendar is getting full….
Ok…. you know that old saying, tell someone so you will be accountable? You have been told and the accountability is ON! Now to attach the patience hat securely!!
Newsletter In the Works
Our editor has said the HUGE Tax subject content is filling the Newsletter….so a quick pivot to Capital Market and Economic info is up next for Weekend and travel related duty!
Ahhh….today is a Friday, Enjoy.. Spend time with those important and Talk Next Week from the Road!
We look forward to sharing the Holiday Spirit with you next week in Houston Texas…. Just let us know you can make it and we will have a fun spot for you!
With a lot of chuckles at the Holiday Party from the YouTube Loop of Monthly Videos and Quarterly Newsletter reviews, along with some specials also in the loop…. The book ends for the loop were none other than….
HAPPY THANKGIVING BLOOPER…..
….. a finger pointing or two at the very large monitor hanging over the Fireplace at DAC running the loop….it was back on!
While I have never experienced outdoor bathrooms, my father sure has…. So when something in not correct in that warm or cool, comfy bathroom a little reflective perspective …
Immigrants Coming to the USA – WOW
Work School Family…. An astounding 98% of Immigrants come to the USA for one of these reasons…
Pretty strong and valuable reasons….. This from our buds at Visual Capitalists ….
Happy Friday and Happy Reminder for our 27th Annual Party!!!
The festivities are One week from Tomorrow … 3-5 PM – November 18th at Dallas Athletic Club…
Let Jen know at jen@jkfinancialinc.com as we will be happily tallying the final headcount soon!
Look forward to seeing you there!
Whew that was close – This Website Vanishes from the Designer side!
Upon arrival at a state just north of our residence…. Oklahoma…. after settling in on Wednesday the intent was to write this post (creations usually a day or so ahead, especially during the week)
Boom… No Website…. WHAT?? Not kidding…
YIKES…. Lots of finger pointing…. at 11 PM last night everything was back in order, better nights rest…. this of course all stems from a new website in process…. Careful guys….
Veteran’s Day- Honored Today!
Best Wishes to all for Veterans Day! Thank you !
Have a good Friday and weekend- thankfully talking to you today and happily next week!
With the conclusion of a fast and furious, but VERY fun trip over the last 36 hours…. Back in the saddle … kinda for the last day of the week…. an interesting topic occurred while on the trip….
Early am catch up yesterday with “Donald The Brain” … we both casually commented on how hard it is sometimes to take the ball rather than swing for that bad pitch (baseball on the mind with big game tonight) but hopefully you get the point….
“Don’t just do Something…. Stand there!” … NOT EASY!!!
More on this on a non Friday/Pre-Halloween day!
Charity Event later Today ,,,,
Happy to attend an annual event sponsored in part for the Wounded Warrior organization…. mother nature allowing….
Friday Weekend Before Halloween – Careful
With a touch of fatigue and hopefully an afternoon event today if Mother nature allows…. wanted to remind everyone to be careful this weekend as the Halloween Celebrations are unofficially on Saturday, but little ghosts and goblins will be around all weekend, Saturday and Tuesday for sure….
Have a good Friday and Spooky weekend if the shoe fits… Talk next week!
Those dropping by the office over the last year may have noticed in staying with the times as we approach a decade and a half in our office … we updated our desks, furniture, added some large video monitors as well as larger computer monitors …. the last under the guise of having more virtual meetings (some of the purpose was to avoid readers and eye fatigue haha- not kidding) …
New Office Pictures
While the pictures are not out yet, and even with some interactive office views- looking forward to seeing what it looks like…. Last Friday October 6, 2023 the professional photographer came by in the afternoon and took the pictures…
Finding this very interesting and not having any problems chatting with folks….a Family member of the photographer also comes as a third generation web designer…. ahaaa…. An answer to our Blog Template (this site) retirement problem… Hopefully!
Just a reminder, today money will likely not move due to a Holiday… Prepare appropriately!
Traveling later this week, looking forward to the visits, the travel and seeing other parts of the country….not a lot of time to take things in, but always fun anyway!
Debt Ceiling/Government Shutdown …. Yaaa, yaaa… it may seem like we have been here before….
That is because we actually have, as mentioned here on May 26, 2023 – just a few months ago… We were in a Debt Ceiling Government showdown that was … as expected, kicked down the road….
Welcome to our Video and Audio Podcast Review of our Q4 2023 Newsletter. For those on the road or just unable to grab the time to read, our podcast type review gives you the behind the scenes insight to our thoughts, observations and deep views of the entire Newsletter.
Click the Download button below, for a direct link to an electronic version (an early peek-good ole fashion paper versions are on their way to you shortly) and here for our Newsletter page
Rate Increase GOOD for Pension Plans and Pension Recipients
Special thanks to Milliman and Rebecca head of medial relations for allowing us the ability to reference this fantastic data… also sourced at the end of our post/article.
Here are the top 100 pension plans, a lot of names you likely know and maybe even have a pension with… At least one family member included in this.
With higher interest rates, something we have mentioned numerous times… Notice because of a rather complex future liability projection, pension plans for the most part are FINALLY funded….YAY
Don’t Fight the Fed! Wait, are we Fighting the FED? YEP
This unusual correlation especially when the blue line is going down, represents the FED (Federal Open Market Committee) pulling money from the economy or trying to slow the Economy.
Add higher rates, at the fastest pace ever….
Interesting that participants are fighting the FED, even though they regularly quote “Don’t Fight The FED!”
Stimulus still sloshing around in the Economy…
True-Up Reminders – 401k and the Like
In the year 2023 (Currently heading towards a close) the maximum amount WE (not including matching) can contribute is $22.500 and for those either age 50 or older or turning age 50 happily in 2023, you get a nice catch-up amount of $7,500 bringing your deferred amount to a whopping $30,000!
Pro-Tip – Contribute evenly throughout the year, with a terminal amount of maximizing in late November or early December.
Pro-Trick – Similar to rushing/upping your contributions near the end of employment to maximize levels, if you are new to an employer and wish to maximize your contributions for the year, dump all you can to maximize your contributions now, with the intention of dropping that contribution level down to a normal level (see Pro-Tip above) after the turn of the calendar.
Do Not Overfill Duplicate Plan Years
Remember, if you have contributed to a plan earlier in the year via another employer, your new employer will not be able to throttle your contributions back if you happen to go over the total annual limit. Reach out for help and clarity on this!
Be Aggressive in New Plans
Lastly, in new plans, starting from scratch with new contributions, allocation should be wide open and aggressive with the hope of choppy entry points as your contributions make up the majoring of the plan and will take advantage of the ups and downs in the early years of the plan.
Cyber Reminder- Tips and Tricks
If there’s one thing, for those of us with little time or patients for a long read that we would like you to take from this article it is that most cyber intrusions come from an e-mail that has a bad actor with a hot link click, do not click on that bad hot link!
The second thing and more encouraging, most cyber security situations are not extremely complicated and are allowed by a simple letting of our guards down- see above point!
Handy tip #1– Use an only known to you, phrase or password.
Handy tip #2– Do not ignore the recommended updates!
USB/Pen Drives a No No Avoid the USB/pen drive at all costs unless you absolutely, 100% know where it came from
RMD Age Changes and other Important Dates
RMD (Required Minimum Distributions)
One of the most important and likely most confusing due to the recent multiple updates is the adjustment of Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) They are now mandatory to commence for those aged 73. Those turning 75 after 2033, your new RMD age is 75. Recall, these just a few years ago, moved from age 70 1/2 to 72, now to age 73 and eventually age 75. No wonder we are all confused!
Social Security Mandatory Commencement Date reminder age 70
The current maximum age that you may defer commencement of Social Security still remains at age 70, well below the new younger thresholds that we hopefully are all feeling.
The earliest one may take Social Security remains age 62, with a 25% discount to the full retirement age (FRA) benefit amount AND has a maximum earnings level of $21,240 from W-2 or 1099 (working income) not pension, investment or other non working types of income.
Have a Great Fall! Talk after the turn of the Calendar!
On Wednesday of this week, an entrance into the office garnered Jen’s computer running a virtual visit along with Q&A’s on the Merger….with her taking notes on important updates and points..
Donald “The Brain” had just gotten off of a research call and was crossing the Teams Chat with a couple of updates and thoughts…
Early that morning on the way out to start a jog, a neighbor, fellow advisor and long time friend pulled up in his vehicle…. We both had to lower our volumes, he was listening to a financial podcast and I had one going via my cell on my Air Pods….
It is fun, lucky and very gratifying to have such enthusiasm and great experiences with what we are lucky enough to call “Work!” But that is not really the correct description….
Of course, it is not all puppy dogs and rainbows, but is most of the time! Thanks to you guys….
Today is a Friday …. Enjoy your day and your weekend…. Talk Next Week!
The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine which investments may be appropriate for you, please consult your financial advisor prior to investing!
Background
The is the vocal portion of J.K. Financial, Inc. a Dallas Texas Based Fee Only Total Wealth Financial Planning Firm. Founded by John Kvale, a Dallas Texas Fee only Financial Planner and Total Wealth Manager.
How Many and Why Immigrants come to the USA … Complimentary to the USA … From Visual Capitalists …
While I have never experienced outdoor bathrooms, my father sure has…. So when something in not correct in that warm or cool, comfy bathroom a little reflective perspective …
Immigrants Coming to the USA – WOW
Work School Family…. An astounding 98% of Immigrants come to the USA for one of these reasons…
Pretty strong and valuable reasons….. This from our buds at Visual Capitalists ….
On a Thanksgiving week….
Hopefully That Bathroom may be pretty comfy
Have a Great “Thankful Thanksgiving Week” Day!
John A. Kvale CFA, CFP
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Posted in Economy, John Kvale, Market Comments, Personal
Tagged Immigrants, Thanksgiving, Visual Capitalist