Mitchell C Hockenbury MBA, CFP

02/05/2024

I'm honored to have been a part....

12/29/2023

I was brought back to talk about a different book I had written, "Tactical Influence" for Mary's podcast. Even though she produces content for those in the legal field, there are plenty of good nuggets that can be used in any endeavor.

Link to Book:
https://www.amazon.com/Tactical-Influence-Countered-Insurgency-Words-ebook/dp/B08GQGY64B

Link to Podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2k4gc1TlWESwJwT4l8Khke

Legal Visionaries · Episode

11/23/2023

11/14/2023

Honored to spend some time on a great podcast talking about a personal finance book I wrote a few years ago. If you'd like to listen here is the link (another link to the book below).

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/if-i-had-known-about-money-then-wisdom-that-would-have/id1572678193?i=1000634742379

https://www.amazon.com/Only-Known-About-Money-Then/dp/1548056235/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=Mitchell+C.+Hockenbury&qid=1699990441&s=audible&sr=1-2-catcorr

‎Show Vandenack Weaver LLC - Legal Visionaries, Ep If I Had Known About Money Then: Wisdom That Would Have Saved $1,000,000 - 14 Nov 2023

10/15/2023

Open season for Medicare has opened now through December 7th. It is a good idea to review your current plan against others. You can also change/drop Part D or your Medicare Advantage plans. Remember: insurers plan for you to do nothing and there could be savings if you simply review.

PS- Social Security payments will increase 3.2% next year.

09/20/2023

September is College Savings Month and it is a good time to think through giving to children or grandchildren through 529 plans. There can be tax savings (you may qualify for a state tax deduction), the money grows tax-free inside the account and when used on school expenses is taken out tax-free. The accounts can be given from one person to the next (think: the beneficiary doesn't go to college for instance, you can transfer to another that does). Personally, I just converted a Coverdale Educational Savings Account to a state 529 plan. Why? The rules on 529 plans have gotten even better: if my daughter doesn't use for college, I can transfer the money into a Roth IRA for her! That is pretty powerful stuff. Clearly, there are rules and such behind the scenes so make sure you speak to your financial advisor or tax planner ahead of time, but make no mistake: these plans are powerful.

09/14/2023

I'm honored to have been invited to speak at UNO and pass along personal finance basics to the next generation. Too often I hear, "I wish I knew about (insert money topic) a long time ago" from clients. We can't go back in time, but I think it is important to pass along the wisdom we learn to those up and coming.

08/18/2023

I have been in need of a serious upgrade to my Google Business profile. So, I decided to take some photos of what it looks like to work with me and enlisted the service of an "expert"... my 9-year-old! She took great photos and I decided to turn the tables on her: Here are a couple photos of my photographer!

08/06/2023

An article today on the financial scams of the elderly. I talk about this a lot: slow down when asked for money. Slow down and ask a disinterested third party their opinion.

I oversaw the care of an elderly friend in his last years. Up until age 86, Frank was pretty much in control. But then he was diagnosed with cancer. The

08/03/2023

Today's Wall Street Journal (WSJ) had an article regarding newly hired workers being unprepared for "working" (my emphasis). From basics like being able to count change and looking customers in the eye to even being engaged while shoppers are in the store (they write an example of someone sitting down and reading a book while a shopper is present). The article highlights college graduate-level jobs as well: a newly hired mechanical engineer not being able to do a physical activity that should have been learned in college (because of distance learning, it was taught as theory instead of hands-on).

The cynic in me can go straight to the thoughts of poking fun and/or being upset for poor customer service nowadays (believe me, I do complain to my wife from time to time). But my other thought is that if we (parents, grandparents, mentors, etc of the younger generation) take the initiative to instill the characteristics we have ingrained in us (dedication, perseverance, willingness to do the unglamorous, etc...) in the younger ones we care about and interact with, they will have a HUGE leg up on their peers. I'm going to claim in all generality here, but it may be the easiest time in my lifetime to stand out from the competition. It actually makes me very optimistic for my daughter.... ok, she is 9 years old, but I am always trying to think in terms of the long game for her.

I think today that if she was entering the workforce, she would be able to dominate. Clearly I cannot know this for fact, but I do know some clients that have kids just like this and they are reporting the same: their hard-working, initiative-taking young adult stands out at work... just for doing what the parents perceive as "normal."

Remote learning during the pandemic left students short of basic skills. Now companies are trying to teach them on the job.

05/05/2023

Each year I co-host an event prior to the Berkshire Annual Meeting. This year was a success (we underestimated the turnout and ran out of food... twice!). It was fun to meet new people and reconnect with old friends.