Angelique Ayala, Financial Planner

05/16/2024

Feel like money conversations with family are taboo? Not anymore. Having these crucial talks will help build financial security for your loved ones. Check out 3 expert strategies for navigating these sensitive topics: https://bit.ly/4bDrwvp

Believe it or not, your teenagers want to hear what you have to say about money and your family’s financial decisions. But be willing to listen, too.

05/14/2024

Women face unique challenges when saving for retirement, including the gender pay gap, career breaks, and outliving men. Check out these tips you can take to empower yourself and build a bigger nest egg: https://bit.ly/4ae8mem

Pursuing financial literacy and taking advantage of savings opportunities, such as employer-offered 401(k)s, can give women saving for retirement a leg up.

05/07/2024

If your tax refund is MIA, don’t panic just yet. Check out these common reasons for delays, mistakes that might hold up your refund, and when and how to check in with the IRS: https://bit.ly/3Ux9HqO

Here are some reasons your tax refund may be delayed this year – and tips for what you can do if yours is late.

04/17/2024

If full retirement sounds like too much of a leap, you may want to consider a phased approach. Here’s a summary of the benefits of semi-retirement, and what factors to think about before you choose that option: https://bit.ly/4aYv7DR

A phased retirement has a lot to offer. But there are important financial factors to consider depending on your age and financial situation.

04/15/2024

Feeling generous? If you or your family members want to give a monetary gift to your children, there are many ways to do it. Keep these tips in mind for the most strategic and financially beneficial approaches: https://bit.ly/3TQ1dL9

The smartest gifting method will depend on factors like the purpose of the money and when you want your child to have access to it.

04/12/2024

If you’re getting ready to retire, you might be thinking about relaxation and vacation, but there’s something else to consider—tax strategy. Learn how withdrawals and Social Security timing can impact your IRS bill: https://bit.ly/3PXsqKW

Coming up with the best tax strategy in retirement can be much trickier than it seems, and tax pros agree that it is a time when people need to be especially careful.

02/05/2024

If you’ve started planning for retirement, you know that you can start collecting Social Security once you turn 62. But delaying until you reach your full retirement age or beyond can significantly increase the amount of your monthly check. Learn more: https://bit.ly/49leC3Y

Those who wait to claim benefits until age 70 can get a massive boost in retirement income.

12/14/2023

The Federal Reserve delivered good news in its meeting Wednesday, leaving interest rates unchanged and setting an expectation of rate cuts for next year. Learn more about the Fed’s decision: https://bit.ly/3uZfTiu

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday held its key interest rate steady for the third straight time and set the table for multiple cuts to come in 2024 and beyond.

12/12/2023

The U.S. jobless rate fell to 3.7% in November—the lowest level since July—as employers added 199,000 jobs. Find out more details from the latest Labor Department report: https://bit.ly/3v1XWj5

Employers added a better-than-expected 199,000 jobs in November, despite efforts to cool the economy.

12/11/2023

We wish you a happy holiday and a scam-free new year! Winter season shopping sprees have scammers working overtime, so check out these tips for protecting your cash and purchases from fraudsters: https://bit.ly/3GArNlb

Scammers make convincing ads that seem like they're from the real company by using the same name and logo.

12/07/2023

to our team gathering at our Houston office last month! It was great being together in person and seeing some of our clients. 😊

12/06/2023

Reaching age 50 is a milestone for many reasons. Regarding retirement, it’s time to assess your savings and determine if you need to start putting away more money. Here’s how much you should have saved, and how to prioritize savings at 50: https://bit.ly/3GrC9UL

As you approach retirement, it’s vital to know how much money you should have saved by 50 – and what you can do if you need to catch up.

11/21/2023

Protecting your accounts and personal information is important all year round, but as we embark on the holiday season, credit card scams are top of mind. Check out these tips for protecting yourself from credit card theft: https://bit.ly/3QHGGqH

Don't let a scammer get a hold of your credit card number. Here's how to keep your account secure.

11/17/2023

Do you know how your income affects your Medicare premiums? Understanding this relationship is key for retirement planning. Find out the 2023 income limits, and learn how you can strategize to lower your costs: https://bit.ly/3MKYVu3

Understanding your income and how it impacts your Medicare premiums is crucial for effective retirement planning. Your income can directly influence the cost of your Medicare premiums. By learning how to manage and potentially lower your income for premium calculations, as well as familiarizing your...

11/15/2023

A will is a key part of an estate plan, but there are other useful components to consider as well. To keep money in your family, protect assets from creditors, and/or minimize tax liabilities, an inheritance trust might be helpful. Learn the advantages: https://bit.ly/3ukYyA0

Inheritance trusts take on critical importance in wealth management, particularly for multi-generational families. The term might come across as complex but in essence, inheritance trusts involve safeguarding assets while managing their distribution efficiently. Moreover, they provide potential tax....

11/10/2023

What are the worst retirement mistakes—and how can you avoid them? If you’re part of the 69% who aren’t on a strong retirement track, you may still have time to adjust—but time is of the essence! Here’s info about 11 common mistakes: https://bit.ly/46WtYv4

Learn how you can avoid these 11 common financial mistakes with your retirement savings.

11/08/2023

Important dates you need to know to maximize your 401(k) contributions before the deadline—and how to plan for benefits and future contributions. What you need to know, now: https://bit.ly/47mPsRD

Year-end is the deadline for making max 401(k) contributions that can increase your savings for retirement and help lower your tax bill.

11/03/2023

Retirement accounts help set you up for a secure future and also lower your taxable income. Now there’s good news for those who have the flexibility to save even more—the IRS is raising annual contribution limits. Here are the details: https://bit.ly/3MmxYgk

The IRS will allow larger contributions to retirement accounts, citing the increased cost of living.

10/31/2023

Forget ghosts, ghouls, and goblins this Halloween—a more realistic fear for most Americans is financial fear. How can you ensure you have enough money to retire comfortably and afford long-term care, if necessary? Here’s how to fight those financial demons: https://bit.ly/477oJIw

Take a page from the heroes and heroines of scary movies and conquer the monsters that are keeping you from tackling your money fears.

10/27/2023

Are you confused about the laws regarding when you need to start taking required minimum distributions (RMDs) from your retirement plan? Since two recent laws changed the RMD rules, it makes sense that there’s a lack of clarity. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3MkkilN

Have an IRA or 401(k)? Here's what you need to know about required minimum distributions.

10/23/2023

The last thing you want to think about in retirement is what happens when your spouse dies, but it needs to be considered. Learn how Social Security survivor benefits work. https://bit.ly/3tx0THQ

Double dipping on benefits?

10/20/2023

Are you getting ready to wrap up your retirement savings for 2023? Check out the deadlines you need to know in order to avoid tax penalties and maximize the value of your savings: https://bit.ly/45CohAU

Try these year-end strategies to qualify for retirement savings tax breaks.

10/18/2023

Attention, Medicare beneficiaries! Open enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7. It’s a chance to review your current plan and choose the best one for 2024. Here’s all the information you need: https://bit.ly/3M6gJzs

Medicare’s open enrollment is an opportunity to review your current benefits and find a health plan and drug coverage that fits your medical, financial and personal needs.

10/16/2023

Our Horizon Advisory Group family just got back from Commonwealth’s annual conference. We listened to several great speakers, we learned a lot in our break out sessions and we enjoyed seeing/meeting other professionals in our industry. We can’t wait for next year’s conference!

10/10/2023

Are you stuck in the “Sandwich” Generation, supporting your children as well as your retired parents? Those in this position often find it difficult to save and are more likely to accumulate debt, but there are steps you can take to prepare. Learn more: https://bit.ly/45oSPWF

America's population is aging. At the same time, young adults are striving for financial independence. Caught between baby boomers -- approximately 8,000 Americans turn 65 daily -- and millennials and...

06/30/2023

Americans with student debt likely won’t be happy with the Supreme Court’s decision today to reject President Biden’s student loan relief plan. Learn more about the case and the ruling: https://bit.ly/3r71Gy6

The Supreme Court on Friday struck down President Biden's student loan forgiveness plan, denying millions of Americans up to $20,000 of debt relief.

06/16/2023

The Federal Reserve (Fed) opted to leave the benchmark interest rate the same on Wednesday at about 5.1%. Find out what Fed Chairman Powell said in his latest comments about inflation and future rate hikes: https://bit.ly/42GB2t0

The Fed’s move to leave its benchmark rate at about 5.1%, its highest level in 16 years, suggests that it believes the much higher borrowing rates it’s engineered have made some progress in taming inflation.

06/06/2023

Phew! The possibility of defaulting on the national debt was avoided on Saturday when President Biden signed a bill to suspend the debt ceiling until January 1, 2025. But what will the consequences be? Read about the potential downside: https://bit.ly/3WXhr6r

(Bloomberg) -- President Joe Biden’s signature of legislation suspending the federal debt ceiling has given the Treasury Department the green light to resume net new debt issuance after months of disruption.Most Read from BloombergMorgan Stanley Expects a Shock 16% US Profit Drop to Kill RallySEC ...

06/06/2023

Tip of the week! If you’re using apps like Venmo and PayPal to store money, or for direct deposit of your paychecks, you should reconsider. Those services, while convenient, do not insure funds in the same way banks do. Learn the risks: https://bit.ly/42iDV2U

Payment apps like PayPal and Venmo might be convenient, but they’re not banks — and a federal financial services watchdog is worried that too many consumers are treating them as such.

05/29/2023

Today, May 29, is recognized nationally as 529 Day, a chance to remind people of how important it is to plan for a loved one’s higher education costs and to raise awareness of the benefits 529 plans offer in helping individuals and families save. With the cost of higher education on the rise, Virginia529 is helping families take the first step toward saving for their children’s future. Through May 31, families can jumpstart their savings with the “Save $50, Get $50” offer! Follow the link below to learn more.
https://www.virginia529.com/blog/save-50-get-50-with-invest529/

Virginia529 is celebrating 529 Savings Day by offering an extra $50 when you open a new Invest529 account before May 30, 2023, fund it with at least $50 and establish a recurring contribution!