Category: Financial Planning

Going through a divorce can be a very stressful and life-changing time. There are many aspects individuals must consider when a rental property is involved in a divorce. We are here to guide you through some of those considerations. The initial questions that must be answered include: If the Property is Currently Rented One option for the parties to consider if the property has positive cash flow (income) is to continue maintaining the property as rental property until the tenant’s… Read more ›

May Barnhard Investments (MBI), the wealth management subsidiary of Councilor, Buchanan & Mitchell, celebrated its 10th anniversary on Wednesday, October 11, at the Marriott Bethesda Downtown at Marriott HQ in Bethesda, Maryland. The MBI team celebrated in an intimate gathering alongside several clients and CBM partners for hors d’oeuvres and conversation. Click here to view photos from the celebration.

  There’s often a perception that financial expert witnesses are biased in favor of their clients’ financial interests. In reality, credentialed professionals must adhere to various ethical standards that require them to be independent and objective when serving as an expert witness in a litigation matter. But sometimes experts aren’t given all of the relevant information, or they may hear only their client’s interpretation of financial results, which could skew their conclusions. When this happens, the parties’ experts are likely… Read more ›

  For many people, getting better at budgeting is near the top of their to-do list. However, developing and sticking to a budget isn’t always a simple task. Creating complicated spreadsheets, learning budgeting software and dealing with spending restrictions — all of these things can end up derailing even the most dedicated budgeter. Here’s a synopsis of a simple — but effective — approach to budgeting. The Mechanics Start by splitting your monthly income into three simple “buckets” or budget… Read more ›

  From high prices and interest rates to increased demand, now is a particularly challenging time to buy a home. But with no idea what the market could do next, becoming financially prepared to buy a home moves you one step closer to making it happen. In this how-to, we’ll walk you through the essential steps to financially prepare for this large purchase, even in the current housing market. Before Looking at a House Assess Your Current Financial Situation Before… Read more ›

While the value of virtual currency continues to fluctuate, the IRS’s interest in it has only increased. In 2021, for example, the agency launched Operation Hidden Treasure to root out taxpayers who don’t report income from cryptocurrency transactions on their federal income tax returns. Moreover, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, allocated $80 billion to the IRS, most of it designated for enforcement activities. However, the Fiscal Responsibility Act, enacted in May 2023, will claw back $21.39 billion of that amount by the end… Read more ›

Recent reports have raised anew concerns about the impending insolvency of the Social Security program, absent congressional action. Social Security reform has long been considered a “third rail” of American politics and understandably so — the options for heading off insolvency will inevitably cause pain for significant segments of the population. Yet some in Congress have stepped forward with proposals that aim to tackle the problem. The Impending Shortfall Social Security currently provides benefits to more than 66 million recipients. The Congressional… Read more ›

Are you retiring soon? Unsure of if you will have enough money to get by? Social Security is supposed to give you financial support when you are no longer earning an income of your own but its process can be confusing. If you’ve already started your benefits or found you have made a mistake, these solutions may help. Taxes and the age you start collecting Social Security benefits can all change how much you get from the government each month…. Read more ›

This blog discusses content from CBM’s Maximizing Social Security Benefits and Avoiding Mistakes webinar. To watch the webinar click here. Previous webinars can be found here. Like the content? Get alerts about future webinars here. Anyone who gets a paycheck knows that Social Security exists, by the little tax line. But do you know how it works? An important part of financial planning is knowing where your money is going and what you will get in return. This post discusses… Read more ›

This article appears in a longer, more detailed white paper with exclusive content focused on building a strong financial foundation for early career stage professionals. Download the white paper here. Manage Your Debt Not all debt is bad debt, especially if you have a low interest rate that’s helping you finance an asset and thus increasing your net worth. A mortgage is an example of what is typically considered a good debt. Student Debt If you have student debt, it’s… Read more ›