Understanding Today’s Financial Environment
Welcome, I’m Michael Hammen, a financial professional and owner of Advantage Financial & Tax Services in West Des Moines, IA. We understand that individuals and households face increasingly complex financial challenges as we navigate our way through life.
A few questions you may have. For example:
Are we saving enough for retirement? How does retirement savings impact my tax situation? How much can I save each year? What can I expect to receive at retirment in the form of income? How can I save on my income taxes each year? Can I save for my kids/grandkids college expenses? How much life insurance do I need? and other simular questions.
Our professionals have years of experience in financial services. We can help answer many of those questions, and assist you moving forward.
Helpful Content
Are Alternative Investments Right for You?
With alternative investments, it’s critical to sort through the complexity.
Do Your Kids Know The Value of a Silver Spoon?
You taught them how to read and how to ride a bike, but have you taught your children how to manage money?
“Dirty Dozen” Tax Scams to Watch For
Every year the IRS releases its list of tax scams, spotlighting some ways that people try to separate you from your money.
Changing Unhealthy Behaviors
Five phases to changing unhealthy behaviors.
Protecting Your Home Against Flood Loss
Protect yourself against the damage that your homeowners policy doesn’t cover.
The Pre-Retirement Checklist
This checklist can give you a quick snapshot of how prepared you are.
Understanding Long-Term Care
Understanding the types of long-term-care services—and what those services could cost—may be critical.
A Home Insurance Claim: To File Or Not To File
Learn when it may not make sense to file a claim on your home insurance.
Money Draining Food Myths
These food myths will really put a drain on your wallet.
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Roth 401(k) vs. Traditional 401(k)
This calculator compares employee contributions to a Roth 401(k) and a traditional 401(k).
Home Mortgage Deduction
Use this calculator to assess the potential benefits of a home mortgage deduction.
Historical Inflation
This calculator shows how inflation over the years has impacted purchasing power.
Contributing to an IRA?
Determine if you are eligible to contribute to a traditional or Roth IRA.
Self-Employed Retirement Plans
Estimate the maximum contribution amount for a Self-Employed 401(k), SIMPLE IRA, or SEP.
Federal Income Tax
Use this calculator to estimate your income tax liability along with average and marginal tax rates.
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An Inside Look at Retirement Living
A number of questions and concerns need to be addressed to help you better prepare for retirement living.
5 Smart Investing Strategies
There are some smart strategies that may help you pursue your investment objectives
Retirement Plan Distributions
There are a number of ways to withdraw money from a qualified retirement plan.
Investment Strategies for Retirement
Investment tools and strategies that can enable you to pursue your retirement goals.
Tax Management Strategies
Learn more about taxes, tax-favored investing, and tax strategies.
Your Cash Flow Statement
A presentation about managing money: using it, saving it, and even getting credit.
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Keeping Up with the Joneses
Lifestyle inflation can be the enemy of wealth building. What could happen if you invested instead of buying more stuff?
The Fed and How It Got That Way
Here is a quick history of the Federal Reserve and an overview of what it does.
Forecast
The market is as unpredictable as the weather. We’d love to help you prepare.
Safeguard Your Digital Estate
If you died, what would happen to your email archives, social profiles and online accounts?
2017 Year in Review
Take a look at this 2017 Market Recap.
The Good Ship IPO
The seas of the market are constantly shifting. Whether the good ship IPO can set sail may depend heavily on the tides.