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
Mastering Mobile Lingo
Can you keep up with your children’s mobile slang?
Your Emergency Fund: How Much Is Enough?
Having an emergency fund may help alleviate the stress and worry associated with a financial crisis.
When Do You Need a Will?
When do you need a will? The answer is easy: Right Now.
Your Changing Definition of Risk in Retirement
A change in your mindset during retirement may drive changes to your portfolio.
Trends in Charitable Giving
Some people may want a more advanced gifting strategy that can maximize their gift and generate potential tax benefits.
Does Your Portfolio Fit Your Retirement Lifestyle?
Lifestyle considerations in creating your retirement portfolio.
Gun Ownership and Your Homeowners Policy
Gun owners need to make sure that their homeowners policy covers the full value of their firearm(s) as personal liability.
Is Term Life Insurance for You?
Term insurance is the simplest form of life insurance. Here's how it works.
A Cheat Sheet for Sending Your Kid to College
Dropping off your son or daughter is loaded with emotions; here are a few tips for a smoother experience.
View all articles 
Capital Gains Tax Estimator
Use this calculator to estimate your capital gains tax.
Should I Pay Off Debt or Invest?
This calculator will help determine whether you should invest funds or pay down debt.
Disability Income
This calculator estimates your chances of becoming disabled and your potential need for disability insurance.
Comparing Mortgage Terms
Estimate the total cost in today's dollars of various mortgage alternatives.
What Is My Life Expectancy?
Estimate how many years you may need retirement assets or how long to provide income to a surviving spouse or children.
Contributing to an IRA?
Determine if you are eligible to contribute to a traditional or Roth IRA.
View all calculators
5 Smart Investing Strategies
There are some smart strategies that may help you pursue your investment objectives
Investment Strategies for Retirement
Investment tools and strategies that can enable you to pursue your retirement goals.
Principles of Preserving Wealth
How federal estate taxes work, plus estate management documents and tactics.
Retirement Plan Distributions
There are a number of ways to withdraw money from a qualified retirement plan.
Tax Management Strategies
Learn more about taxes, tax-favored investing, and tax strategies.
Protecting Those Who Matter Most
The importance of life insurance, how it works, and how much coverage you need.
View all presentations
Where Is the Market Headed?
We all know the stock market can be unpredictable. We all want to know, “What’s next for the financial markets?”
What Can a Million Dollars Buy You?
$1 million in a diversified portfolio could help finance part of your retirement.
The Business Cycle
How will you weather the ups and downs of the business cycle?
Should You Ever Retire?
A growing number of Americans are pushing back the age at which they plan to retire. Or deciding not to retire at all.
Safeguard Your Digital Estate
If you died, what would happen to your email archives, social profiles and online accounts?
The Fed and How It Got That Way
Here is a quick history of the Federal Reserve and an overview of what it does.