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
Long-Term-Care Needs
Determine your potential long-term care needs and how long your current assets might last.
Getting a Head Start on College Savings
A few strategies that may help you prepare for the cost of higher education.
Social Security Taxes
Estimate how much of your Social Security benefit may be considered taxable.
Are You Ready for Your Portfolio to Make a Difference?
Learn about the rise of Impact Investing and how it may benefit you.
Understanding the Alternate Valuation Date
Executors can value the estate on the date of death, or on its six-month anniversary —the “Alternate Valuation Date."
How the Federal Reserve Works
Each day, the Fed is behind the scenes supporting the economy and providing services to the U.S. financial system.
Four Reasons Millennials Need an Estate Strategy
Estate strategies for millennials may sound like less of a concern than retirement, but young adults should prepare now.
Estimating the Cost of College
This worksheet can help you estimate the costs of a four-year college program.
When to Self-Insure
Choosing to bear the financial burden of an adverse event is called self-insuring. Do you know what that entails?
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Impact of Taxes and Inflation
Estimate the potential impact taxes and inflation can have on the purchasing power of an investment.
Historical Inflation
This calculator shows how inflation over the years has impacted purchasing power.
My Retirement Savings
Estimate how long your retirement savings may last using various monthly cash flow rates.
What Is the Dividend Yield?
This calculator helps determine your pre-tax and after-tax dividend yield on a particular stock.
Contributing to an IRA?
Determine if you are eligible to contribute to a traditional or Roth IRA.
What Is My Current Cash Flow?
Assess whether you are running “in the black” or “in the red” each month.
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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.
Your Cash Flow Statement
A presentation about managing money: using it, saving it, and even getting credit.
Managing Your Lifestyle
Using smart management to get more of what you want and free up assets to invest.
Long-Term-Care Protection Strategies
The chances of needing long-term care, its cost, and strategies for covering that cost.
5 Smart Investing Principles
Principles that can help create a portfolio designed to pursue investment goals.
Principles of Preserving Wealth
How federal estate taxes work, plus estate management documents and tactics.
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The Power of Tax-Deferred Growth
Why are 401(k) plans, annuities, and IRAs so popular?
Charitable Giving: Smart from the Heart
Do you have causes that you want to support with donations?
Finding the Balance
The sandwich generation faces unique challenges. For many, meeting needs is a matter of finding a balance.
To Buy or Not to Buy
The decision whether to buy or rent a home may have long-term implications.
Investments
You’ve made investments your whole life. Work with us to help make the most of them.
Encore Careers: Push Your Boundaries
Ready for retirement? Find out why many are considering encore careers and push your boundaries into something more, here.