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
What the New Tax Bill Means for You
What does the Tax Reform and Jobs Act mean for you?
What Can a Million Dollars Buy You?
$1 million in a diversified portfolio could help finance part of your retirement.
When to Self-Insure
Choosing to bear the financial burden of an adverse event is called self-insuring. Do you know what that entails?
Is a SEP-IRA Right for Your Business?
For some, the idea of establishing a retirement strategy evokes worries about complicated reporting and administration.
Traditional vs. Roth IRA
One or the other? Perhaps both traditional and Roth IRAs can play a part in your retirement plans.
Term vs. Permanent Life Insurance
When considering life insurance, it's important to understand your options.
Estimating the Cost of College
This worksheet can help you estimate the costs of a four-year college program.
Teen Drinking and Your Liability
Drinking may be a “rite of passage” for teens, but when it occurs in your home you may be held responsible for their actions.
Creative Ways to Motivate Your Employees
Five creative (and inexpensive) ideas for motivating your employees.
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Long-Term-Care Needs
Determine your potential long-term care needs and how long your current assets might last.
What's My Potential Estate Tax?
This calculator helps estimate your federal estate tax liability.
A Look at Systematic Withdrawals
This calculator may help you estimate how long funds may last given regular withdrawals.
Saving for College
This calculator can help you estimate how much you should be saving for college.
How Much Home Can I Afford?
With a few simple inputs you can estimate how much of a mortgage you may be able to obtain.
Disability Income
This calculator estimates your chances of becoming disabled and your potential need for disability insurance.
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Your Cash Flow Statement
A presentation about managing money: using it, saving it, and even getting credit.
An Inside Look at Retirement Living
A number of questions and concerns need to be addressed to help you better prepare for retirement living.
Principles of Preserving Wealth
How federal estate taxes work, plus estate management documents and tactics.
Protecting Those Who Matter Most
The importance of life insurance, how it works, and how much coverage you need.
Retirement Plan Distributions
There are a number of ways to withdraw money from a qualified retirement plan.
5 Smart Investing Principles
Principles that can help create a portfolio designed to pursue investment goals.
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Suddenly Single: 3 Steps to Take Now
Have you found yourself suddenly single? Here are 3 steps to take right now.
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.
Should I Invest in Gold?
Learning more about gold and its history may help you decide whether it has a place in your portfolio.
Are Alternative Investments Right for You?
With alternative investments, it’s critical to sort through the complexity.
Saving for College 101
Here’s a crash course on saving for college.
When Do You Need a Will?
When do you need a will? The answer is easy: Right Now.