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
Countering Counterfeit Currency
Combating counterfeiting remains core to preserving the integrity of the nation’s money.
The Facts About Income Tax
Millions faithfully file their 1040 forms each April. But some things about federal income taxes may surprise you.
Perception vs. Reality
There’s an alarming difference between perception and reality for current and future retirees.
How Big is Money?
Learn a little about worldwide currency in this fun infographic
5 Benefits of Working in Retirement
Here are 5 reason why you may consider working through retirement.
Retiree Health Care Coverage Overseas
Retirees traveling abroad need to know that their health insurance travels with them.
Catch-Up Contributions
Workers 50+ may make contributions to their qualified retirement plans above the limits imposed on younger workers.
Social Security: Five Facts You Need to Know
Here are five facts about Social Security that are important to keep in mind.
The Utility of Sector Investing
Successful sector investing is dependent upon an accurate analysis about when to rotate in and out.
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A Look at Systematic Withdrawals
This calculator may help you estimate how long funds may last given regular withdrawals.
What Is My Current Cash Flow?
Assess whether you are running “in the black” or “in the red” each month.
Comparing Investments
This calculator compares the net gain of a taxable investment versus a tax-favored one.
Lifetime of Earnings
Estimate how much you have the potential to earn during your working years.
Inflation & Retirement
Estimate how much income may be needed at retirement to maintain your standard of living.
My Retirement Savings
Estimate how long your retirement savings may last using various monthly cash flow rates.
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Managing Your Lifestyle
Using smart management to get more of what you want and free up assets to invest.
Investment Strategies for Retirement
Investment tools and strategies that can enable you to pursue your retirement goals.
An Inside Look at Retirement Living
A number of questions and concerns need to be addressed to help you better prepare for retirement living.
Keys to Investing for Retirement
There are some key concepts to understand when investing for retirement
Tax Management Strategies
Learn more about taxes, tax-favored investing, and tax strategies.
5 Smart Investing Strategies
There are some smart strategies that may help you pursue your investment objectives
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The Cycle of Investing
Understanding the cycle of investing may help you avoid easy pitfalls.
Jane Bond: Scaling the Ladder
Agent Jane Bond is on the case, uncovering the mystery of bond laddering.
The Other Sure Thing
Though we don’t like to think about it, all of us will make an exit sometime. Are you prepared?
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?”
Can Election Results Predict the Market?
How do the markets usually react to elections? Was the 2016 election any different?
What Our Kids Can Teach us About Saving Money
Would you guess that Millennials are effectively saving for retirement? Well, they are.