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
How Income Taxes Work
A quick look at how federal income taxes work.
Asset Allocation
Consider how your assets are allocated and if that allocation is consistent with your time frame and risk tolerance.
Four Great, Unexpected Places to Raise a Family
Here are 4 great, and sometimes unexpected, places to raise a family.
Putting a Price Tag On Your Health
Being healthy not only makes you feel good, it may also help you financially.
Trends in Charitable Giving
Some people may want a more advanced gifting strategy that can maximize their gift and generate potential tax benefits.
What the New Tax Bill Means for You
What does the Tax Reform and Jobs Act mean for you?
Social Security Benefits: How Much Will I Receive
Calculating your potential Social Security benefit is a three-step process.
Does Your Credit Score Affect Your Insurance Rates?
Your credit score may influence how much you pay for auto and home insurance.
The New Red Scare: Chinese Ownership of U.S. Debt
China owns a portion of the total outstanding debt of the U.S. Government. What does it mean?
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Doubling Your Money
This calculator demonstrates the power of compound interest.
Social Security Taxes
Estimate how much of your Social Security benefit may be considered taxable.
Should I Buy or Lease an Auto?
This calculator compares the financial impact of leasing versus buying an automobile.
Inflation & Retirement
Estimate how much income may be needed at retirement to maintain your standard of living.
Home Mortgage Deduction
Use this calculator to assess the potential benefits of a home mortgage deduction.
Saving for College
This calculator can help you estimate how much you should be saving for college.
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Long-Term-Care Protection Strategies
The chances of needing long-term care, its cost, and strategies for covering that cost.
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.
Managing Your Lifestyle
Using smart management to get more of what you want and free up assets to invest.
Tax Management Strategies
Learn more about taxes, tax-favored investing, and tax strategies.
Principles of Preserving Wealth
How federal estate taxes work, plus estate management documents and tactics.
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Bursting the Bubble
Tulips were the first, but they won’t be the last. What forms a “bubble” and what causes them to burst?
The Rule of 72
Do you know how long it may take for your investments to double in value? The Rule of 72 is a quick way to figure it out.
Suddenly Single: 3 Steps to Take Now
Have you found yourself suddenly single? Here are 3 steps to take right now.
Should You Invest in Exchange Traded Funds?
There are hundreds of ETFs available. Should you invest in them?
The Real Cost of a Vacation Home
What if instead of buying that vacation home, you invested the money?
RE: Retirement
How does your ideal retirement differ from reality, and what can we do to better align the two?