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
Problems with Probate
Probate can be a completely public process, or it can be managed to include as little information as possible.
Countdown to College
Preparing for college means setting goals, staying focused, and tackling a few key milestones along the way.
A Living Trust Primer
Living trusts are popular, but their appropriateness will depend upon your individual needs and objectives.
A Look at Whole Life Insurance
Whole life insurance remains in force as long as you remain current with premiums. Here's how it works.
Pickleball in Retirement
Learn about the latest sport to sweep the nation with this informative article.
Questions to Ask About Medicare
Take the guesswork out of your IEP or SEP with this helpful article.
When Should You Take Social Security
Monthly Social Security payments differ substantially depending on when you start receiving benefits.
An Overview of Renter’s Insurance
Don’t overlook the need for renter’s insurance if you rent your home.
Retiree Health Care Coverage Overseas
Retirees traveling abroad need to know that their health insurance travels with them.
View all articles 
Assess Your Life Insurance Needs
This calculator estimates how much life insurance you would need to meet your family's needs if you were to die prematurely.
What Is the Dividend Yield?
This calculator helps determine your pre-tax and after-tax dividend yield on a particular stock.
What Is My Current Cash Flow?
Assess whether you are running “in the black” or “in the red” each month.
Estimate Your RMD
Help determine the required minimum distribution from an IRA or other qualified retirement plan.
Inflation & Retirement
Estimate how much income may be needed at retirement to maintain your standard of living.
Interested in a Fuel Efficient Car?
Estimate how many months it may take to recover the out-of-pocket costs when buying a more efficient vehicle.
View all calculators
Your Cash Flow Statement
A presentation about managing money: using it, saving it, and even getting credit.
Protecting Those Who Matter Most
The importance of life insurance, how it works, and how much coverage you need.
5 Smart Investing Strategies
There are some smart strategies that may help you pursue your investment objectives
Principles of Preserving Wealth
How federal estate taxes work, plus estate management documents and tactics.
5 Smart Investing Principles
Principles that can help create a portfolio designed to pursue investment goals.
Managing Your Lifestyle
Using smart management to get more of what you want and free up assets to invest.
View all presentations
The Business Cycle
How will you weather the ups and downs of the business cycle?
Suddenly Single: 3 Steps to Take Now
Have you found yourself suddenly single? Here are 3 steps to take right now.
What Can a Million Dollars Buy You?
$1 million in a diversified portfolio could help finance part of your retirement.
Global and International Funds
Investors seeking world investments can choose between global and international funds. What's the difference?
From Boats to Brokers
From the Dutch East India Company to Wall Street, the stock market has a long and storied history.
The Fed and How It Got That Way
Here is a quick history of the Federal Reserve and an overview of what it does.