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
To Catch a Thief
Having your identity stolen may result in financial loss plus the cost of trying to restore your good name.
Travel, Without the Baggage
Tips to avoid checking in luggage on your next vacation.
Protecting Your Business from the Loss of a Key Person
Business owners may be able to protect themselves from the financial consequences of losing a key employee.
What If You Get Audited?
The chances of an IRS audit aren't that high. And being audited does not necessarily imply that the IRS suspects wrongdoing.
Money that Buys Good Health is Never Ill Spent
It's important to make sure your retirement strategy anticipates health-care expenses.
The Anatomy of an Index
The S&P 500 represents a large portion of the value of the U.S. equity market, it may be worth understanding.
Fallen Tree Damage—Who Pays?
Your liability for damages that occur when a tree on your property falls on your neighbor’s property is not clear cut.
Debt Stress
There’s a link between debt and stress.
Variable Universal Life Insurance
Variable Universal Life is permanent insurance in which the policyholder directs how premiums are invested.
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Saving for College
This calculator can help you estimate how much you should be saving for college.
Should I Pay Off Debt or Invest?
This calculator will help determine whether you should invest funds or pay down debt.
A Look at Systematic Withdrawals
This calculator may help you estimate how long funds may last given regular withdrawals.
Paying Off a Credit Card
Enter various payment options and determine how long it may take to pay off a credit card.
Comparing Mortgage Terms
Estimate the total cost in today's dollars of various mortgage alternatives.
Home Mortgage Deduction
Use this calculator to assess the potential benefits of a home mortgage deduction.
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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.
Long-Term-Care Protection Strategies
The chances of needing long-term care, its cost, and strategies for covering that cost.
Principles of Preserving Wealth
How federal estate taxes work, plus estate management documents and tactics.
Investment Strategies for Retirement
Investment tools and strategies that can enable you to pursue your retirement goals.
Your Cash Flow Statement
A presentation about managing money: using it, saving it, and even getting credit.
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Jane Bond: Decoding Diversification
Agent Jane Bond is on the case, discovering how bonds diversify a portfolio.
When Do You Need a Will?
When do you need a will? The answer is easy: Right Now.
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?”
Should I Invest in Gold?
Learning more about gold and its history may help you decide whether it has a place in your portfolio.
What Can a Million Dollars Buy You?
$1 million in a diversified portfolio could help finance part of your retirement.
Forecast
The market is as unpredictable as the weather. We’d love to help you prepare.