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
Understanding the Alternate Valuation Date
Executors can value the estate on the date of death, or on its six-month anniversary —the “Alternate Valuation Date."
Raising Healthy Children
Healthy habits are one of the greatest gifts to give your child.
How Income Taxes Work
A quick look at how federal income taxes work.
Understanding Homeowner’s Insurance
Purchasing homeowners insurance is critical for protecting your home.
Problems with Probate
Probate can be a completely public process, or it can be managed to include as little information as possible.
Creative Ways to Motivate Your Employees
Five creative (and inexpensive) ideas for motivating your employees.
Understanding the Alternate Valuation Date
Executors can value the estate on the date of death, or on its six-month anniversary —the “Alternate Valuation Date."
The History of Currency
Currency has been around for a long time. Here’s a quick history lesson.
A Taxing Story: Capital Gains and Losses
Understanding how capital gains are taxed may help you refine your investment strategies.
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What Is the Dividend Yield?
This calculator helps determine your pre-tax and after-tax dividend yield on a particular stock.
A Look at Systematic Withdrawals
This calculator may help you estimate how long funds may last given regular withdrawals.
Saving for Retirement
This calculator can help you estimate how much you may need to save for retirement.
Comparing Mortgage Terms
Estimate the total cost in today's dollars of various mortgage alternatives.
What Is My Current Cash Flow?
Assess whether you are running “in the black” or “in the red” each month.
Should I Buy or Lease an Auto?
This calculator compares the financial impact of leasing versus buying an automobile.
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An Inside Look at Retirement Living
A number of questions and concerns need to be addressed to help you better prepare for retirement living.
Protecting Those Who Matter Most
The importance of life insurance, how it works, and how much coverage you need.
Your Cash Flow Statement
A presentation about managing money: using it, saving it, and even getting credit.
Managing Your Lifestyle
Using smart management to get more of what you want and free up assets to invest.
5 Smart Investing Principles
Principles that can help create a portfolio designed to pursue investment goals.
Principles of Preserving Wealth
How federal estate taxes work, plus estate management documents and tactics.
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A Fruitful Retirement: Social Security Benefit
Taking your Social Security benefits at the right time may help maximize your benefit.
Can Election Results Predict the Market?
How do the markets usually react to elections? Was the 2016 election any different?
The Cycle of Investing
Understanding the cycle of investing may help you avoid easy pitfalls.
Forecast
The market is as unpredictable as the weather. We’d love to help you prepare.
To Buy or Not to Buy
The decision whether to buy or rent a home may have long-term implications.
Emerging Market Opportunities
What are your options for investing in emerging markets?