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
Saving for Retirement
This calculator can help you estimate how much you may need to save for retirement.
Volunteering in Retirement
For many, retirement includes contributing their time and talents to an organization in need.
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.
Strategies For Managing Student Loan Debt
Five strategies for managing your student debt.
The Ivory Tower Changes Wall Street
Thanks to the work of three economists, we have a better understanding of what determines an asset’s price.
Changing Unhealthy Behaviors
Five phases to changing unhealthy behaviors.
Yours, Mine, and Ours: Estate Strategies for Second Marriage
Second marriages are a trigger event to revisit any existing estate strategies.
Social Security: Maximizing Benefits
There are other ways to maximize Social Security benefits, in addition to waiting to claim them.
Countdown to College
Preparing for college means setting goals, staying focused, and tackling a few key milestones along the way.
View all articles 
Capital Gains Tax Estimator
Use this calculator to estimate your capital gains tax.
What Is the Dividend Yield?
This calculator helps determine your pre-tax and after-tax dividend yield on a particular stock.
How Much Home Can I Afford?
With a few simple inputs you can estimate how much of a mortgage you may be able to obtain.
What Is My Life Expectancy?
Estimate how many years you may need retirement assets or how long to provide income to a surviving spouse or children.
Federal Income Tax
Use this calculator to estimate your income tax liability along with average and marginal tax rates.
Saving for Retirement
This calculator can help you estimate how much you may need to save for retirement.
View all calculators
Investment Strategies for Retirement
Investment tools and strategies that can enable you to pursue your retirement goals.
Long-Term-Care Protection Strategies
The chances of needing long-term care, its cost, and strategies for covering that cost.
5 Smart Investing Principles
Principles that can help create a portfolio designed to pursue investment 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.
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.
View all presentations
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.
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?”
Jane Bond: Scaling the Ladder
Agent Jane Bond is on the case, uncovering the mystery of bond laddering.
Global and International Funds
Investors seeking world investments can choose between global and international funds. What's the difference?
The Other Sure Thing
Though we don’t like to think about it, all of us will make an exit sometime. Are you prepared?
16 Wall Street Cliches in 60 Seconds
Pundits say a lot of things about the markets. Let's see if you can keep up.