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
Disability Income
This calculator estimates your chances of becoming disabled and your potential need for disability insurance.
Rightsizing for Retirement
What does your home really cost?
Teen Drinking and Your Liability
Drinking may be a “rite of passage” for teens, but when it occurs in your home you may be held responsible for their actions.
Keeping Good Records is Good Business
Maintaining good records for your business not only helps to meet your tax and legal obligations, but it can save you money.
Social Security: Maximizing Benefits
There are other ways to maximize Social Security benefits, in addition to waiting to claim them.
Data Thieves from Outer Space
Learn about the dangers of internet fraud with this highly educational and fun “pulp” comic.
Estimating the Cost of College
This worksheet can help you estimate the costs of a four-year college program.
How to Invest in LGBTQ+ Friendly Companies
This article allows those who support LGBTQ+ interests to explore the possibilities of Socially Responsible Investing.
A Bucket Plan to Go with Your Bucket List
Longer, healthier living can put greater stress on retirement assets; the bucket approach may be one answer.
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Potential Income from an IRA
Estimate your monthly and annual income from various IRA types.
Paying Off a Credit Card
Enter various payment options and determine how long it may take to pay off a credit card.
Bi-Weekly Payments
This calculator estimates the savings from paying a mortgage bi-weekly instead of monthly.
Saving for College
This calculator can help you estimate how much you should be saving for college.
Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings
Use this calculator to compare the future value of investments with different tax consequences.
What Is the Dividend Yield?
This calculator helps determine your pre-tax and after-tax dividend yield on a particular stock.
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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.
Managing Your Lifestyle
Using smart management to get more of what you want and free up assets to invest.
Investment Strategies for Retirement
Investment tools and strategies that can enable you to pursue your retirement goals.
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
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Working With A Financial Professional
A financial professional is an invaluable resource to help you untangle the complexities of whatever life throws at you.
Dog Bites and Homeowners Insurance
Reviewing coverage options is just one thing responsible pet parents can do to help look out for their dogs.
Acres of Diamonds
In life it often happens that the answers to our most pressing questions are right in our own backyards.
16 Wall Street Cliches in 60 Seconds
Pundits say a lot of things about the markets. Let's see if you can keep up.
Coaches
Coaches have helped you your whole life, in ways big and small. We'd like to be one of them.
Finding the Balance
The sandwich generation faces unique challenges. For many, meeting needs is a matter of finding a balance.