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TIPS for Retirees: A Guide to Inflation-Protected Securities

May 31, 2024

Discover how TIPS can protect retirees' investments against inflation, providing security and stability for your retirement portfolio.

Year-end Charitable Gifting Strategies

November 28, 2023

With the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) passed in late 2017, many things have changed about how to support charities in a tax-efficient manner. The days of writing checks on December 31st may no longer be the best option.

Why (and When) I’m Selling My I Bonds from April 2022

September 21, 2023

Back in April 2022, I was excited about I Bonds. And now I’m excited to sell them soon. Why?

How to maximize your after-tax yield on cash at Charles Schwab

September 12, 2023

If you’re holding a large amount of cash at Schwab, this article is for you.

Are you missing the tax deduction for U.S. obligation interest?

September 6, 2023

There is a deduction that I’ve seen missed a number of times, resulting in unnecessarily higher taxes: the deduction for U.S. obligation interest.

Goodbye iBonds?

April 20, 2023

With higher-than-normal inflation over the last two years, you may have read about an interesting investment opportunity that keeps pace with inflation: the iBond.

Lessons Learned from Losing a Loved One

January 26, 2023

Based on my experiences of personally losing clients, relatives, and most recently a sibling, there are a number of things you can do today to help ease the burden on those you will eventually leave behind.

SECURE ACT 2.0 for Retirees

January 11, 2023

While the changes resulting from the "SECURE Act 2.0" are many, there are a few key components that are relevant to individuals nearing or in retirement.

9 Questions To Ask A Flat Fee (or any!) Financial Advisor As You Near Retirement

December 12, 2022

Here is a list of the 9 best questions I have personally been asked over the years that I believe are important, along with comments and answers for my own firm...

Extension of the ACA “Subsidy Cliff?”

August 1, 2022

One of the biggest challenges with retiring before age 65 (Medicare eligibility) is navigating the complexities of health insurance coverage. In particular, trying to qualify for premium tax credits that help reduce the cost of health insurance purchased on the...

In the News: I Bonds

April 25, 2022

If you have not yet heard, there is an interesting investment option currently available that takes advantage of the high inflationary environment: Series I Savings Bonds (also known as "I Bonds"). Last week I was asked by the team at SoundDollar to write about I...

Health Insurance for Retirees before age 65

April 11, 2022

Last month I was invited to speak on Twitter with my friend Cody Garrett, a fellow CFP®, on The 7 Options for Health Coverage Before Medicare. Given that over 240 people listened, including many other financial planners, I realized how important of a topic this is for...

Extension of the ACA “Subsidy Cliff?”

August 1, 2022

Should you convert your traditional IRA to a Roth IRA?

October 25, 2021

With the potential tax law changes impacting some popular Roth conversion strategies beginning in 2022, many people are asking whether they should go ahead and convert some of their IRA assets to Roth IRAs before the end of the year. As in most things in...

Your Early Retirement Checklist

August 16, 2021

The path to early retirement can be simple: spend considerably less than you earn, invest wisely and let the magic of compounding do the hard work for you. But what happens once you reach your own financial independence (FI) goal? Over the past 13 years, I’ve...

Year-end Charitable Gifting Strategies

November 28, 2023

SECURE ACT 2.0 for Retirees

January 11, 2023

While the changes resulting from the "SECURE Act 2.0" are many, there are a few key components that are relevant to individuals nearing or in retirement.

9 Questions To Ask A Flat Fee (or any!) Financial Advisor As You Near Retirement

December 12, 2022

Here is a list of the 9 best questions I have personally been asked over the years that I believe are important, along with comments and answers for my own firm...

Need a new car? Now might actually be a good time to buy.

February 14, 2022

As the pandemic has impacted many parts of the economy, the one area I seem to hear a lot about lately is car prices. With used car prices up about 31% and new car prices up 11% in the last year, you may think I’m crazy to say right now might be a good time to buy....

Year-End Tax Planning Strategies for Individuals

December 7, 2021

Currently all the focus in the tax world is the potential “Build Back Better” bill being debated in Congress. But without knowing if or when the bill will be passed and what the final version will include, there are still a number of proactive...

Should you convert your traditional IRA to a Roth IRA?

October 25, 2021

Elimination of the ACA “Subsidy Cliff”?

September 30, 2021

As part of the recent tax proposals, one potential change that’s not getting much attention in the early retirement community is an elimination of the affordable care act (ACA) “subsidy cliff.” As I wrote back in June, previously there was an income limit based...

How to fully utilize a Donor-Advised Fund

September 8, 2021

An incredibly useful planning tool for charitable gifting is a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF). A DAF allows you to set aside funds for future charitable gifts while receiving a tax deduction now. Donor-Advised Funds are especially useful for charitably inclined individuals...

How to save $1 million completely tax free

September 2, 2021

My favorite retirement account is a Health Savings Account, or HSA. I know, I’m weird. But hear me out. An HSA is the best of both worlds. It has the benefits of an IRA (pre-tax funding) and a Roth IRA (tax-free withdrawals) as long as they’re used for health care...

Your Early Retirement Checklist

August 16, 2021

In the Media

March 31, 2022

Since launching our firm, Michael (Mike) Powers, a flat fee-only financial planner in Richmond, VA, has been fortunate enough to have been covered in the following media publications: CNBC – “4 tips for saving for retirement, according to a financial planner who helps...

How to Freeze Your Credit

December 28, 2021

One of the best ways to prevent someone from opening accounts in your name without your consent is to implement a credit freeze. This blocks access to your credit reports, so when an application is submitted for credit using your social security number, the potential...

What is Manuka? (mah-noo-kah)

May 28, 2021

Prior to having children, my wife, Kacie, and I loved to travel internationally. The last trip we took before our daughter was born was to Australia and New Zealand to visit my aunt and uncle. Manuka is the Maori name for a common tree in New Zealand which..

A Letter of Gratitude

May 10, 2021

Today is a special day. Manuka Financial, a firm created to balance my passion for helping others with my passion for family, is officially open for business. As I begin one of the most challenging endeavors of my career, I wanted to first pause and say...

Extension of the ACA “Subsidy Cliff?”

August 1, 2022

Health Insurance for Retirees before age 65

April 11, 2022

Elimination of the ACA “Subsidy Cliff”?

September 30, 2021

Solo Business Owners: How to qualify for health insurance tax credits while making over $400k per year

June 15, 2021

With the recent passage of the American Rescue Plan in March, many more Americans are now eligible for health insurance premium tax credit assistance, a tax credit that reduces your health insurance costs. Prior to the recent changes passed in March 2021, there was a...

Do you have sufficient property and casualty insurance coverage?

December 17, 2021

In our first video blog post, Lisa Fajgenbaum, Private Risk Advisor with USI Insurance Services, joins me to address a number of common questions I get asked when considering property and casualty (P & C) insurance. Lisa has helped a number of families I serve...

TIPS for Retirees: A Guide to Inflation-Protected Securities

May 31, 2024

Discover how TIPS can protect retirees' investments against inflation, providing security and stability for your retirement portfolio.

Why (and When) I’m Selling My I Bonds from April 2022

September 21, 2023

Back in April 2022, I was excited about I Bonds. And now I’m excited to sell them soon. Why?

How to maximize your after-tax yield on cash at Charles Schwab

September 12, 2023

If you’re holding a large amount of cash at Schwab, this article is for you.

Are you missing the tax deduction for U.S. obligation interest?

September 6, 2023

There is a deduction that I’ve seen missed a number of times, resulting in unnecessarily higher taxes: the deduction for U.S. obligation interest.

Goodbye iBonds?

April 20, 2023

With higher-than-normal inflation over the last two years, you may have read about an interesting investment opportunity that keeps pace with inflation: the iBond.

In the News: I Bonds

April 25, 2022

Q4 2021 Market Review

January 6, 2022

US and international developed stocks were up in the 4th quarter, while bond returns were flat. See how each asset class performed, including an article on "All-Time-High Anxiety" from Weston Wellington: Read More...

Q3 2021 Market Review

October 6, 2021

Global stock and bond markets were mostly flat in the third quarter, with the exception of emerging market stocks. See how each asset class performed below: Read More... Looking for a trusted partner to help you accomplish your financial goals? Reach...

Why I Switched to Flat Fees

September 15, 2021

As Manuka Financial continues to thrive, one thing that I always prioritize is putting the interests of my clients first. In that regard, there is a relatively new fee structure that I believe is at the leading edge of financial planning / advising: the fixed flat...

Q2 2021 Market Review

July 7, 2021

Stock and bond markets were up in the second quarter. See how each asset class performed, including a discussion on inflation from Nobel laureate Eugene Fama, below: Read More... Looking for a trusted partner to help you accomplish your financial goals? Reach...

Year-end Charitable Gifting Strategies

November 28, 2023

How to maximize your after-tax yield on cash at Charles Schwab

September 12, 2023

If you’re holding a large amount of cash at Schwab, this article is for you.

Are you missing the tax deduction for U.S. obligation interest?

September 6, 2023

There is a deduction that I’ve seen missed a number of times, resulting in unnecessarily higher taxes: the deduction for U.S. obligation interest.

SECURE ACT 2.0 for Retirees

January 11, 2023

While the changes resulting from the "SECURE Act 2.0" are many, there are a few key components that are relevant to individuals nearing or in retirement.

Extension of the ACA “Subsidy Cliff?”

August 1, 2022

Year-End Tax Planning Strategies for Individuals

December 7, 2021

Should you convert your traditional IRA to a Roth IRA?

October 25, 2021

Strategies to consider due to the recent tax law proposals

September 20, 2021

By now, you probably have heard that the House Ways & Means Committee released proposed changes to the tax code last week. If you’d like to read the full 881 pages, here is a link. For those of you who don’t have the time or desire to read all 881 pages, you may...

How to fully utilize a Donor-Advised Fund

September 8, 2021

How to save $1 million completely tax free

September 2, 2021

Financial Planning Using Your Tax Return

August 4, 2021

It’s no secret that taxes can play a large role in your ability to retire early and stay financially independent. But are you fully utilizing the available deductions, credits, and other tax planning strategies available to you? Here are some financial planning...

Solo Business Owners: How to qualify for health insurance tax credits while making over $400k per year

June 15, 2021

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