Steve A. Petranovich CPA PC Client Resource Center

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Ideas and topics on how to build your net worth. From money savings ideas to help you become a smarter investor.

Investing

Debt reduction may be your best investment

Investors are increasingly uneasy about the ups and downs of the stock market. If you're worried about your investments and want to reduce your debts, you're in luck. Debt reduction gives you a guaranteed rate of return often much higher than your savings and investment accounts. Read article

Understand the Time Value of Money

If you were offered the choice of being paid $100 today or $100 a year from now, you would probably choose $100 today. After all, even at today's low interest rates, your $100 might earn a small return over the next year. This simple example illustrates an important concept: that the value of money changes. Read article

Should You Invest in Rental Real Estate?

If you want to make a profit by investing in rental real estate, you must be willing to commit more resources than you might think. Here are some things to consider. Read article

Investing basics: Picking the right stocks

We have witnessed such volatile activity in the stock market in recent years that the old stock selection rules are not always applicable. Read article

DRIPs: Should you consider this investment technique?

Have you ever considered setting up a dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP)? Now may be the time to think about doing so. Current tax law makes these plans more appealing than ever. What is a DRIP? DRIPs allow you to build your portfolio by using all or part of your dividends to purchase additional shares... Read article

Investing basics: Know when to sell a stock

Selling a stock is an important decision - almost as important as the decision to buy. Unfortunately, while the world is full of buy recommendations, there is very little advice on when to sell. Here are some ideas to consider. Read article

The nine basic rules of investing

There is no magic to making money by investing. It requires discipline, determination, perseverance, and hard work. Here are some things to consider. Read article

Investing basics: Mutual funds

When you buy shares of a mutual fund, your money is pooled with other shareholders' money and invested in a portfolio of securities (stocks, bonds, etc.) It is the right investment for you? Read article

How to get an investment club off to a good start

While investment clubs provide an opportunity for friends or family to meet, learn about investments, and make money, it's best to treat a club as you would any other business relationship. Read article

Investing basics: Try dollar-cost averaging

The secret to success in the stock market is to buy low and sell high. Here's a technique that helps you take advantage of the risk of poorly timing your purchases into the market. Read article

Is myRA in Your Future?

Using his executive authority, the Treasury Department to begin developing a new retirement savings account option called myRA. Here is what you need to know. Read article

Wash Sales

If selling a stock or mutual fund to book a loss for your tax return, the Wash Sale rules are worth knowing. For the unaware, this rule could cost you your loss deduction. Read article

Applicable Federal Rates (AFRs)

The IRS often sees the transfer of funds as a loan, whether there is a loan agreement or not. This also means there is an implied term and interest payment. When the IRS says a transaction is a loan, what interest rate do they use? Enter AFRs. Here is what you need to know. Read article

Surprise! The Mutual Fund Tax Trap

Year end moves by mutual fund managers often cause tax obligations for their fund owners. These surprises come in the way of 1099 DIV and 1099 B tax forms. Here are some ideas to help manage the problem. Read article

Understanding Tax Terms: Basis

This commonly used tax term is anything but common to most of us. Knowing the basics of basis can serve to lower your tax obligation when you sell property. Read article

Money Saving Ideas

Debt reduction may be your best investment

Credit card debt may be hazardous to your financial health

Credit card debt can be a lot like fighting a fire breathing dragon. Here are some ideas to help slay yours. Read article

Look beyond the interest rate before you refinance

When you're thinking of refinancing your home mortgage, simply comparing interest rates is not enough. Here are some other factors to consider before you refinance. Read article

Postpone Taxes by Exchanging Property

The tax law provides a valuable tax-saving opportunity to business owners and real estate investors who want to sell property and acquire similar property at about the same time. Read article

Tips to Fund your Retirement Account

The IRS is raising 401(k) and IRA contributions limits by $500 for 2019. Here are some ways to help fund your retirement accounts. Read article

Tax tips for investors

Don't ignore the impact of taxes on your investments. While taxes should not drive your investment strategy, understanding how taxes affect your earnings will help you minimize taxes and maximize your return. Read article

Consider Donating Appreciated Stock & Mutual Funds

In some rare cases, making a tax savings move can benefit you in more than one way. This is the case with direct contribution of qualified investments, such as stock, owned more than one year that have appreciated in value. Read article

Take an IRA Deduction Now. Pay Later.

Want to reduce your taxable income using a tax deferred contribution to an IRA but don't have the funds to do so? If you expect a tax refund, here is a technique that may help. Read article

The Basics

Understand the Time Value of Money

Nine Basic Rules for Building a Nest Egg

Building a nest egg to give you a secure financial future doesn't require a degree in economics, just a degree of common sense. Here are nine great rules. Read article

Investing basics: Mutual funds

Don't overlook disability insurance

Say "insurance" to most people and auto, health, home, and life are the variants that spring to mind. But disability is a more common occurrence. Do you have the insurance you need? Read article

Check your credit report - it's free

You can check your credit rating from all three of the major credit reporting agencies for free to insure the accuracy of your report. Read article

Financial Basics: Calculate Your Net Worth

What are you worth? In financial terms it is your net worth. Here is how it is defined and how you can use this information to create a better financial future for yourself. Read article

2019 Social Security Changes Announced

The Social Security Administration recently announced their 2019 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) changes. Here is what you need to know. Read article

Financial basics: Buy the right insurance

Properly managed insurance needs can save you money. Here are some ideas. Read article

Everyone needs a financial plan

Often one person in the household manages the financial affairs. Unfortunately, that means one person will be left in the cold during a divorce or death. If this fits you or someone you know, think about spending some time understanding your financial situation. Here are some ideas. Read article

A collection of wealth improvement articles

Investing

Money Saving Ideas

The Basics

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