Fee-only financial planning - Chladek Wealth Management

The Social Security Administration Announced 2023 COLA Updates. How Does It Impact You?

John Chladek2022-11-02T01:25:05+00:00November 15, 2022|Blog, Retirement, Trending Topics|

On Thursday, October 13, 2022, the Social Security Administration (SSA) released important updates for 2023, including cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) for retirees, changes to Medicare premiums, and retiree earning limits. Are you wondering how these adjustments affect your wallet? Let’s dive into what you need to know about the critical changes ahead. 1. Thanks To COLA, SSA Benefits Are Increasing The adjustments stem from the 2023 Social Security Administration Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA). COLA aims to ensure [...]

10 Expenses Homebuyers Forget About

John Chladek2022-06-01T19:46:33+00:00June 22, 2022|Blog, Family Financial Information, Real Estate|

Buying a house is an exciting journey, but it can also be stressful (and costly), especially if you walk into the process unprepared, something far too many people do. In fact, over a third of home buyers said they underestimated the total costs of homeownership. Sure, the price tag may be the biggest cost up-front—but the sale’s price is just one expense homebuyers must consider. Beyond mortgage and insurance, there are additional costs all new [...]

The 7 Most Common Errors On Your 2021 Tax Return and How to Avoid Them

John Chladek2022-02-16T16:18:59+00:00February 16, 2022|Blog, Taxes|

The dawn of 2022 brings opportunities to create new resolutions and financial goals—and it also marks the beginning of tax season. While tax day on April 18th can seem far away, this year’s deadline will be here before you know it. As you start gathering your tax documents and completing your return, we've compiled a list of the most common filing errors to look out for and avoid. Whether you hire a professional or go [...]

Say Goodbye To The EFC and Hello To Its Replacement, Student Aid Index

John Chladek2022-02-01T22:23:33+00:00February 15, 2022|Blog, College Planning|

Applying for college is a daunting task, and figuring out how you will pay for it can be downright confusing. Your mind is likely spinning with questions like, How much does it actually cost? What do I currently have saved up? How will my income impact financial aid? Will my child be eligible for any scholarships or grants? Will they need to take out federal loans? The government is changing how you calculate your child’s [...]

Top Tips to Walk Into 2022 With Confidence and Purpose

John Chladek2022-01-07T13:58:55+00:00December 1, 2021|Blog, Family Financial Information, General Financial Planning, Lifestyle|

With 2022 just around the corner, thoughts of New Year’s resolutions begin to swirl across the country. Among the expected career and health goals, many individuals will resolve to improve their money management skills in the upcoming year. As the importance of financial education steadily grows, there’s no better time to start making deliberate and informed decisions about your finances than right now. But what decisions should you take into account? How will the current [...]

Roth IRAs Aren’t Just for Retirement, They Can Boost Your College Fund, Too

John Chladek2022-01-07T14:00:31+00:00October 15, 2021|Blog, College Planning, Family Financial Information|

A Roth IRA for college planning can be an important strategy to help foot the education bill. When you think about saving for college, what’s the first thing that comes to mind (besides worrying that you’ll have enough)? The answer is likely 529 plans, as these are the most commonly discussed vehicles concerning college savings. But there are several other options to consider, like Roth IRAs. Although Roth IRAs are primarily known for retirement savings, [...]

What Do Golden Birches and Financial Planning Share? Chladek Wealth’s Brand Story

John Chladek2021-07-01T13:54:14+00:00June 1, 2021|Blog, General Financial Planning|

"Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago." Warren Buffett. These powerful words beautifully articulate the true essence of financial planning—time. It takes time to build wealth and use it to fulfill your goals and dreams. Financial plans aren't built and accomplished in a day. Think about it like this; you can’t save for retirement in a year—it takes decades. Instead, true financial planning is about creating [...]

Checklist For Year-End Planning

John Chladek2021-06-08T12:27:14+00:00December 8, 2020|Blog, General Financial Planning, Taxes|

Looking to year end I know it’s a busy time. But it’s not too soon to start thinking about taxes. Many questions about the new administration have come my way, including questions about new tax proposals. Joe Biden’s plan is aggressive, but it may not get out of the starting gate if the Republicans hold the Senate. As you probably know, two early January runoffs in Georgia will determine the fate of the upper chamber. [...]

With COVID-19 Concerns, Cyber Monday Will Be Crucial For Holiday Shoppers. As You Shop, Keep These 7 Cybersecurity Tips in Mind

John Chladek2021-06-07T14:07:54+00:00November 17, 2020|Blog, Holiday, Lifestyle|

According to a recent survey, 87 percent of U.S. adults feel that the risk of becoming a victim of a cybercrime is growing.1 In fact, online crimes including server breaches are the single largest criminal threat facing small businesses. For large and small businesses alike, it should come as no surprise that more Americans have been shopping online due to the COVID-19 pandemic - and this trend will likely continue until the pandemic subsides. In fact, [...]

Election 2020 – Where Do We Go From Here?

John Chladek2021-06-07T14:07:24+00:00November 10, 2020|Blog, Investments, Trending Topics|

For the nation, 2020 has been one of the most difficult years in memory. We are grappling with Covid and its fallout, economic upheaval, racial tensions, wildfires, hurricanes, a presidential election, and a polarized electorate. Despite this year’s difficulties, a strong economic recovery, record low interest rates, and an aggressive stance by the Federal Reserve have helped the major market indexes rebound from March’s steep sell-off. But where do we go from here? What’s in [...]

12 Next