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Monday, December 11, 2023

Your Child is Turning 18: Handling Healthcare, Academics, and Finances Together As your child blows out the candles on their 18th birthday, you may still see your baby girl or boy. But in the eyes of the law your child is considered a...

Monday, December 4, 2023

As we get ready to turn the page on 2023 and welcome the new year with all its possibilities, we’d like to take some time to reflect on the year that was—the notable events, trends, and developments that defined our...

Monday, November 20, 2023

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or any other form of dementia, this can be an extremely challenging time. While promising new treatments are developing and research continues, a cure remains elusive....

Wednesday, November 8, 2023

Divorce is one of the most stressful life events. Even the most amicable splits can be complicated and emotionally draining. We likely all know couples who have gone through divorce, and it can be a trying time for everyone involved....

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

While we haven’t yet said goodbye to 2023, it’s not too early to begin thinking about any tax changes that may be on the horizon. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017 was designed to overhaul the federal tax code by...

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Tuesday, October 24, 2023

Many of us have adapted to a world with remote team members and back-to-back Zoom calls with customers spread across the country, which certainly has its benefits. Nevertheless, one drawback is the difficulty of getting together in...

Tuesday, October 17, 2023

SECURE 2.0: Changes Going Into Effect in 2024 Passed in 2019, the SECURE Act was the most substantial retirement legislation in over a decade. It contained important changes designed to help investors save more and be better prepared...

Tuesday, October 3, 2023

Time to Think About Year-End Financial Strategies As we roll into fall and the fourth quarter, now is a good time to pause and reflect on proactive ways to set up your finances for 2024. Economically speaking, we are now in a much...

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

While artificial intelligence (AI) is making headlines today, the concept of "thinking machines" can be traced back to ancient philosophers and mathematicians. The phrase artificial intelligence was first used in the mid-20th century,...

Tuesday, September 12, 2023

Social Security, the program you may have spent a lifetime paying into, is designed to offer stability, supplemental income, and other valuable benefits that can play a role in your overall financial strategy after you retire. We've...

Tuesday, September 5, 2023

If you ask the average investor which month is the most volatile for the stock market, they will probably say October. It's a reasonable answer, but it's incorrect. Despite October's reputation for market-defining events like the...

Tuesday, August 22, 2023

As financial professionals, we understand how vital it is to safeguard your personal and financial information. Unfortunately, in our increasingly digital world, cybersecurity risks, such as phishing attacks, have become a prevalent...

Monday, August 7, 2023

You’ve done a great job teaching your children vital life lessons and instilling values that will last a lifetime. As summer ends and a new school year begins, one thing that shouldn’t be overlooked, especially for...

Tuesday, August 1, 2023

Changes are coming to the complicated form that students must submit to qualify for college financial aid, known as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).The Department of Education is calling it the “most...

Tuesday, July 25, 2023

IntroductionOver the last several months, I have met with quite a few self-proclaimed do-it-yourself (DIY) investors who, after struggling with the markets in 2022, approached me asking for a second opinion. Interestingly, almost every...

Tuesday, July 11, 2023

Changes to 529 plans in the SECURE 2.0 ActThe SECURE Act was initially passed by Congress at the end of 2019 and was intended to improve retirement savings opportunities. It was a big deal at the time and the most significant piece of...

Friday, July 7, 2023

We would like to inform you about something that has been valuable to many of our clients. We call it a "family meeting."In such a meeting, our clients invite their family members to join us for a high-level overview of what we are...

Thursday, July 6, 2023

What if your child needs braces? The cost may be as much as $6,000 for metal braces—more modern versions can run as much as $13,000. Your health insurance may cover only a portion of the cost. If you're well past the braces stage...

Thursday, June 22, 2023

Getting your affairs in order and outlining what you want done with your estate after you’re gone is one of the greatest gifts you can leave your loved ones. However, not preparing for the transfer of your assets can lead to...

Wednesday, June 14, 2023

Senior care costs can be overwhelming, particularly when long-term care is required due to illness or medical conditions. With the number of seniors in the U.S. expected to rise exponentially by 2030, it's crucial to be prepared for...

Thursday, May 25, 2023

Estate management can be a complex and daunting task for many people, but it’s a critical step in helping your assets get managed and distributed according to your wishes.One popular tool that can be used in estate strategies is...

Thursday, May 11, 2023

Economies move in cycles – always have, always willThe Federal Reserve has been steadily increasing interest rates in an attempt to slow the rate of inflation. Its efforts are yielding some results, although inflation remains...

Friday, April 28, 2023

Fun fact: You probably have dozens of credit scores out there, and each one might be a different number.You’re probably familiar with a credit score, why it’s essential, and what it’s used for, but do you know how...

Monday, April 17, 2023

Discussing personal finances is important for any couple preparing for marriage. However, this topic can be more complicated for those who remarry later in life.If you’re remarrying later in life, one of your goals should be to...

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

As we get older, it’s important that our adult children are prepared to manage any aging-related situations that may arise. This includes everything from having to make medical and financial decisions to determining assisted...

Tuesday, March 21, 2023

Money with Murphy: Banking Crisis Deja Vu Kara draws on her experience as a bank analyst during the global financial crisis and reviews lessons learned 15 years ago and what makes this time different in this week’s...

Tuesday, March 14, 2023

Markets in a Minute: Is the Banking System at Risk?On March 10, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporate (FDIC) officially took over Silicon Valley Bank in order to protect depositors, marking a remarkably swift end to a bank that had...

Wednesday, March 8, 2023

You will need to think about the disposition of your assets at your death and any tax implications. Statistically speaking, women live longer than men.

Tuesday, March 7, 2023

Money With Murphy: China's ReopeningChina is finally reopening after years of rolling lockdowns.  What impact will this have on the global economy?What this week's Money with Murphy to get Kara's take.    https://vimeo...

Friday, March 3, 2023

Inflation is looking stubbornly persistent, and the economy is stronger than expected. How much longer can the Fed stick with its current plan of attack? Kara breaks down recent inflation stats and shares her outlook in this...

Wednesday, March 1, 2023

What is self-employment tax? If you are self-employed, you generally must file a Schedule SE, Form 1040, and pay an additional tax on your self-employment income.

Monday, February 6, 2023

As a woman, you have financial needs that are unique to your situation in life. Perhaps you would like to buy your first home. Maybe you need to start saving for your child's college education.

Wednesday, February 1, 2023

As a business owner, you should carefully consider the advantages of establishing an employer- sponsored retirement plan. Generally, you're allowed certain tax benefits for establishing an employer- sponsored retirement plan.

Wednesday, January 25, 2023

Join us in congratulating Frannie Gardner for making the Dallas 500 List!   

Monday, January 16, 2023

What is it?What is a financial affidavit and how is it used in a divorce context?When divorce proceedings are commenced, each spouse is required to fill out a financial affidavit.

Monday, January 9, 2023

What is tax planning for marriage and divorce?If you're married or considering a divorce, you should be aware of the income tax ramifications of the financial decisions you'll be making.

Tuesday, December 6, 2022

You may have heard that IRAs and employer-sponsored plans [e.g., 401(k)s] are the best ways to invest for retirement. That's true for many people, but what if you've maxed out your contributions to those accounts and want to save more?

Thursday, December 1, 2022

Your need for life insurance changes as your life changes. When you're young, you typically have less need for life insurance, but that changes as you take on more responsibility and your family grows.

Tuesday, November 8, 2022

What is the 3-6 months rule?The 3-6 months rule is a broad rule of thumb commonly used as the starting point for determining a cash reserve goal. The first question that typically arises is, three to six months of what?

Tuesday, November 1, 2022

To reduce your spending, you first need to know where your money goes. Start out by keeping track of all of your expenses for a month. None are too small or insignificant: the daily newspaper, coffee on the way to work, etc.

Monday, October 10, 2022

You want to retire comfortably when the time comes. You also  want to help your child go to college. So how do you juggle the two?

Monday, October 3, 2022

Ask your five-year old where money comes from, & the answer you'll probably get is "From a machine!" Even though children don't always understand where money really comes from, they realize at a young age that they can use it to buy things.

Friday, September 16, 2022

Oftentimes, in our discussions with parents, we find that many parents are simply unaware that they are not entitled to information regarding their adult child's medical information.

Thursday, September 8, 2022

Few terms in personal finance are as important, or used as frequently, as "risk." Nevertheless, few terms are as imprecisely defined.

Thursday, September 1, 2022

If you are self-employed or own a small business and you haven't established a retirement savings plan, what are you waiting for? A retirement plan can help you and your employees save for the future.

Monday, August 8, 2022

There's no doubt about it--owning a home is an exciting prospect. After all, you've always dreamed of having a place that you could truly call your own. But buying a home can be stressful.

Wednesday, August 3, 2022

Employer-sponsored qualified retirement plans such as 401(k)s are some of the most powerful retirement savings tools available. If your employer offers such a plan and you're not participating in it, you should be.

Monday, July 11, 2022

When you leave your employer, you have several options available to you for managing your retirement savings plan assets.

Wednesday, July 6, 2022

You're beginning to accumulate substantial wealth, but you worry about protecting it from future potential creditors.

Friday, June 10, 2022

The longer you live, the greater the chances you'll need some form of long-term care.

Friday, June 3, 2022

Taxation of Investments It's nice to own stocks, bonds, and other investments. Nice, that is, until it's time to fill out your federal income tax return. At that point, you may be left scratching your head.

Tuesday, May 17, 2022

A successful investor maximizes gain and minimizes loss.

Thursday, May 5, 2022

What is it? Determining your retirement income needs is a process that helps you identify your retirement planning needs based on your desired standard of living and the resources you'll have available.

Thursday, April 21, 2022

Trust Basics Whether you're seeking to manage your own assets, control how your assets are distributed after your death, or plan for incapacity, trusts can help you accomplish your estate planning goals.

Wednesday, April 6, 2022

Your net worth is your personal bottom line. It's what your total holdings are worth after subtracting all of your financial obligations. In financial terms, your net worth is equal to your total assets minus your total liabilities.

Wednesday, March 16, 2022

Answer: To answer this question, you must decide how your money can work best for you. Compare the money you might earn on other investments with the money you would pay on your debt.

Monday, March 14, 2022

Tuesday, March 8, 2022

Thursday, March 3, 2022

There's no way to know the answer to that without reviewing your individual circumstances and financial goals. However, if you are investing too conservatively, it can have a profound effect on your long-term financial security. How...

Tuesday, February 15, 2022

There is no easy answer to this question. Traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs share certain general characteristics.

Thursday, February 3, 2022

Tuesday, January 18, 2022

Thursday, January 13, 2022

Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Friday, November 19, 2021

Please join us in congratulating Frannie Gardner, Founder & Managing Partner of Gardner Wallace, on making D CEO Magazine's Dallas 500 List of the most influential business leaders in Dallas, Texas!

Friday, November 12, 2021

What are appropriate checklists for year-end tax planning? Tax planners often develop checklists to guide taxpayers toward year-end strategies that might help reduce taxes. Typically, suggestions are grouped into several different...

Thursday, November 4, 2021

Financial planning is the process that can help you pursue your goals by evaluating your whole financial picture, then outlining strategies that are tailored to your individual needs and available resources. Just as the success of a...

Friday, October 29, 2021

We're pleased to announce our 2021 recognition in D Magazine as "Best Financial Planners in Dallas"! Thank you to our clients, team, colleagues, and family for making this possible! The November issue hits newsstands this week (October...

Monday, October 25, 2021

It's the old catch-22. You cannot establish a credit history without having credit, and you cannot get credit without a credit history. But if you work at it, this problem can be overcome. While you create a history, be sure your...

Monday, October 18, 2021

After years of keeping the benchmark federal funds rate at historic lows, the Federal Reserve has been raising it gradually. Near-zero rates were an emergency measure, and gradual increases reflect greater confidence in the U.S....

Monday, September 13, 2021

If you're considering withdrawing money from your traditional IRA or Roth IRA to pay for college, you'll want to evaluate several factors: How many years you have until retirement Your retirement balances The amount of money you intend...

Thursday, September 9, 2021

Your gross estate for federal estate tax purposes includes: All property that you own at death (e.g., real estate, investments, business interests, personal property, mortgages held by you) Property you have given away while retaining...

Monday, August 16, 2021

What is a government bond fund? A government bond fund is a bond mutual fund that invests in debt instruments issued by the U.S. government and its agencies. The broad category of government securities includes U.S. Treasury...

Wednesday, August 11, 2021

Looking beyond U.S. borders In the past, American investors have focused largely on U.S. markets. However, that is rapidly changing. Although U.S. equities still represent the single largest segment of the global stock market, more...

Tuesday, July 27, 2021

Investors are often confused about the differences between growth stocks and value stocks. The main way in which they differ is how they are perceived by the market and, ultimately, the investor. Growth stocks are associated with...

Thursday, July 22, 2021

Keeping your cool can be hard to do when the market goes on one of its periodic roller-coaster rides. It's useful to have strategies in place that prepare you both financially and psychologically to handle market volatility. Here are...

Monday, June 21, 2021

It's generally a good idea to review your employer-sponsored retirement savings plan at least once each year and when major life changes occur. If you haven't given your plan a thorough review within the last 12 months, now may be a...

Monday, June 14, 2021

Getting Married Checklist General information Yes No N/A 1. Has relevant personal information been gathered? · Names, ages, health statuses · Dependents · Children from previous marriages 2. Has financial situation...

Wednesday, May 26, 2021

What is it? Marriage is an important step in anyone's life and brings many challenges with it. One of those challenges is the management of your finances as a couple. The money decisions that you make now as a couple can have a...

Friday, May 21, 2021

What is it? Marriage is a major life event that can change more than your last name or living situation. Your change in marital status can also alter the benefits you receive from your employer. When you marry, you and your spouse...

Thursday, May 20, 2021

It depends. If you are 59½ or older, you can take money from your traditional IRA without penalty. In contrast, if you withdraw from your IRA before age 59½, the taxable portion of your distribution may be subject to a...

Monday, May 17, 2021

What is it? Definition A prenuptial agreement (also known as a premarital agreement, antemarital agreement, or prenup) is a binding contract executed by prospective spouses to define the rights, duties, and obligations of the parties...

Friday, May 14, 2021

Planning for marriage should involve more than just picking out invitations and deciding whether you should serve chicken or fish at the reception. More importantly, you'll want to take a look at how marriage will impact your...

Thursday, May 6, 2021

You've identified your goals and done some basic research. You understand the difference between a stock and a bond. But how do you actually go about creating an investment portfolio? What specific investments are right for you? What...

Thursday, April 22, 2021

The longest bull market in history lasted almost 11 years before coronavirus fears and the realities of a seriously disrupted U.S. economy brought it to an end. If you are losing sleep over volatility driven by a cascade of...

Thursday, April 15, 2021

Do you ever wonder where your money goes each month? Does it seem like you're never able to get ahead? If so, you may want to establish a budget to help you keep track of how you spend your money and help you reach your financial goals...

Monday, March 22, 2021

In celebration of Woman's History Month, we asked the women of Gardner Wallace: "What do you enjoy most about working in the financial industry? Here's what they shared:

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

With age comes responsibility, so if you're a young adult in your 20s or 30s, chances are you've been introduced to the realities of adulthood. While you're excited by all the opportunities life has to offer, you're also aware of your...

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

Many IRA and retirement plan limits are indexed for inflation each year. While some of the limits remain unchanged for 2021, other key numbers have increased. IRA contribution limits The maximum amount you can contribute to a...

Monday, February 15, 2021

For many people, tax-advantaged investing is an excellent way to reduce their income tax liability. And while many of the traditional tax-advantaged strategies have been eliminated, there are still alternatives left that can help you...

Sunday, January 31, 2021

Gardner Wallace Financial Solutions has committed to providing 1,500 meals per month to families, children, and seniors in 2021. We are honored to help those in our community and we thank the North Texas Food Bank for their work.

Thursday, January 21, 2021

Tax information statements, which includes your 1099 forms, will be delivered as early as possible. Companies will begin mailing 1099 tax statements by January 31, 2021. Please be aware that some issuers do not make their final...

Wednesday, December 30, 2020

This excerpt was originally published December 23, 2020 from D CEO Magazine. View the original article here. It’s safe to say that we’re all ready to bid goodbye to 2020. The editors of D CEO recently checked in with area...