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Six Keys to More Successful Investing
A successful investor maximizes gain and minimizes loss.
Read MoreDetermining Your Retirement Income Needs
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.
Read MoreTrust Basics
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.
Read MoreBudgeting: Calculating Your Net Worth
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.
Read MoreShould I invest my extra cash or use it to pay off debt?
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.
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Gauging the Impact of Geopolitical Events on the Capital Markets [Report]
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Should I be investing more aggressively?
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...
Read MoreShould I invest in a Roth IRA or a traditional IRA?
There is no easy answer to this question. Traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs share certain general characteristics.
Read MoreFAFSA: How do I know if our family is eligible for federal financial aid?
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If I prepay next year's taxes this year, can I deduct them this year?
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DCEO Magazine Dallas 500 (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!
Read MoreAppropriate Checklists for Year-End Tax Planning
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...
Read MoreMembers of the Military: Personal Financial Planning
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...
Read MoreGardner Wallace Named "Best Financial Planners In Dallas"
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...
Read MoreHow can I get credit if I have no credit history?
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...
Read MoreWhat Rising Rates Could Mean for Your Money
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....
Read MoreShould I withdraw money from my IRA to pay for my child's college tuition?
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...
Read MoreWhat makes up my taxable estate?
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...
Read MoreGovernment Bond and Money Market Funds
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...
Read MoreInternational, Global, Regional, and Emerging Markets Funds
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...
Read MoreWhat is the difference between growth stocks and value stocks?
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...
Read MoreEleven Ways to Help Yourself Stay Sane in a Crazy Market
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...
Read MoreHave You Checked Your Retirement Plan Lately?
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...
Read MoreGetting Married Checklist
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...
Read MoreMoney Issues That Concern Married Couples
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...
Read MoreIntegrating Employee and Retirement Benefits When You Marry
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...
Read MoreCan I take money from my IRA without any penalty?
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...
Read MorePrenuptial Agreements
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...
Read MorePlanning for Marriage: Financial Tips for Women
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...
Read MoreCreating an Investment Portfolio
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...
Read MoreBear Markets Come and Go
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...
Read MoreEstablishing a Budget
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...
Read MoreWomen's History Month
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:
Read MoreFinancial Basics for Millennials
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...
Read MoreIRA and Retirement Plan Limits for 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...
Read MoreHow can I benefit from tax-advantaged investments?
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...
Read MorePractice Spotlight: North Texas Food Bank
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.
Read MoreImportant Information Regarding 1099s
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...
Read MoreIn The News: D CEO Magazine (Dec. 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...
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