Financial Literacy Presentations

Financial Literacy is a Must

To ensure a comfortable future we must all be financially literate. I do group presentations in less than an hour that can change lives.

A variety of topics can be selected including:

• Why should I join a 401k?
• What is a family financial plan?
• How can I start building some savings?
• What caused the real estate melt down?
• How to pay for college?
• Can I afford to retire?
• How can I help my kids or parents?
• How can I learn more and get financially literate?

The list can go on and on. The bottom line is that everyone needs to become aware of how a basic understanding of personal finance can affect their lives and the well being of their family’s.

Knowing all the answers is not possible; but knowing when to ask for help or where to find it absolutely possible.

In less than 60 minutes I can provide some basic tools to help those needing help get it. This is a great benefit to non-profits members and company employees.

Contact me for more information!

Reg Baker, CPA PFS
http://www.regbaker.com/
reg@regbaker.com

Reg Baker CPA Update

Hope everyone had a great 4th of July break!

For the next week or so I will be preparing to renew my securities licenses. Wish me luck!

Being securities licensed allows a higher level of service to clients that need this type of support.  Although many individuals already have an investment relationship there are times when a second opinion is needed or maybe even a change is necessary.  Please keep me in mind should either of these situations should present themselves.

Have a great week!

Reg Baker, CPA PFS

Investment Tax Rates Increasing

Tax Thunder Clouds Ahead!

Tax rate increases impacting investment activities will begin next year. Tax rate increases for income tax, dividends, capital gains all going up.

Consider taking capital gains now before increases take effect! Or take some capital losses now which will carry over to future years sheltering future investment capital gains.

With tax rates in the 40% range for some tax payers (and increasing) it is critical to always consider the tax impact on your investment returns.

Contact me if you need a second opinion!

Reg Baker, CPA PFS
http://www.regbaker.com/

Half Year Status

The year is half over. Are you on track with your family financial plan? Do you even have one? I can help!

Every family needs a Family Financial Plan. It acts as a road map to where you are headed. It incorporates all the significant events that may occur during your trip through life; from having children, buying a home, paying for college, taking care of parents and eventually retiring. Without planning for these events you may end up disappointed.

Whether you are just starting out or mid-career or contemplating retirement having a plan, setting goals and objectives and taking positive steps towards accomplishing your plan is essential. Will you achieve all your goals? Probably not, but by going through the planning process you and your family can get more realistic about the future and improve your chances of having a happy one.

Contact me to get the Family Financial Plan process started. Just one hour of you time that won't cost you anything can make a significant difference in your future!

Reg Baker, CPA PFS
http://www.regbaker.com/

Family Planning Question

Why do most families spend more time planning their vacations than their financial futures?

Incredible as this may seem, and I have heard this many times of the years, most families will put more time and effort into planning a vacation than they will their family's financial futures.

Is it because they are not comfortable with subject of family finance? Is it because they are afraid of the results (or lack of results) if they ever penciled out their financial futures?

Having a family financial plan (no matter how brief) is better than having no plan at all. No one ever started out having everything they needed or wanted. They needed to work towards their goals and objectives. Without a clear definition of what these goals and objectives are there is no target to aim for, nor direction or focus for your efforts.

A plan can be started very simply over a cup of coffee (or two) and a 60 minute discussion of options. Overtime, and a few more 60 minute meetings, a real family plan can take shape and develop into a very useful tool.

If you would like a free cup of coffee, with no pressure, to kick around some family planning ideas, let me know. I am always available for second opinions!

Reg Baker, CPA PFS

www.regbaker.com

Easy Money

Need Some Easy Money?

If you could just save $30 a week for 3 years at 3% you could have about $5,000!!

What would you do with an extra $5,000?  You could pay off your credit cards, save for college or maybe make a down payment on a condo.

Can you find $30 a week or just $4 a day?  Is that one Starbux run, an afternoon snack or maybe a desert?

Visit my web site at http://www.regbaker.com/, go to the Financial Tools section and use the Savings Calculator to play with different variables.  You would be amazed at how easy it is to save and how quickly it adds up!

Happy savings!

ROTH Conversions - BEWARE

Beware of ROTH Conversions!

If you are getting pressured to covert your IRA to a ROTH; be careful.  Do the math and ensure it makes sense for you.  This conversion opportunity is not for everyone.  The taxes that will be due, even if spread out over two years, may not fit into your overall financial plan.

Please get a second opinion from your CPA or another financial advisor.  Or call me and we can kick the idea around and see if it makes sense for you.


Reg Baker, CPA PFS
Ph: (702) 360-2823
Cell: (702) 283-0784
Email: Reg@regbaker.com
http://www.regbaker.com/
www.linkedin.com/in/regbaker

New Financial Literacy Links

Hello Everyone!

Wanted to let everyone know that I just added two more internet links for financial literacy on my website at http://www.regbaker.com/.  

Ths is really good information for all ages including teens and tweens.  It is never too early to start teaching the younger ones about how to handle money and plan for the future.

Please take a look.  I think you will be pleasantly surprised at what you find!

Warmest regards,

Reg Baker, CPA PFS
Ph: (702) 360-2823
Cell: (702) 283-0784
Email: Reg@regbaker.com
http://www.regbaker.com/
www.linkedin.com/in/regbaker

Reg Baker, CPA Named to AICPA PFS Task Force

I just wanted to share some great news!

I’ve just been named to a 13 member national task force to write the Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) Exam for the American Institute of CPA’s!

This will allow me to be actively involved in the PFS Exam process and work with other CPA PFS professionals on a nationwide basis. Very exciting stuff!!

The PFS credential is one of only a few specialties that a CPA can hold. A CPA PFS specializes in providing a variety of personal financial services to clients including estate planning, retirement planning, investment monitoring, tax advice and insurance analysis to name a few.

If you have any questions related to the PFS credential or the services they provide please contact me at:

Reg Baker, CPA PFS
Ph: (702) 360-2823
Web: http://www.regbaker.com/
Email: reg@regbaker.com