Welcome to our Web site, where you’ll find a wealth of information in the form of newsletter articles, calculators, and research reports.
We hope your visit will help you understand the opportunities and potential rewards that are available when you take a proactive approach to your personal financial situation. We have created this Web site to help you gain a better understanding of the financial concepts behind insurance, investing*, retirement, estate planning, and wealth preservation. Most important, we hope you see the value of working with skilled professionals to pursue your financial goals.
We’re here to help educate you about the basic concepts of financial management*; to help you learn more about who we are; and to give you fast, easy access to market performance data. We hope you take advantage of this resource and visit us often. Please check out the RESOURCES tab for articles, newsletters, E-seminars and much more valuable information.
*These services are offered by Richard Cepak through his affiliation with H.D. Vest Investment ServicesSM and H.D. Vest Advisory ServicesSM.
Helpful Content
What Do Your Taxes Pay For?
Here's a breakdown of how the federal government spends your tax money.
Investments
You’ve made investments your whole life. Work with us to help make the most of them.
The Most Overlooked Item of Any Home Improvement
The item most homeowners forget on their home improvement project checklist is insurance.
Crowdfunding—Capital for the 21st Century
Crowdfunding continues to gain momentum as more people search the Internet for financing and fundraising alternatives.
Your Changing Definition of Risk in Retirement
A change in your mindset during retirement may drive changes to your portfolio.
U.S. Personal Savings Rate
What can be learned from the savings rate?
Weighing the Benefits of Prepaid Debit Cards
It's important to understand the pros and cons when considering a prepaid debit card.
Best Performing Asset Classes
Bonds may outperform stocks one year only to have stocks rebound the next.
Four Steps to Valuing an Estate
Determining the value of your estate, or for someone who has passed away, can be a complex undertaking.
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Saving for College
This calculator can help you estimate how much you should be saving for college.
Assess Your Life Insurance Needs
This calculator estimates how much life insurance you would need to meet your family's needs if you were to die prematurely.
Roth 401(k) vs. Traditional 401(k)
This calculator compares employee contributions to a Roth 401(k) and a traditional 401(k).
Tax Freedom Day
Assess how many days you'll work to pay your federal tax liability.
Potential Income from an IRA
Estimate your monthly and annual income from various IRA types.
Comparing Investments
This calculator compares the net gain of a taxable investment versus a tax-favored one.
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Principles of Preserving Wealth
How federal estate taxes work, plus estate management documents and tactics.
Keys to Investing for Retirement
There are some key concepts to understand when investing for retirement
Investment Strategies for Retirement
Investment tools and strategies that can enable you to pursue your retirement goals.
5 Smart Investing Principles
Principles that can help create a portfolio designed to pursue investment goals.
Tax Management Strategies
Learn more about taxes, tax-favored investing, and tax strategies.
5 Smart Investing Strategies
There are some smart strategies that may help you pursue your investment objectives
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Interest Rates: How Low Can They Go?
The question used to be, “How low can interest rates go?” Now it's, “How long can rates remain at their historic low levels?”
Events on Wall Street
Can successful investors predict changes in the markets? Some can but others miss the market’s signals.
The Junk Drawer Approach to Investing
It's easy to let investments accumulate like old receipts in a junk drawer.
The Business Cycle
How will you weather the ups and downs of the business cycle?
The Cycle of Investing
Understanding the cycle of investing may help you avoid easy pitfalls.
Do You Feel Lucky?
Recent changes in estate tax laws could affect the strategy you have in place.