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 Avantax Investment ServicesSM and Avantax Advisory ServicesSM.
Helpful Content
Do You Owe The AMT?
If you want to avoid potential surprises at tax time, it may make sense to know where you stand when it comes to the AMT.
The ABC’s of Auto Insurance
What kind of auto insurance should you have? Do you know?
“Dirty Dozen” Tax Scams to Watch For
Every year the IRS releases its list of tax scams, spotlighting some ways that people try to separate you from your money.
Dog Bites Neighbor. Now What?
Even dogs have bad days. So, what happens when your dog bites a neighbor or passing pedestrian?
What If You Get Audited?
The chances of an IRS audit aren't that high. And being audited does not necessarily imply that the IRS suspects wrongdoing.
Life and Death of a Twenty Dollar Bill
How long does a $20 bill last?
5 Things That Seasoned Travelers Are Doing (That You're Not)
A collection of tips from professional travelers.
A Primer on Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts
Irrevocable life insurance trusts can be important tools that may accomplish a number of estate objectives.
Inflation & Your Money
It's important to understand how inflation is reported and how it can affect investments.
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A Look at Systematic Withdrawals
This calculator may help you estimate how long funds may last given regular withdrawals.
Social Security Taxes
Estimate how much of your Social Security benefit may be considered taxable.
Can I Refinance My Mortgage?
This calculator can help determine whether it makes sense to refinance your mortgage.
Bi-Weekly Payments
This calculator estimates the savings from paying a mortgage bi-weekly instead of monthly.
Capital Gains Tax Estimator
Use this calculator to estimate your capital gains tax.
Home Mortgage Deduction
Use this calculator to assess the potential benefits of a home mortgage deduction.
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Managing Your Lifestyle
Using smart management to get more of what you want and free up assets to invest.
An Inside Look at Retirement Living
A number of questions and concerns need to be addressed to help you better prepare for retirement living.
5 Smart Investing Principles
Principles that can help create a portfolio designed to pursue investment goals.
Investment Strategies for Retirement
Investment tools and strategies that can enable you to pursue your retirement goals.
Long-Term-Care Protection Strategies
The chances of needing long-term care, its cost, and strategies for covering that cost.
Principles of Preserving Wealth
How federal estate taxes work, plus estate management documents and tactics.
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Once Upon a Goal
Do you know how to set up your financial goals for success? This knight does.
Acres of Diamonds
In life it often happens that the answers to our most pressing questions are right in our own backyards.
Consider These 3 Things Before Driving Off the Lot
There are a few things to consider when buying or leasing your next vehicle.
Should You Invest in Exchange Traded Funds?
There are hundreds of ETFs available. Should you invest in them?
Suddenly Single: 3 Steps to Take Now
Have you found yourself suddenly single? Here are 3 steps to take right now.
The Latte Lie and Other Myths
Do you know these three personal finance sayings?