Financial Insights & News

Blog

• Sep 14

Planning for Retirement Income Should Consider More Than 401(k)/IRA Accounts

Last month, we considered the situation of a teacher who wondered whether she was on track for a financially secure retirement. That situation applies not only to teachers, but policemen, firefights, and nurses—pretty much anyone with steady paycheck income and have put in around 25 years of employment. In this article, we’ll review the conversation […]

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Blog

• Aug 12

Boosting a Teacher’s Retirement Assets, Just in Time

Last month, we spoke about the wisdom of checking how well your existing retirement planning strategy will replace your paycheck once you stop working. In this article, we offer a specific example, of how important this can be. And the time for this review may be now. Let’s take a look: Mary A, a 52-year-old […]

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Blog

• Jul 13

Can You Replace Your Monthly Paycheck Once You Retire?

Let’s consider Joe Walker, a 55-year-old engineer who has worked 30 years in the same industry. Month after month, he received a solid paycheck and supported his family in a comfortable lifestyle. He diligently contributed to a retirement plan year after year but harbors a deep-rooted fear that once his paycheck stops in retirement, will […]

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Blog

• Jun 11

Persevering in Your Investment Approach in Uncertain Times

If we watched the news today or tomorrow, are we at peace with Iran? Are we at war with Iran? How does it affect my investment portfolio if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed or is suddenly reopened, even temporarily? What happens if the Trump administration employs a new series of tariffs affecting our key […]

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Blog

• May 12

It’s Time to Review Your Financial Strategy

Spring is a perfect time to do a re-evaluation of your accounts. Have you talked to your financial advisor lately? You would be surprised how many questions they can answer for you, and how they can help you through the end of the year. Overall, having your financial advisor review your accounts and investment/savings/budgeting status […]

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Blog

• Apr 16

The Inherited IRA/401(k): What to Know and What to Avoid

Consider the following scenario: A beloved parent has recently passed away, and you are dealing with her estate. She had money in a traditional IRA or 401k, which she has bequeathed to you. Can you simply fold that money into your own retirement account? Today, for non-Roth IRAs, the answer is no. Prior to 2019, […]

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Blog

• Mar 12

Stocks Versus CDs to Grow Your Principal

When people think of growing their money as safely as possible, they often first look at bank certificate of deposit (CD) interest rates. This is a tried-and-true method for growing your money slowly overtime, with annual yields that may be as high as 5% for a 5-year CD. There is another low-risk option, if you […]

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Blog

• Feb 12

The Retirement Plan Contribution Limits Have Increased for 2026

We’re in the middle of the 2025 tax season right now. Although you may be focused on calculating your deductions from fiscal year 2025, it may also be the best time to consider your tax- saving deductions for 2026! For 2026, retirement plan contribution limits have increased across the board for tax-advantaged accounts, some significantly. […]

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Blog

• Nov 13

Why You Should Avoid Commissionable Investments

There are many types of investments and securities available for people interested in growing their savings, retirement funds, or just increasing their wealth over the long term. One type of investment that we don’t sell at Isakov Planning Group are commissionable investments. There are several reasons why these should be avoided. Simply stated, commissionable investments […]

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Blog

• Jan 13

With Early Investing, Slow and Steady Wins the Race!

Financial advisors have two mantras for people looking to grow their investments, or just about any long-term savings project. The first is to start setting aside money and investing when you are young. The second is it doesn’t necessarily take large contributions to add up to a lot of savings. At Isakov Planning Group, we […]

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Blog

• Dec 11

A Thank You to Our Old and New Clients

As 2025 draws to a close, we want to take this opportunity to thank all our clients for an incredible year of trust, growth, and partnership. At Isakov Planning Group, we consider our clients close partners and dear friends. We are truly thankful for the confidence you have placed in us to reach your financial […]

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Blog

• Oct 17

Bonds 101: Why Portfolio Stability Matters

Currently, the stock market is at an all-time high. Of course, we’ve all seen that can change in the span of a short trading day. That is the reason any financial advisor hesitates to advise folks with long-term investment goals to focus only on stocks. Typically, at Isakov Planning Group, we preach an approach that […]

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Blog

• Sep 15

Life Insurance Is Part of Your Long-Term Financial Plan

Life insurance is a vital consideration in your savings and retirement plan. It is powerful protection for younger people without large investment portfolios and for those just starting their lives together. For middle-aged people with spouses or families to support, it should be part of the conversation about your finances. Life Insurance for Security and […]

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Blog

• Aug 15

The Financial Advisor is an Educator, not Just an Equity Trader

My profession, as a financial advisor, is sometimes misunderstood. The breadth of services we provide is greater than you think—well, maybe not, if you read these posts regularly! The following is a short accounting of aspects of my work: Investment management and strategy development Creating personalized financial plans based on an individual client’s goals, such […]

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Blog

• Jul 22

Rapid Market Fluctuations: Don’t Follow the Bouncing Ball!

Towards the end of March and early April, the stock and bond markets experienced a sudden downturn, fueled by uncertainty of federal budgets, the threatened implementation of tariffs, their possible effects on the price of goods. People lost between 10% and 20% of their equity investments in a only a couple of weeks. In an […]

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Blog

• May 10

Understanding the Financial Impact of Divorce

Outside of death and disability, what can be more stressful and damaging to your social relationships, living situation, and your finances than going through a divorce? It is never an easy process, though it is far more difficult when children are involved. A major life event, divorce is exceedingly common, with 40% to 50% of first […]

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Blog

• Apr 10

Tariffs on Global Goods and Your Money

In the last couple of months, there has been a great deal of uncertainty over the President’s economic plan. The present administration had announced brand new tariffs, delays in implementing them, a “Liberation Day” imposing vast tariffs on global imports to the US, and most recently a 90-day pause in their implementation. We don’t know […]

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Blog

• Mar 10

How Do I Reduce My Taxes in 2025?

You’re probably like most of the rest of the country today, working on your personal taxes, and looking forward to moving on with your life! This is the perfect time, however, to start thinking about reducing/limiting your taxable income for the current year. This is particularly true for those who expect that they may be […]

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Blog

• Feb 10

Who Are the Best Referrals for Isakov Planning Group?

Our friends and clients know that Isakov Planning Group does not spend valuable dollars on media advertising. Unlike large, national financial advising firms, our most powerful advertisements come from recommendations or referrals from our existing clients. In fact, that is where we get most of our new accounts. What kind of referrals are best for […]

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Blog

• Jan 10

Isakov Planning Group Posts a 24% Average Annual Rate of Return for 2024

Looking back on 2024, we sincerely thank our clients for putting their trust in us to answer their financial questions and managing their investments. Our joint successes over the past 12 months testify to your confidence in our team and a consultative approach to your financial security. By the Numbers In 2024, we saw excellent […]

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Blog

• Dec 10

Using Dividends to Amplify Your Portfolio’s Growth

Anyone can invest in a common stock or in a specific business sector through mutual funds. But even within various stocks, have you considered looking into one that provides substantial dividends, which can add to the value of your stock? Although the stock market has reached new highs this month, no one can predict how […]

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Blog

• Nov 11

Your Retirement Assets Need not Be in One Bucket Only!

Real-life case studies are proven ways to get consumers’ attention, and perhaps one of the reasons is that people like to see if and how that situation applies to them. We’ll use a case study to illustrate a type of retirement savings scenario that applies to a certain segment of the population. In this instance, […]

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Blog

• Oct 11

Can AI Play a Role in Choosing Investments?

Artificial intelligence or AI is one of the hottest topics of the decade. Not a day goes by where you don’t see the effects of AI. This month, the researchers who developed “machine learning,” the basis for AI, were awarded the Nobel Prize. If AI can take vast amounts of information and distill it to […]

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Blog

• Sep 11

What Is Your Most Valuable Asset?

It probably isn’t what you think! Most people may answer, “My home, of course.” Not really. Your home may possess significant dollar value, but we believe your most valuable asset is your income. Why? Your income is the asset that fuels financial growth and security. Let’s dig a little deeper into this thought. Your ability […]

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Blog

• Aug 11

Buy or Hold: What Is the Best Approach to Stock Investing?

So, you ran into some extra money and you decided to purchase 100 shares of a stock that you’ve been following. If your intention was to leave that investment alone for a number of years, you are hoping that the share price rises dramatically (assuming it does not pay a dividend), increasing the value of […]

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Blog

• Jul 11

What Is Your Net Worth? Knowing the Answer Could Help You Financially

A person’s net worth is not some arcane financial term. It is a living, breathing testament to your financial situation, and it says volumes about your assets and your debt, in addition to how you should be budgeting and planning for the future. In the simplest terms, your net worth is a calculation of what […]

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Blog

• Jun 11

Emergency and Unanticipated Spending: Everyone Needs a Rainy-Day Fund

The idea of saving money for “a rainy day” is a founding principle of financial management. Though the advice is as old as investing itself. Putting aside money for unforeseen costs, such as major home or car repairs, sudden job loss, funeral expenses, divorce proceedings, among others, are people really heeding this sage advice? From […]

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Blog

• May 11

Why Choose Isakov Planning Group?

Over the past few years, we have discussed important issues and steps you can take to ensure your financial peace of mind. However, we have not directly addressed a basic question: If you made the decision to consult with a financial advisor, why choose Isakov Planning Group? There are several great reasons, but first and […]

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Blog

• Apr 11

Are People too Lax in Managing Their Retirement Account?

You may already be saving for your retirement by putting money into a 401(k), IRA, SEP IRA, 403(b), or 457 retirement plan. That’s an excellent, long-term strategy. But you may need to go a step further. When I talk with people about their existing retirement plan accounts, they generally can tell me two important items: […]

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Blog

• Mar 11

My Top 5 Learnings as a Financial Advisor

As a financial advisor, you meet so many types of people who have an array of financial concerns or issues. In my nearly 20 years in this business, I’ve put together a short list of some of the most common (and important) situations that arise, and how we address them. “Where Does My Money Go?” […]

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Blog

• Feb 11

What Do This Year’s Financial Trends Mean for You?

Last month, we talked about 2023 results, which forms the backdrop to what could be a busy, complex year for financial decision making. This month, we discuss how these trends will affect how you spend, save, or invest your money in 2024, especially coming into the elections in November. During a normal presidential election year, […]

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Blog

• Jan 11

The 2023 Economic Roller Coaster: What Drove the Hills and Dips?

With the turn of the calendar page, we welcome the arrival of 2024. It’s the ideal time to review a wild 2023 in the U.S. financial markets, driven in good measure by movement on interest rates and inflation. Interest Rates and Their Effect on Stocks and Bonds From the beginning of 2023 through the third […]

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Blog

• Dec 11

The Roth Advantage if You Retire but Die Before Age 72

Under normal circumstances, if you have a conventional IRA or 401(k), you must begin to take distributions from your retirement plan upon celebrating your 72nd birthday (or your 73rd birthday if you reached 72 after December 31, 2022). If you had a conventional IRA, your distributions would be taxed. However, what happens if your spouse […]

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Blog

• Nov 11

Investing for Children’s Education: A Guide to UGMA and 529 Savings Plans

With college costs rising well beyond the limits of affordability, the importance of saving today for a child or grandchild’s education expenses cannot be emphasized enough. The investment accounts introduced by the Uniform Transfer to Minors Act (UTMA) and the Uniform Gift to Minors Act (UGMA) are options to traditional 529 plans. What are the […]

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Blog

• Oct 11

How to Choose Between a Conventional or Roth 401(k) Plan

I’m a financial planner, and in my professional opinion, everyone with a job can, and should, put away whatever money they can for their future retirement. After all, it is nearly impossible to live on Social Security payments alone after retirement. One of the easiest savings decisions you can make is to use one of […]

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Blog

• Sep 11

Your Financial Personality Type and Your Money

The way you approach your financial decisions reflects your personality. Here’s an important question: How did you react to the market downturn in 2022? Did you change your investment or spending patterns during this time? Here are four types of personality traits that may help define how you make financial decisions. Are You Prone to […]

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Blog

• Aug 11

Money Can Be the Difficult Subject for Couples

Imagine this scenario: You and your spouse are planning a vacation, but you are disagreeing about how much you can spend. Your wife or husband believes that you two can afford a 2-week, first-class tour of Europe, but you are thinking more of a 4-day cruise around the Caribbean, because of that new bedroom set […]

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Blog

• Jul 11

Your State of Mind Can Affect Your Decisions About Money

How people spend and save their money is intensely related to an individual’s state of mind. People who are anxious or depressed may not be in the best position to make optimal financial choices. Monetary decisions are best made when all of the options have been carefully considered. That being said, behavioral health does affect […]

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Blog

• Jun 11

The Benefits of a Financial Plan

In previous posts, I’ve often mentioned financial plans. What exactly is a financial plan? Why do you need one? Most simply, a financial plan spells out your current financial status and lists your monetary goals for the near future and over the long term. A financial plan also provides a highly customized strategy to attain […]

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