The IDA Blog

A great place to start learning more about IDA, our services and the financial markets
The IDA Blog2023-08-24T17:22:08+00:00
  • The IDA Blog
August 25, 202212:04 am

Bear Market…Now What?

Today is an example of how fast the tide can turn. Not saying we are out of the woods yet, but Bear Markets do NOT last forever. In fact, they do not last very long typically as compared to BULL markets. Stay disciplined and know that Intelligence Driven Advisers, is here to help you Pursue Better when it comes to your personalized investment strategy and financial plan. Click on the image below to view report: Contact an Adviser Today

March 5, 20193:33 am

Passive Income: What it is & How to Use it to Build Wealth

Passive income is generated with little effort to maintain it. Generally, this type of income is tied to some form of investing. It allows for an accumulation of wealth without a person’s direct involvement once the initial investment has been funded. Rental properties, financial portfolios (stocks, bonds) or private business investments are capable of generating regular cash flow. Each build wealth using various tools from interest payments, dividends, or limited partner shares. And of course, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) comes into play with a guideline that defines passive income for tax purposes. Some passive investments pay immediately, most gain momentum over time. You can build an investment portfolio to create a diverse source of short-term cash flow while accumulating long-term investments. Before you dive into passive income investing, be sure you understand what’s involved. 3 COMMON TYPES OF PASSIVE INCOME 1. RENTAL PROPERTIES Real estate continues to be [...]

January 10, 20193:35 am

5 Tips to Organize Your Finances for 2019 Tax Season

With 2018 wrapping up and the new year approaching, the time has come to start preparing yourself for the upcoming 2019 tax season. When it comes to tax time, filing your taxes can be a daunting experience especially for those who are unorganized. Be prepared this tax season by following the five tax organization tips listed below. 1. GATHER ALL OF YOUR RECEIPTS While you may be diligent about saving your receipts throughout the year, there is a good chance that they are simply stored in a file folder, or box, with little regard to how they are organized. Before you sit down with your tax professional take the time to sort through your receipts and get them organized so you can find what you need when it comes to itemization, The main categories that you should sort your receipts into include: Home and office expenses: This should include utility [...]

December 18, 20182:52 am

How Long Will $1 Million Last You in Retirement?

Have you ever wondered how much your life’s savings will last you in your retirement years? Having a Certified Financial Planner is key to helping you organize your finances and project the results of your investments and savings. A CFP is critical in helping you make decisions that will assist you in reaching your financial goals. The age at which you retire is only one of the factors when forecasting your retirement date, WHERE you decide to retire can also play a very important factor and may mean the difference in a great deal of money. Click here to find out which state will give you the most bang for your buck to retire. How long will your retirement dollars last per state? “Before you speak, listen. Before you write, think. Before you spend, earn. Before you invest, investigate. Before you criticize, wait. Before you pray, forgive. Before you [...]

November 29, 20183:12 am

5 Clever Financial Gift Ideas for Kids

One of the most crucial responsibilities parents have when it comes to raising their children is to educate them in such a way that they are ready to handle the complexities of adult life. While teachers address the usual academics subjects like reading, mathematics, and writing in the classroom, learning about economics and personal finances are left out of the majority of public school curricula. That means the responsibility falls upon parents to expose their kids to these essential lessons. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to help kids learn more about finances which don’t have to wind up costing you a lot of money. These five unique gift ideas will give your children a substantial advantage when it comes to financial security and money management skills in the future. FINANCIAL GIFT IDEAS KIDS AND THEIR PARENTS WILL LOVE A prepaid debit card. Today’s kids are more [...]

October 16, 20183:50 am

Top 5 Duties of An Estate Executor: And How to Carry Them Out

The main responsibility of an executor of a will is to carry out the final wishes of the person who bestowed that position of trust. Usually, the executor is a close family member, but the executor could be a qualified, compensated person duly appointed under the laws of the state. THE TOP DUTIES OF AN EXECUTOR FALL INTO 5 GENERAL CATEGORIES: 1. Gathering the documents necessary for distributing the estate 2. Paying the debts and taxes and collecting from the estate’s debtors 3. Closing out the deceased’s insurance, retirement, and Social Security accounts 4. Maintaining the willed property prior to its disposal 5. Choosing the type of will probate and filing the will accordingly Depending on the size of the estate, complications in probating the will, etc., the duties of the Executor can include much more. The Executor may require qualified legal assistance to navigate the complexities of probate and [...]

September 19, 20183:16 am

The ABCs of Education Investing

With school back in session in most of the country, many parents are likely thinking about how best to prepare for their children’s future college expenses. Now is a good time to sharpen one’s pencil for a few important lessons before heading back into the investing classroom to tackle the issue. THE CALCULUS OF PLANNING FOR FUTURE COLLEGE EXPENSES According to recent data published by the College Board, the annual cost of attending college in the US in 2017–2018 averaged $20,770 at public schools, plus an additional $15,650 if one is attending from out of state. At private schools, tuition and fees averaged $46,950. It is important to note that these figures are averages, meaning actual costs will be higher at certain schools and lower at others. Additionally, these figures do not include the separate cost of books and supplies or the potential benefit of scholarships and other types of [...]

September 19, 20182:56 am

6 Simple Ways to Increase Your Net Worth

“Net worth” is the simplest indicator of your overall financial well-being. Simply defined, it’s the difference between your assets (such as investment accounts, retirement funds and properties) minus all liabilities (including mortgages, credit card debt and other loans). Your net worth is very important in helping you determine how much debt you have and how it can affect your future wealth. It also helps you to highlight critical areas in your financial life that you should focus on early enough. If you have already calculated your net worth and found that it’s lower than you expected, or that you need to increase it starting now; here are a few simple ways to help. 1. REVIEW YOUR LIABILITIES AND PAY OFF DEBT This is one of the simplest ways to raise your net worth. Review all your liabilities keenly and try to reduce or eliminate them all-together. Your liabilities may include [...]

September 4, 20183:22 am

Questions To Ask Your Financial Advisor Before Getting Started

When you hire a financial advisor, you are entering a long-term relationship with a person who will know almost everything about your financial life. It is nearly impossible to know who to trust with your money especially when some financial advisors are only looking to line their pockets rather than offer the best investment advice. Hence the importance to carefully vet potential candidates. To protect yourself and your money, here are some essential questions to ask your financial advisor before making your next move. WHAT IS YOUR INVESTMENT APPROACH AND PHILOSOPHY? There is not one accepted approach or philosophy when it comes to investment. Different professionals follow different approaches and philosophies. Ask the financial advisor to describe their approach and philosophy in simple terms that you can easily understand. An investment philosophy can be described as a set of guiding principles underlying the process of choosing an investment in [...]

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