Wealth Planning

Balancing Financial Planning for College with Other Goals

Are you planning to help your children with getting a degree someday? Financial planning for college has become a big priority for many American households. However, with education expenses on the rise, the total price tag may be much larger than you think. The average cost of attending a public college is $27,330 for in-state students, $44,150 for out-of-state students, and $55,800 for a private school per year.[1] Add to that other major expenses like

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A smiling man in a suit is featured on a promotional graphic for "The Owner's Corner" podcast. Text on the graphic reads "EP4 Doug Conner Alex Shortle: Tips for Selling Your Business.

Owner’s Corner – Maximizing Value and Optimizing Outcomes when Selling your Business with Doug Conner and Alex Shortle (podcast)

Over the last 30 years, Doug Conner has been buying and selling lower-to-middle-market businesses in the Midwest. During this time, he has also worked as the Managing Director at Periculum Capital Company and the Principal at BrightPath Capital and Cardinal Ventures. Doug holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Mathematics from DePaul University and received his Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard Business School. Alex Shortle has spent the bulk of his career supporting

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A man in a suit is sitting outdoors, holding a folded newspaper in one hand and resting his chin on his other. He appears to be deep in thought, perhaps pondering the complex taxation of stock options, with a blurred building facade in the background.

Taxation of Stock Options and Other Mistakes to Avoid

Stock options are often used as an incentive for key employees and executives. For example, Apple CEO Tim Cook received a $3 million salary in 2021, which may seem relatively small given the enormous value of the company. But the full scope of his compensation package becomes clearer when you also consider he was awarded $82.3 million in stock options [1]. Stock options aren’t just for household names. Companies of many sizes use incentive stock

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A close-up image of the word "Medicare" printed on a torn piece of paper positioned over a background that includes U.S. currency. It signifies financial aspects related to Medicare health insurance.

Medicare Planning for Retirement: A Comprehensive Guide

Why does Medicare remind us of Swiss cheese? Because it has many, many holes. Especially for those who have not properly researched their healthcare options before signing up for a program. Jokes aside, Medicare planning for retirement is a serious matter. It can be confusing and daunting. Our team at SYM Financial has covered the basics of Medicare before, so today’s article will briefly review the structure of the program before diving into the most

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A senior woman and a younger man are sitting on a beige sofa in a cozy living room, likely discussing the joys and challenges of caring for aging parents. They are engaged in a friendly conversation, both smiling. The room features a white curtain, wooden shelves with various items, and a large green potted plant.

How to Talk to Your Aging Parents About Money

Every adult wants the best for their aging parents. Can they use a hand getting Mom’s car to a shop? Do they need help finding a contractor to fix a leaky roof? Should you line up grocery deliveries while Dad is recovering from surgery? However, one topic that can be particularly difficult to broach is finances. It’s easy to see why some people may see conversations about money as being taboo. And, of course, the

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A person wearing a black and white striped shirt and a black cap blows a whistle and holds up a yellow card. The background shows a blurred outdoor landscape with mountains. The words "EARLY RETIREMENT" are written in bold towards the top left of the image.

How to Avoid an Early Retirement Penalty

Every now and again, SYM Financial advisors and planners run into clients who retire early. There are many good reasons why someone might “retire early” in the eyes of the IRS, which is any time before reaching the age of 59½. Some are ready to separate from their jobs sooner than they had anticipated. Others may be impacted by layoffs, workforce reduction, or health problems that make it difficult to continue working. No matter how

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