Birch Road Wealth Builders

02/21/2025

We use ProjectionLab to model assets, goals, lifestyle, and drawdown.

If you're not sure of when you can retire, and want to calibrate your runway, ProjectionLab is a great tool to run stress-tests and alternative plans with your asset picture.

They offer a great 7-day free trial. I get some an incentive if you use my affiliate link - so if you want to give it a DIY try - click here, and subscribe if you love it.

https://projectionlab.com?ref=pamela42

I you want or need a guide, apply for one-on-one coaching. As a part of our program, you'll get a profile in projection lab that stays up-to-date as LONG as you want (even AFTER our coaching is complete!). Send us a message with any questions always!

Simulate your financial future. Modern financial and retirement planning tools to plan for early retirement, financial independence, and more.

02/04/2025

If you're wondering how to work together, we are taking applications for February onboarding! Link below to apply.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScxPaK3xC0AsY5nAtoe7mRUZusSPFqkX0UsyMiV0T9KlPbCyA/viewform?usp=header

02/04/2025

Do you want to increase your savings, but your family keeps on spending money? It's hard to control the behavior of others....but it's a lot easier when you are working to a common goal.

Take a look at these slides for a quick how-to on aligning your family on a budget for 2025.

02/04/2025

Hey Illinois Residents! I was doing some research on tax deductions and I'm finding that you guys get some GREAT TAX deductions if you contribute to a qualified 529 plan.

Here's a link below to the "bright start 529" and "bright directions 529" plans. The fees associated with these plans are frankly NOT COMPETITIVE. What makes them worth their while is the tax deduction for your state income taxes (up to $20k per kid! [=$10k/parent contributing]).

If you live somewhere else (since we've had kids we've been in lower-cost states - TX, AK, and expats), look at the Utah 529 plan. You can invest from ANYWHERE, and the Vanguard funds charge fees that are lower than I've found anywhere! It's where we have our kids 529s, and we're very happy with fees and performance.

If you're new to shopping to plans like these, you want to look for the SUMMARY PLAN DESCRIPTION - This will give you all of your investment options in the plan and associated fees.

Illinois residents:
https://brightstart.com/why/529-benefits/
https://brightdirections.com/529-basics/

Non-Illinois residents:
https://my529.org/

02/03/2025

Great WSJ article about Roth Conversions and advanced tax planning for RMD time!

Taxpayers should consider whether strategically “accelerating” their income—and paying tax on it—can reduce what they’ll owe Uncle Sam over time

02/03/2025

Here’s the first week of our Money Masters Challenge! I’m so proud of our group working on their budgets!!

02/03/2025

Newsletter 12 is up on our website! Our topic for this week is on choosing investments that match your time horizon. Check it out at the link and let me know with a comment - is your time horizon SHORT or LONG?
https://birchroadwealthbuilders.com/free-stuff
Happy reading! it was certainly fun to write!