MKR Blog
Contrary to popular belief, estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy. Your estate includes everything you own, and it’s worth taking the time to plan for what will happen to it. Below we’ll go over steps you can take to be sure your money and assets are kept safe...
President Biden campaigned on a promise to accomplish his progressive agenda by never raising taxes on citizens making less than $400,000 annually. However, his recent proposal to tax unrealized capital gains at death may impact a broader group. Here’s what to know....
Both a will and a living revocable trust are valuable estate tools that transfer wealth to heirs—and both can work together to establish a complete estate plan—but what’s the difference between each, and which do you really need? We’ll go over this in the article...
Even those of us who have the best intentions with our money can fall victim to bad financial habits, which can cause unnecessary stress and anxiety. Some of the most common bad habits we fall into include: Impulse spending Not budgeting (or not sticking to a budget)...
As the clock winds down to the end of the year, there are a few last-minute money moves to make in order to lower your tax bill. Maximize Your 401(k) and HSA Contributions While tax deductible contributions can be made to traditional and Roth IRA accounts until April...
With fall in full swing, it’s the perfect time to start drafting a financial game plan for the holidays in order to avoid overspending, plunging into debt, and piling stress on top of an already stressful season. Here’s how you can hatch a holiday plan for this year...
The Social Security Administration sends survivor benefits to about 6 million Americans every month, directed to widows, widowers, and children who have experienced the loss of someone who has paid into the social security program. Read on to find out who is eligible...
Before 1997, once a homeowner reached the age of 55, they had the one-time option of excluding up to $125,000 of gain on the sale of their primary residence. Today any homeowner, regardless of age, has the option to exclude up to $250,000 of gain ($500,000 for married...
As the values of homes around the country continue to rise, as well as the cost of rent, home ownership looks more and more appealing. In the past, homeowners have been able to deduct certain expenses on their tax returns. Yet, with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017...
You have several options when you inherit an IRA, so it’s no wonder that most people on the receiving end have questions about taking distributions, tax implications, and incorporating the inheritance into their existing financial plan. For starters, it helps to...
President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) could change your tax return in real ways. The bill offers potential relief for parents raising kids, workers earning tips or overtime, and seniors on fixed incomes. There are a few key areas to pay attention to. Here’s...
Running a veterinary clinic means juggling patient care, staff needs, and business operations. Technology can help ease that load, and in 2026, several trends are beginning to emerge for better efficiency, security, and staff and client support. Here are the...
Health savings accounts (HSAs) are one of the best tools for saving on healthcare costs. And beginning this year, more Americans than ever will qualify for HSAs, thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB), which was passed last July. Read on to learn what’s changing,...
When you retire, you don’t have to move your 401(k) right away, and for many retirees, leaving it where it is could be a smart move. Employers are increasingly adding features that make staying in the plan more appealing. Why? Partly because when employees with large...
The construction industry enters 2026 facing both persistent headwinds and emerging opportunities. Rising material costs, ongoing labor shortages, and policy uncertainty continue to challenge business owners. But at the same time, there’s an undercurrent of guarded...
When it comes to increasing the value of a small business, focusing on top-line growth won’t give you the whole picture. Revenue alone doesn’t always equal value, and a bigger business isn’t always a better one. If your long-term goal is to build a valuable business...
The Trump administration enacted new tariffs on lumber and kitchen cabinets, adding pressure to construction budgets. The tariffs apply a 10% duty on softwood lumber and a 25% levy on imported kitchen cabinets. By 2026, the cabinet tariff is set to double to 50%. As a...
More Americans are turning to a 401(k) hardship withdrawal to cover urgent and unexpected expenses. By the end of 2024, about 5% of employees had taken a hardship withdrawal from their 401(k) accounts. That’s more than double the 2% who did so in 2018. With inflation,...
When the federal government shuts down, businesses across the nation feel the effects, especially for those that rely on federal programs, work directly with federal agencies, or operate near government properties. This article explains how government shutdowns affect...
When the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates, it’s good news for borrowers and consumers, but not so much for savers. The Fed’s recent quarter-point rate cut is a reminder that the annual percentage yields (APYs) on savings accounts and certificates of deposit (CDs)...