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Cassandra Smalley, CFA, CFP® Cassandra Smalley, CFA, CFP®

Unleash the Power of Tax-Free Growth: A Guide to Roth Conversions for Women

As women, we have a unique set of financial goals and challenges. Whether it's building a secure retirement nest egg, achieving financial independence, ensuring our resources last, or leaving a lasting legacy, we strive to make wise financial decisions. One powerful tool in our arsenal is the Roth conversion. In this article, we will explore what a Roth conversion is, why it can be beneficial for women, and what factors to consider when evaluating whether a Roth conversion is right for you.

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Cassandra Smalley, CFA, CFP® Cassandra Smalley, CFA, CFP®

The Clock is Ticking: Exploit Pre-Expiration Tax Benefits for Your Retirement Savings

Planning for retirement is a crucial aspect of securing your financial future. With the ever-changing tax landscape, it's essential to stay informed about potential opportunities that can impact your retirement savings. One strategy to consider is accelerating distributions from your tax-deferred retirement accounts before the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) lower tax brackets are set to expire. In this article, we'll explore why this approach can be beneficial, how it works, and the potential advantages it offers for your tax planning future.

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Cassandra Smalley, CFA, CFP® Cassandra Smalley, CFA, CFP®

Navigating Age Milestones in Financial Planning: Your Path to a Secure Future

Navigating the age milestones in financial and retirement planning is akin to embarking on a journey with various signposts along the way. Each milestone represents a critical opportunity to make informed decisions and take action that will shape your financial future. Remember to continuously evaluate your goals, adjust your strategies, and seek guidance from financial professionals to ensure you're on track. By embracing these milestones and actively participating in your financial journey, you can create a solid foundation for a secure and fulfilling retirement.

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Cassandra Smalley, CFA, CFP® Cassandra Smalley, CFA, CFP®

How to Master Your Financial Symphony: 7 Bookkeeping Tips for Business Owners

Just as a symphony relies on each instrument playing in harmony, successful bookkeeping requires attention to detail, organization, and a balanced approach. By following these seven bookkeeping tips, you can orchestrate your financial records like a maestro, ensuring a melodious journey toward business success. Remember, maintaining accurate and up-to-date bookkeeping is not only essential for compliance but also a strategic tool that helps you make informed decisions and steer your business toward prosperity.

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Cassandra Smalley, CFA, CFP® Cassandra Smalley, CFA, CFP®

Unlocking the Right Business Structure: Safeguarding Your Assets with LLCs, C-Corps, S-Corps, and More

Choosing the right business structure is essential for protecting your assets and ensuring your business's long-term success. Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of each option empowers you to make an informed decision. Whether you opt for the simplicity of a sole proprietorship, the liability protection of an LLC, or the robustness of a C-Corp or S-Corp, remember to seek professional guidance to tailor your business structure to your unique needs. With the right structure in place, you can confidently embark on your entrepreneurial journey, knowing your assets are protected and your future is secure.

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Cassandra Smalley, CFA, CFP® Cassandra Smalley, CFA, CFP®

Exploring Retirement Plans for Business Owners: Choosing the Right Path to Secure Your Future

Planning for retirement is crucial for business owners, as it not only ensures their financial security but also offers benefits to employees. However, with a myriad of retirement plan options available, selecting the right one can be overwhelming. In this article, we will explore the various types of retirement plans for business owners, discussing their unique features, pros and cons, and helping you make an informed decision for your retirement goals.

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Cassandra Smalley, CFA, CFP® Cassandra Smalley, CFA, CFP®

Essential Estate Planning for Business Owners: Protecting Your Wealth and Securing Your Business Legacy

As a business owner, your estate planning needs are unique and require careful consideration. Whether you plan to sell your business to fund your retirement or pass it on as a multi-generational enterprise, it's essential to have a concrete plan for your business in your estate. We'll explore why business owners should prioritize estate planning and address specific considerations for preserving their wealth and securing the future of their business.

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Cassandra Smalley, CFA, CFP® Cassandra Smalley, CFA, CFP®

Mastering Financial Success: Top 10 Common Financial Mistakes Business Owners Must Avoid

Running a business is an exhilarating journey, but it can also be fraught with financial challenges. To thrive in the competitive landscape, it's crucial for business owners to be aware of common financial mistakes and take proactive steps to steer clear of them. In this article, we'll delve into the top 10 financial mistakes that business owners often make and provide valuable insights on how to sidestep these pitfalls. Let's embark on the path to financial success!

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Cassandra Smalley, CFA, CFP® Cassandra Smalley, CFA, CFP®

Safeguarding Your Business: The Power of Buy Sell Agreements

A well-crafted buy-sell agreement provides essential protection and peace of mind for business owners. It creates a framework for managing ownership transitions, maintaining fair value, and preserving the continuity of your business. By controlling ownership, determining fair value, and ensuring smooth transitions, these agreements safeguard your business, your personal and family interests, and offer stability to customers, creditors, and employees.

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Cassandra Smalley, CFA, CFP® Cassandra Smalley, CFA, CFP®

Demystifying Quarterly Estimated Tax Payments for Business Owners

As a business owner, it's essential to understand your tax obligations and stay on top of your tax payments throughout the year. One aspect that often confuses entrepreneurs is the requirement to make quarterly estimated tax payments. In this comprehensive guide, we'll break down the process of calculating and making these payments, as well as provide insights into meeting tax requirements and safe harbor rules.

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Cassandra Smalley, CFA, CFP® Cassandra Smalley, CFA, CFP®

Exit Strategies for Small Business Owners: How to Plan for a Smooth Transition

Planning your exit strategy and preparing for a smooth transition is vital for small business owners. By evaluating your options, preparing your business for sale, increasing its value, assembling a transition team, preparing documentation, and effectively marketing your business, you can navigate the exit process with confidence and maximize its value.

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Cassandra Smalley, CFA, CFP® Cassandra Smalley, CFA, CFP®

“The Why of Wealth” Book Proceeds Giveback

Cassandra Smalley, CFA, CFP® will donate 50% of book sale profits from her new book “The Why of Wealth” to the Lucy Shair Foundation in June. Show your support for empowering other women to financial success and increasing the inclusion of more women in financial services to serve them by purchasing your copy.

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Cassandra Smalley, CFA, CFP® Cassandra Smalley, CFA, CFP®

Thriving as an Executive Working Mother: Balancing Career Success and Personal Fulfillment

Thriving as an executive working mother is an ongoing journey that requires intentional actions, support systems, and self-care. By clarifying your goals, cultivating a strong support network, continuously developing your skills, and embracing work-life boundaries, you can successfully navigate the corporate ladder while finding fulfillment in both your career and personal life.

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Cassandra Smalley, CFA, CFP® Cassandra Smalley, CFA, CFP®

Empowering Employees, Boosting Business: The Magic of a Safe Harbor 401(k) Plan

When it comes to looking out for your employees' financial well-being, offering a retirement plan is a fantastic move. One option worth exploring is a Safe Harbor 401(k) plan. It comes with perks for both you and your hardworking team. With increased participation, simplified compliance requirements, and flexibility in plan design, it's a win-win for all.

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Cassandra Smalley, CFA, CFP® Cassandra Smalley, CFA, CFP®

Navigating the Transition: How to Prepare When Switching from a Corporate Job to an Entrepreneur

Switching from a corporate job to entrepreneurship is an exciting and transformative decision. By following these essential steps and preparing for the transition, you can increase your chances of success: define your vision, build a strong financial foundation, develop a comprehensive business plan, build a supportive network, acquire relevant skills, and maintain a resilient mindset and you will enjoy the fulfillment and freedom that building your own business can bring.

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Cassandra Smalley, CFA, CFP® Cassandra Smalley, CFA, CFP®

Fearless and Female {At Work}

What happens when our purpose and our passions overshadow our fears? What happens when fearless women lead? On this International Women’s Day, we celebrate and empower others toward an equitable and inclusive future.

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Cassandra Smalley, CFA, CFP® Cassandra Smalley, CFA, CFP®

Building Strong Families - It’s What We Do!

Creating a lasting legacy requires communication among members of the family unit. We typically think about our estate plan as a way to best carry out your wishes. But our legacy is not only for the moment we have checked out from this earth. Our legacy is now.

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Cassandra Smalley, CFA, CFP® Cassandra Smalley, CFA, CFP®

Life Values Discovery

Our goals in life, our career, and the things we wish for our family all go back to this single word: values. Values act as the guiding principles that help bring a deep sense of purpose, fulfillment, and joy to your life. Most importantly, values explain your WHY.

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