Mainsail Insights

At the start of 2025, many of you may recall in our previous market outlook where we introduced a central theme of being nimble and prepared to maneuver with your investment approach this year. That message continues to ring true as we navigate an increasingly unpredictable market environment.

While taxes may not be the most exciting topic, understanding how taxes work and what your tax liabilities may be are essential for effective financial planning. Whether you're preparing for retirement, managing investments, or simply aiming to minimize your tax liability, knowing your income brackets, the current capital gains rates, and contribution limits each year is crucial.

Believe it or not, taxes are typically one of, if not the largest expense we pay throughout our lifetime. While taxes are always constant, with proper planning and an understanding of how investments are taxed, you can be proactive in building effective, long-term tax planning strategies. In this article, we will be covering the basics of tax planning, touching on how accounts are taxed, the importance of tax diversification, and required minimum distributions.

It is a new year and with a fresh start comes hopes and dreams about what 2025 may bring. One of the many areas in focus is what may happen in the economy and stock markets for the year ahead. We are coming off the back of two very strong years in the markets, so how will they react in 2025? Can we experience a three-peat?

As in years past, 2024 was another one full of ups and downs, and I know many of us are looking forward to what the new year has in store. As 2024 comes to a close, it is a great time to reassess our financial situation and planning considerations. Each calendar year, the IRS adjusts contribution limits for retirement plans to account for inflation. Again, 2025 is no different as the IRS has recently announced the new retirement plan contributions for the year ahead.

After Halloween, the holiday season vibes are in full force. It’s a great time of year to enjoy with friends, family, and co-workers and although this is a time we associate with great memories, it can also have a large impact on our wallets. Here are 3 key holiday budgeting strategies to implement now in 2024.

We're certainly getting closer to year-end, and many have had questions about the election and what to prepare for through the end of 2024. In this market outlook, we will be covering Mainsail’s perspective on the election impacts and what to watch ahead of year-end.  

As we follow along with the dramatic events related to the upcoming presidential election so far, I am sure many are interested in our perspective around the financial and economic impacts of the election. That said, it is also important to focus on the fundamentals and the areas that are truly driving the stock market at the moment. Based on this, our market outlook will cover what has occurred so far in 2024, our perspective on what to watch ahead, and our forecast for the second half of 2024.

As we find ourselves with a potential stock market downturn on the horizon in 2024, it is important as a financial advisor to help break apart the narrative and provide financial perspective. While the markets are extremely important to pay attention to for your retirement planning, long term strategies should be in place to keep you on track for the long haul.

Lately many have become aware of the benefits around Roth IRAs, especially as it relates to tax-free growth and distributions. Rather than getting a small tax break today on pre-tax assets in exchange for a much larger tax bill as the account grows, many wonder how they can take advantage of Roth IRAs in retirement, in order to make the most of their nest egg.  By strategically shifting away from only traditional, pre-tax assets and instead making Roth IRA conversions, you may be able to maximize your long-term savings and minimize tax burdens in retirement.