Curt Mangold - Signature Wealth Management Group

529s – A Jack of All Trades Account

In recognition of National 529 Day (5/29), each May I aspire to write a captivating missive on the rather bland topic of 529 Plans. Yet it seems rightly so to continue with these efforts, because according to a recent Edward Jones study1, only about half (50%) of Americans know what a 529 Plan is and fewer than a quarter have a 529 Plan. So rather than explain every intricate detail of what a 529 Plan is (which can be found in my article "Savings with a 529 College Plan"), let’s [...]

By Curt Mangold|2025-05-01T14:26:57-04:00May 1, 2025|College Planning, Financial Planning|

New Year, Auld To-Do Items

As clocks chimed midnight and the sounds of champagne corks, kazoos and the familiar Auld Lang Syne resonated amid hugs with family and friends, the calendar officially turned the page to 2025. This timeless celebration allows us to recall fondly the memories, friends and experiences of the previous year and embrace the new year with an open heart, new beginnings and infinite possibilities. Dreadfully, it was not long into the new year before the celebration turned to sorrow in New Orleans. Our hearts pour out to the victims and families [...]

By Curt Mangold|2025-01-02T13:50:34-05:00January 2, 2025|Estate Planning, Financial Planning, Retirement Planning|

Saving with a 529 College Plan

As the excitement builds for National 529 Day later this month on 5/29 [clever, eh?], it seems only appropriate to help our clients and readers to gain a better understanding of this type of college savings account. First, and foremost, you should know it’s generally unwise to fund your child/ren’s college with a 529 – as the sole account to meet college expenses. Depending upon a family’s situation, there are other types of college savings accounts that can meet your objectives or work in concert with a 529 account to [...]

By Curt Mangold|2024-05-09T12:39:18-04:00May 1, 2024|College Planning, Financial Planning|

Is a Revocable Trust Right for Me?

“…In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Benjamin Franklin penned this maxim in the late 1800’s, and it is as true today as it was back then. Indeed, taxes are a certainty, as we are reminded with every paycheck, purchase, and each April 15th. But death, and preparing for our own eventuality, is certainly overlooked. This concern is supported by a 2024 survey that reveals only 32% of Americans have an estate plan in place.1 There may be a myriad of reasons [...]

By Curt Mangold|2024-01-30T18:09:31-05:00January 26, 2024|Estate Planning|

Preparing for the New 529 Plan

Education is a significant investment in a child's future, and responsible financial planning is crucial to ensure the availability of funds when the time comes. 529 Plans have long been a popular saving choice for higher education expenses, its origin dating back to 1996 when this prepaid college savings account first was added to the IRS tax code. And over the years, there have been changes and improvements to the Plan to make it a more attractive savings vehicle for a family’s college planning needs. Though now, it appears that [...]

By Curt Mangold|2024-05-01T10:53:52-04:00December 1, 2023|College Planning, Financial Planning, Retirement Planning|

Help Your Student Qualify For An Uncle Sam Tax Scholarship

When it comes time for your child or children to attend college, will you be able to afford it? This is a question that is burdening many parents, as college tuition inflation has increased at an alarming average rate of 12% annually from 2010 to 2022, while the cost of tuition even at public 4-year institutions increased 9.24% over this same time period1. Strategically, the simplest solution is to begin saving large sums and saving early, but this might not be financially feasible for younger parents with younger children. And [...]

By Curt Mangold|2024-01-30T18:44:53-05:00September 27, 2023|College Planning|

Student Loan Repayment Delayed Again to Future Date in 2023

The Biden administration has announced another extension for repayment of federal student loans to an unspecified date in 2023 due to legal challenges that have blocked the implementation of the student loan debt relief program. The previous payment moratorium was set to expire on December 31, 2022. Under the new extension, student loan payments will resume 60 days after the student loan debt relief program is implemented or the lawsuits are resolved. If the courts have not resolved the issue by June 30, 2023, payments will start 60 days after that.1 LEGAL CHALLENGES [...]

By Curt Mangold|2024-01-30T18:57:20-05:00December 8, 2022|College Planning|

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