In this episode, Leah Jones, Director of Financial Planning for Hightower Bethesda, speaks with Kate Reese about military divorce, addressing anyone who is considering or going through a divorce that includes someone who is or has been a member of the military. They discuss things to consider such as the documents and resources you’ll need to collect and how to approach the division of assets.

“You just pick your battles. Run the numbers and see what the numbers look like… It’s just a choice that you have to make. Just need to be informed and it’s got to have the tax component considered.” -Kate Reese [28:59]

What You Will Learn:

• [00:39] Meet Kate
• [02:36] Who the podcast refers to in regards to military divorce
• [05:21] Documents and resources needed to collect
• [08:53] Military pension benefits and other income considerations
• [15:59] Ways to think about dividing assets
• [23:35] Steps to finalize everything
• [26:11] Other things to know and consider
• [31:53] How to contact Kate

Our Contacts:

Website: bethesda.hightoweradvisors.com

LinkedIn: Hightower Bethesda

Facebook: HightowerBethesda

Twitter: @LeahPlans4You

Guest’s Contacts:

Website: reeselawoffice.com

Phone number: (703) 279-5140

Email: kate@reese.law

In this episode, Leah Jones, Director of Financial Planning for Hightower Bethesda, speaks with Mike Zoller, Senior Investment Analysis for Hightower Bethesda. Mike and Leah conduct a mid-year check in, focusing on higher economic data and provide an update on the COVID-19 pandemic, both domestically and internationally. They talk about broad macro indicators, the U.S. stimulus and international markets, and they also address the topic of inflation.

“One thing I really want to emphasize is that the recovery we’re having today is not the 2009 recovery.” -Mike Zoller [09:46]

What You Will Learn:

• [01:04] An update on the COVID-19 pandemic
• [04:22] What broad macro indicators are telling us
• [07:28] How the American consumer is doing
• [12:30] Inflation risks and Hightower’s outlook on inflation
• [19:35] How the U.S. stimulus will play out in the future
• [22:52] How international markets are and will be affected by the pandemic

Our Contacts:

Website: bethesda.hightoweradvisors.com

LinkedIn: Hightower Bethesda

Facebook: HightowerBethesda

Twitter: @LeahPlans4You

In this episode, Leah Jones, Director of Financial Planning for Hightower Bethesda, talks to Michelle Winner, Director of Marketing for Maryland 529 plan, about using a 529 plan as a savings and investment plan for college costs specific to Maryland. They answer commonly asked questions about these types of plans.

“Adults can use the plan too. For example, maybe your child doesn’t need the money, but perhaps you want to go back to school. You could use the funds yourself to pay for your education expenses. So just something to think about too for those who are looking to maybe pursue a new career or a new trade.” -Michelle Winner [23:51]

What You Will Learn:

• [01:32] What is a 529 plan
• [02:08] The advantages of opening a 529 account vs a traditional savings account
• [05:30] Two different types of Maryland 529 plans
• [08:41] How to contact Maryland 529
• [09:23] What happens if the child choose an out-of-state school
• [14:23] What is a qualified higher education expense
• [18:44] If the funds can be used for anything other than college
• [23:37] Adults can use the Maryland 529 plan too
• [25:12] How 529 funds affects FAFSA
• [32:21] Options if the child doesn’t go to college
• [33:02] Contribution guidelines

Our Contacts:

Website: bethesda.hightoweradvisors.com

LinkedIn: Hightower Bethesda

Facebook: HightowerBethesda

Twitter: @LeahPlans4You

Guest’s Contacts:

Phone number: 888.4MD.GRAD