Author: shira@thumplocal.com

Who Will Inherit Your Accounts? Why Fall Is the Right Time for Estate Planning

Who Will Inherit Your Accounts? Why Fall Is the Right Time for Estate Planning

Posted by | Oct 26, 2026 | , , |

October often brings a natural lull before the holiday rush takes over. While most people associate autumn financial planning with broad year-end checklists, tackling one specific housekeeping task right now can prevent massive complications later. Reviewing who is set to receive your financial assets is one of the most powerful estate planning moves you can make. A thorough beneficiary designation review ensures your money goes where you intend. Many account holders assume a standard will handles everything after they pass away, but that is not how these accounts work. The names listed on your financial forms control who gets...

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Auditing Workplace Benefits Ahead of Fall Open Enrollment

Auditing Workplace Benefits Ahead of Fall Open Enrollment

Posted by | Sep 30, 2026 | , |

Most professionals treat company benefits as a set-it-and-forget-it administrative exercise. When open enrollment forms arrive each fall, it feels convenient to click through last year’s choices and move on with your workday. That habit quietly leaves real money on the table. September is the right moment to look at your pay stubs, health costs, and insurance elections before enrollment windows open and rush your decisions. Thoughtful choices around healthcare accounts, supplemental policies, and tax shelters can reshape your broader cash flow for the coming year. Evaluating Healthcare Coverage: Standard Plans Compared to HDHPs The core decision for most households...

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Estimated Quarterly Taxes for Freelancers and Self-Employed New Yorkers: What You Need to Know Before September 15

Estimated Quarterly Taxes for Freelancers and Self-Employed New Yorkers: What You Need to Know Before September 15

Posted by | Aug 21, 2026 | |

If you freelance, run your own business, or earn any income outside of a traditional W-2 job, you already know that taxes don’t just happen once a year. The IRS and New York State both require you to pay as you go. That means paying estimated quarterly taxes four times a year. The Q3 deadline falls on September 15, and August is a good time to get ahead of it. Here’s what to know. Who Needs to Pay Estimated Quarterly Taxes? You generally need to make estimated tax payments if you expect to owe at least $1,000 in federal...

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How to Review Your Tax Withholding Mid-Year

How to Review Your Tax Withholding Mid-Year

Posted by | Jul 30, 2026 | |

Most people only think about taxes when filing season arrives. By then, there is not much you can do to change what happened during the previous year. A mid-year tax withholding review gives you the chance to make adjustments while there is still plenty of time to affect your tax bill. If your income or personal situation has changed during the first half of the year, your current withholding may no longer be accurate. Taking a few minutes to review it now can help you avoid an unexpected balance due or an oversized refund next spring. Understanding the Role...

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Marriage and Money: Financial Planning Tips for Newlyweds

Marriage and Money: Financial Planning Tips for Newlyweds

Posted by | Jun 30, 2026 | , , |

June is known as wedding season, and for many couples, it marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter. While planning a wedding often takes center stage, the financial decisions that follow can have a lasting impact on a couple’s future. Financial planning for newlyweds creates an opportunity to establish healthy habits, improve communication, and build a shared vision for the years ahead. The earlier couples address financial topics, the easier it becomes to navigate major life events together. Should Newlyweds Combine Finances? One of the first questions many couples face is whether to combine finances. There is no...

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