Guest Blogger: Kristen Smith

Guest Blogger: Kristen Smith
Kristen is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™ professional at Axial Financial Group with over 15 years of experience working with individuals and their families in all facets of their financial life. For registered representatives: Kristen is a financial consultant located at The Axial Company, 5 Burlington Woods, Suite 102, Burlington, MA 01803. She offers securities as a Registered Representative of Commonwealth Financial Network, Member FINRA/SIPC. She can be reached at 781.273.1400 or CRR, LLP, Axial Financial Group, and Commonwealth Financial Network are separate and unrelated entities.
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Recent Posts

Deferring Gains Through 1031 Exchanges

For individuals who are sitting on large gains in investment or business property, a 1031 exchange may be a viable option for deferring those gains. While these transactions tend to be complex, working with an expert who knows the rules surrounding the exchanges and the options available for replacement property can help you decide if this would be an appropriate step to take.

10 Rules of Thumb for Trust Income Taxation

Rule #1: When in doubt, refer to the trust document; an investment policy for a trust cannot be created without it.
One advantage of creating a trust is that the grantor can have it tailored to his or her needs; therefore, although there may be provisions in common, trust documents vary widely.

529 Plans: Qualified and Non-Qualified Expenses

You’ve put in the hard work of saving for college, and now it’s time to start using those 529 plan assets to help with a family member’s education-related costs. But before you begin withdrawing those funds, it’s important to understand the difference between qualified and nonqualified expenses.

Retirement Countdown: A checklist for the final steps on the road to retirement

There's a lot to consider as you prepare for retirement, so it's wise to begin planning well ahead of time. Once you begin nearing retirement age, the checklists below can help you stay on track for the retirement you have envisioned.

College Planning: How Your Savings Can Impact Financial Aid

If you're like many parents, you may be wondering whether saving too much for college will decrease your child's chances of receiving need-based federal financial aid. Here's an overview of how different types of assets fit into the financial aid equation.



Market Volatility and Your Investing Strategy

Fluctuations in your 401(k) or workplace retirement savings account can stir up negative emotions, making you want to hit the panic button. But in turbulent times, it's more important than ever to remain calm and stay on course toward your long-term retirement savings goals.

7 Tips to Help Smooth Your Job Transition

Starting a new job is exciting, but it can also be stressful, especially when it comes to transitioning your benefits package. I've put together a list of tips to help make this transition as seamless as possible and keep your financial plan on track.

Is a Donor-Advised Fund the Right Option for Your Concentrated Stock?

If you have worked at the same company for a long time, or received a large inheritance, it's likely that a significant portion of your wealth is tied up in a concentrated stock position. While this can certainly have monetary benefits when the company stock is rising, it also comes with a certain level of risk. A concentrated position  means that you are reliant on the success of a single company—while the market as a whole might bounce back from a decline, an individual stock might not. Additionally, selling the entire stock position may result in a large capital gains tax bill.

There are several options for mitigating this risk. If you are charitably inclined, a donor-advised fund may be an attractive solution, because of its ease, convenience, and overall benefits.

Should You Consolidate Your Retirement Accounts?

If you're like most people, you've saved for retirement in multiple ways, including employer plans and individual retirement accounts (IRAs). As you approach retirement, it may make sense to consolidate all of your savings into one account to achieve a coordinated investment plan.