Tim Daly, CPA, CFP®

Summer has officially turned to fall and we have entered Q4 2024 (hard to believe, right?). With the last few months of the year approaching, the CPA in me starts to shift more focus onto a pivotal part of any good financial plan – year end tax planning. 

While inflation has receded from its historic 40-year peak in 2022, and a volatile equity market has recovered and reached all-time highs (as of June 2024), many investors remain concerned about the potential for a long-lasting inflationary environment and are eager to find attractive investments where they can safeguard their money without it losing value.

For some, that could mean a high-yield savings account or Treasury Bills. As of June 2024, interest rates of high-yield savings accounts are over 4% and 1-12 month T-Bills are paying over 5%. For others, I bonds could be the right option for protecting against inflation.

It all started with a dream. You strive to have a successful life. So you go to college, work hard, find a job, get promoted, and get promoted again. You’ve made it! But where have you gone? 

Being a small business owner or partaking in a side hustle can be a rewarding experience. You can be your own boss, have the freedom to work as you please and can provide products and services that you are passionate about. However, with these freedoms also comes additional responsibilities. You must keep accurate records of all the income and expenses of your business and ensure you are paying taxes on time, which can be a daunting task.