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Carpenter Financial Services Recognized as "Simply the Best"
Carpenter Financial Services has been voted The Tribune Democrat's "Simply the Best" Financial Planner in the Greater Johnstown area for 2023. We extend our sincere gratitude to our clients, friends, and partners who voted for us again.
Read MorePro tip: apply for Medicare early.
If you’re like most of us, you’ve probably been thinking about your health quite a bit lately — especially if you’re approaching retirement. When it comes to your health, Medicare may be an important part of your retirement strategy.
Read MoreLeave a Lasting Legacy
Legacy planning is an essential step that many people overlook when it comes to financial planning. It involves developing a strategy for how you want to pass on your assets, values and beliefs to your loved ones after you are gone.
Read MoreBringing home a new baby? Are you financially prepared?
Having a baby is an incredible experience, but it can also fill you with financial anxiety. Developing a solid financial plan now will help you provide your baby with the best life possible.
Read MoreDon't Watch The Markets Too Closely
Avoid riding Wall Street’s daily roller-coaster so we can focus on what’s ahead.
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Carpenter Financial Services Receives National Recognition as an Elite Firm
Joseph and Samuel Carpenter, co-owners of Carpenter Financial Services, were recognized as an Elite firm of Avantax Wealth Management® at the Elite Summit event held recently in London, England.
Read MoreThe best laid plans…
Even the most thought-out financial strategy may need to be adjusted for unexpected events, such as changes to your family life or career, or shifts in your family priorities.
Read MoreHow to Keep Your Identity Safe
In case you didn’t know, June is National Internet Safety Month. With nearly 4 billion people on social media worldwide, plus the risks of using online brokerage and bank accounts, the need for digital security has never been higher.
Read MoreEvolving Enterprise | Carpenter Financial Services, from income taxes to forward-looking retirement
For more than four generations, the Carpenter family’s businesses have included a grocery store, income tax services’ and an accounting firm and a financial planning firm, all in downtown Johnstown.
Read MoreLower the cost of your life insurance.
Here’s a little-known fact that may help you save money on life insurance: when it comes to underwriting, insurance carriers typically rate clients to their closest birthday.
Read MoreCan Life Insurance Help Minimize Taxes for You and Your Family?
As your financial plan becomes more complex, your insurance needs may change with it. When you’re just starting out, the primary focus is often on protecting your family if something should happen to you.
Read MoreJoseph Carpenter Visits Local High School to Teach Financial Literacy
Local financial advisor and co-owner of Carpenter Financial Services Joe Carpenter returns to his alma mater, Bishop McCort Catholic High School, on March 13, 2023 to educate students about personal finance topics.
Read MoreSECURE Act 2.0: An Overview
In the final days of 2022, Congress passed a new set of retirement rules designed to make it easier to contribute to retirement plans and access those funds earmarked for retirement.
Read MoreCarpenter Financial Recognized with Excellence in Business Award
Carpenter Financial was recognized by the Cambria Regional Chamber of Commerce for Excellence in Business at their annual dinner on March 2, 2023.
Read MoreYour 4% Withdrawal Strategy May Not Be Enough
There’s a lot of concern among industry experts about whether the popular 4% withdrawal rule can provide enough income during retirement, but little discussion on the important role taxes play in how much cash you will actually have on hand
Read MoreSaving Early & Letting Time Work for You
As a young investor, you have a powerful ally on your side: time. When you start investing in your twenties or thirties for retirement, you can put it to work for you.
Read MoreA Financial Review in Early 2023 Can Optimize Your Strategy
Look to build savings, reduce risk, minimize taxes and ensure a successful retirement by reviewing your budget, contributions, allocations and beneficiaries.
Read MoreBefore You Claim Social Security
Whether you want to leave work at 62, 67, or 72, claiming the retirement benefits you are entitled to by federal law is no casual decision. You will want to consider a few key factors first.
Read MoreKeeping it in Perspective
Keeping it all in perspective can be tough at times, but this is one of the many reasons you aren’t going it alone. When times seem turbulent, it’s good to have someone to reach out to who can help you keep that big picture in mind.
Read MoreCarpenter Financial Services Attends Avantax Wealth Management’s National Conference
Financial Advisor Joseph A. Carpenter, along with Wealth Management Assistants Heather McClelland, Lisa Wirfel, and Michelle Maksymik of Carpenter Financial Services joined 1,100 Financial Professionals, Educational Partners...
Read MoreNew Retirement Contribution Limits for 2023
The Internal Revenue Service has released new limits for the coming year. After months of high inflation and financial uncertainty, some of these cost-of-living-based adjustments have reached near-record levels. Individual Retirement...
Read MoreRetirement is around the corner. Is your financial plan on track?
You’re at that age when you find yourself thinking more and more about retirement. It’s really not that far away.
Read MoreFive Savings Secrets
There are many ways to start saving, even if you start out small, that can increase your net worth without significantly altering your current quality of life.
Read MoreTraditional Vs. Roth IRA - Do you know the difference?
When it comes to picking an IRA, both traditional and Roth IRAs may play an important role in your retirement strategy. If you have any questions, let’s chat soon about how these products may be a good fit for your goals.
Read MoreManaging the Risk of Outliving Your Money
"What is your greatest retirement fear?" If you ask some pre-retirees this question, "outliving my money" may be one of the top answers. In fact, 42% of workers say they fear outliving their savings and investments.
Read MoreConquering Retirement Challenges for Women
When it comes to retirement, women may face unique obstacles that can make saving for retirement more challenging. Given that women typically live longer than men, retirement money for women may need to stretch even further.
Read MoreThree Ways the Inflation Act Could Impact You
Have you heard? The Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law on Tuesday, August 16. While the $430 billion package includes many provisions, I thought I’d highlight three key areas where you may benefit the most.Tax credits...
Read MoreDon't go it alone.
When markets cycle lower like they have been lately, perspective is critical. If you’re not connected to someone with experience, it can be easy to miss the big picture.
Read MoreCarpenter Financial Services Receives National Recognition as a Top Affiliate
Sam and Joe Carpenter, owners of Carpenter Financial Services, have been recognized as top affiliates of Avantax Wealth Management®.
Read MoreAround the Alleghenies Money Talks - Inflation
Joseph Carpenter of Carpenter Financial Services joined host Christine Strugala for the weekly series Around the Alleghenies Money Talks to discuss rising inflation rates and how they affect money and investments.
Read MoreLife Happens: Why Life Insurance Is a Necessity
If your family relies on your income, it’s critical to consider having enough life insurance to provide for them after you pass away. But too often, life insurance is an overlooked aspect of personal finances. In fact, according...
Read More5 Questions to Ask When Planning for Retirement
Many income sources contribute to your retirement fund. Your retirement plan might include taxable assets like mutual funds and brokerage accounts, tax-deferred assets like IRAs, 401(k) plans, pensions, and nontaxable assets like Roth...
Read MoreIRS Yearly Adjustments for 2022
The start of a new year brings yearly adjustments from the IRS, encompassing more than 60 tax provisions that adjust annually for inflation. Below are some of the changes that stand out the most and could have the broadest impact on...
Read More3 Estate Challenges for Blended Families
Preparing your estate can be complicated, and if you’re a part of a blended family, estate decisions can be even more complex and nuanced. Blended families take on many forms, typically consisting of couples with children from...
Read MoreCarpenter Financial Services Receives Recognition as a Top Affiliate of Avantax Wealth Management
Carpenter Financial Services has been recognized as one of the top affiliates of Avantax Wealth Management®, a leader in tax-advantaged financial planning. Only a handful of Avantax’s more than 3,000 affiliates are awarded...
Read MoreYour 4% Withdrawal Strategy May Not Be Enough
YOUR 4% WITHDRAWAL STRATEGY MAY NOT BE ENOUGH Get the Tax Guidance You Need to Help Live the Retirement You Desire There’s a lot of concern among industry experts about whether the popular 4% withdrawal rule can provide enough income...
Read MoreCarpenter Financial Services Visits Local High School to Teach Financial Literacy
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Is Inflation Peaking?
You see it in prices at the grocery store and the gas station. You feel it in your monthly budget. So why don’t the financial markets seem too concerned about inflation?Remember, financial markets are considered...
Read More2022 Contribution Limits
Preparing for retirement just got a little more financial wiggle room. This week, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced new contribution limits for 2022.Staying put for 2022 are traditional Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs)...
Read MoreReady for Medicare Open Enrollment?
Medicare’s annual open enrollment period begins October 15 and ends December 7. During this time, current Medicare beneficiaries have the option to adjust their coverage for the coming year. Any changes to your plan will go into...
Read MoreKnow your 401(k) options between jobs
Few life events are more stressful than a job loss. If you or someone you know is in this situation due to COVID-19, you’ll likely have several questions about job hunting, unemployment insurance, and health care. You may also...
Read MoreSeptember Is National Life Insurance Awareness Month
September is National Life Insurance Awareness Month, so it’s a great time to review your coverage.1 If you don’t have any life insurance, you’re not alone. Life insurance is one of those “someday” things...
Read MoreTeenage Wage-Land
Summer jobs are a perennial aspect of the American workforce. It’s a time when teenagers are filling out applications and, in many cases, earning wages of their own for the first time. But some of what we’ve become...
Read MoreAre You Ready for the Second Act of the S.E.C.U.R.E. Act?
Recently, you may have seen headlines regarding the Securing a Strong Retirement Act, also referred to as the second version of the SECURE Act, or SECURE Act 2.0.As the bill moves from the House of Representatives to the Senate, many...
Read MoreA 6.1% Bump in Social Security?
The news keeps getting better for Social Security recipients.It's now projected that benefits will increase 6.1% in 2022, up from the 4.7% forecast just two months ago. That would be the most significant increase since 1983.1...
Read MoreEconomic Lessons from Used-Car Inflation
Inflation is defined as the general upward price movement of goods and services in an economy. The key word is “general.” Inflation tends to be uneven and affects the price of some items more than others. If you’ve...
Read MoreJohnstown Financial Advisors Named to Premier Advisors' Forum
Brothers Sam and Joe Carpenter, have been named to the Avantax Wealth ManagementSM Premier Advisors’ Forum, which recognizes the top 75 financial professionals out of more than 3,000 across the country affiliated with the...
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