Insights
Year-End Planning Guide: Key Financial Steps to Consider Before December 31
As the end of the year approaches, now is an ideal time to review your financial picture and make strategic decisions that can strengthen your long-term wealth plan. Thoughtful year-end planning can help optimize your taxes, protect...
Read MoreYear-End Tax Planning
It always seems like the end of the year sneaks up on us so fast; however, it makes for the perfect time to take a look at your tax situation. We get it! Taxes are not the most exciting topic, but a few smart moves now, can make a huge...
Read MoreNavigating Retirement Pitfalls
The article highlights key financial challenges for retirees, such as Social Security, medical costs, longevity, withdrawals, taxes, and college funding, stressing the need for professional advice in retirement planning.
Read MoreNew Retirement Contribution Limits for 2025
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released new limits for certain retirement accounts for the coming year. Keep in mind that this update is for informational purposes only, so please consult with an accounting or tax professional...
Read More5 Essential Year-End Money Moves
The end of the year is prime time to reflect on whether you've met your financial goals. Some examples include repaying debt, saving for college, or building an emergency fund. Giving your finances a year-end checkup can help get you...
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Tax-Smart Retirement Strategies for Your 70s and Beyond
As you enter your mid-70s, you're likely looking forward to enjoying the fruits of your labor – whether it’s traveling, spending time with family or simply relaxing.
Read MoreRetirement Readiness in Your 60s
As you enter retirement in your 60s, you’re not just closing a chapter—you’re opening a new book. This is a time filled with both excitement and uncertainty. After decades of working, saving and planning, you may find yourself asking,...
Read MorePreparing for Retirement After Age 50
Turning 50 is a significant milestone, and it’s the perfect time to evaluate your plan for retirement and get serious about preparing for the future. Here are a few important steps you should take as you enter your 50s:
Read MoreWealth Management Spotlight: Smart Strategies for Year-Round Tax Planning
Hear from Dan Machnik, Mike Dempsey and Russ Dempsey on the importance of ongoing, year-round tax planning in our latest video.
Read MoreFinancial Planning for Major Life Events
Big life changes can put a strain on your finances, and without a plan, you risk missing out on opportunities to save. Here are four milestone life events and a financial checklist to help navigate turning points.
Read MoreSteps to Take in Your 30s and 40s to Prepare for Retirement
Retirement may seem like a distant milestone when you're in your 30s or 40s, but the truth is that the decisions you make during these decades can significantly impact your financial security in later years.
Read MoreThe Importance of Tax Planning
Tax season is behind us for another year, and while you may want to forget about your taxes until next spring, you may not know that this is the optimal time to begin planning for next year’s tax season to reduce your tax liability.
Read MoreNavigating New BOI Reporting Requirements: Protect Your Business and Avoid Penalties
There are new Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting requirements that have taken effect in 2024, and it’s important to understand the nuances of the regulations to ensure compliance and avoid penalties.
Read MoreWhy the Best Financial Goals Have Long-Term Perspective
Keeping a long-term perspective is key for staying on the right track toward your financial goals. Here are a few reasons why.
Read MoreAdrian-Based Firm Joins Willis & Machnik
We are thrilled to announce that Dempsey & Dempsey Financial Services, based in Adrian, Michigan, has merged with Willis & Machnik Financial Services.
Read MoreWillbee Transit-Mix Co.: Investing in People to Preserve a Legacy
Willbee Transit-Mix Co. chose Willis & Machnik Financial Services to provide a 401(k) plan for its employees. Since then, they’ve had peace of mind knowing that their plan was being administered by a tax-intelligent partner.
Read MoreHow a Financial Advisor Can Strengthen Your Nonprofit
Nonprofit organizations can have complex financial challenges, from managing endowments to raising funds for their cause to investing in their staff’s future with a business retirement plan.
Read MoreTools to Maintain Financial Wellness
While money can’t buy happiness, in my years of experience, I’ve witnessed it buy a lot of peace of mind. Finances and health are interconnected on a variety of levels.
Read MoreThe Clock is Ticking on Estate Tax Changes
New changes are coming for estate and gift tax exclusions. Unless Congress takes action, the current limits are set to sunset at the end of 2025. While that timeline might seem far away, the time to act is now.
Read MoreWhy it Pays to Have Your Financial Advisor Collaborate with Your CPA
We believe collaborating with CPAs when advising our clients is crucial in wealth management. It helps us focus not only on what you earn, but what you keep. Tax planning is year-round, and often accompanies major life transitions.
Read MoreEstablishing an Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plan
Business owners know they need to offer a retirement plan as part of their comprehensive benefits package. But if you aren’t working with a financial advisor to manage your workplace retirement plan, you're likely missing key benefits.
Read MoreRemembering Tom Masters
It is with heavy hearts that we announce that our friend and colleague, Tom Masters, passed from this life on Monday, May 15, 2023, following a battle with cancer.
Read MoreWealth Management Spotlight: 4 Succession Planning Paths
Hear from Founder and Wealth Management Advisor Pat Willis and Managing Partner Dan Machnik as they share their personal journey in planning for the future of Willis & Machnik Financial Services.
Read MoreThree Benefits of Working with a Financial Advisor
While the idea of financial investing and wealth management might seem daunting, hiring a financial advisor could be the most important investment you make in planning for your financial security.
Read MoreThe Impact of Private Family Foundations
A Q&A with Dan Machnik and Pat Willis: Because my mother and her husband, Phil, created a foundation to allow our family to give back to the city of Jackson, I spoke to her about the impact of private family foundations.
Read MoreStrategies to Manage Positive Cash Flow and Improve Your Business’s Profitability
Ask any small business owner their biggest source of stress, and the majority will say cash flow. But, if you are part of the fortunate minority that has a positive cash flow with plenty in reserve, that’s a great problem to have.
Read MoreFinancial Wellness Goals for Business Owners
At the start of a new year, many people are making resolutions to set a budget, get organized or improve their health. But what about the health of your business? For business owners, a new year is a good opportunity to start fresh.
Read MoreYear-End Tax Strategies to Consider
Although 2022 is coming to a close, there is still time to reduce your tax bill. As the new year approaches, here are some year-end strategies to consider.
Read MoreFour Tax-Smart Charitable Giving Strategies
What would you do with a charitable investment account dedicated to supporting the causes you care about most and leaving a legacy you and your family can be proud of?
Read MoreThe History of Stock Market Performance Surrounding Midterm Elections
We’re just weeks away from midterm elections in the United States. Many people fear that volatility is influenced by which political party is in (or comes into) power, and that’s not the case.
Read MoreHow Business Owners Can Plan for the Unexpected
We understand estate planning is a tough conversation to navigate, but let’s face it, it’s a critical topic. Growing generational wealth requires proper planning and protection of your assets.
Read MorePractical Budgeting for a Profitable Business
If you own a business, you know the success of your company starts with a crystal-clear vision and a carefully crafted budget to make it a reality. A budget is an essential planning tool for estimating your business's future revenue,...
Read MoreMichael England Named Partner at W&M
With great pride and gratitude for his years of service to the firm, we are excited to announce Wealth Management Advisor Mike England’s promotion to Partner!
Read MoreStrategies Business Owners can Deploy to Pay for Children’s College
Raising kids – much like owning a business – is full of ups and downs. From the time your children were young, you’ve likely been anticipating the day they head off to college and that significant expense has loomed...
Read MoreA Tax-Smart way to save for Health Care Expenses
Healthcare can be one of the priciest yet essential parts of life’s journey. And yet, many struggle to utilize the financial tools that may help. Take Health Saving Accounts (HSAs), for example. A Health Saving Account (HSA) is...
Read MoreInflation Proof Way to Save for Summer Vacation
With Summer just around the corner, now is the time to plan your next adventure! We understand getting away can be expensive, with high inflation as a cause for concern. Whether you are having a staycation this summer or traveling to a...
Read MoreGuiding you Through Volatile Markets
Global unrest, inflation, energy costs it’s understandable that you might be wondering what’s coming next, and how it will impact your financial goals. Market swings are a normal part of investing, and one of the main...
Read MoreBalancing Capital Gains with Tax Loss Harvesting
Wealth management through a tax-focused lens should be applied across nearly all financial decisions you make — including investing, retirement spending, social security planning, and transferring wealth.
Read MoreFinancial Literacy Month
It is officially springtime, and the month of April is an ideal time to review your finances and change course as needed to meet the yearly financial goals you set at the beginning of the year. April is also Financial Literacy Month, a...
Read MoreWeathering Volatile Markets
Interest rates. Inflation Fears. Political Events. International Developments. During the past year, every one of these events have influenced stock prices. So, when you hear that the financial markets are reacting to the news once...
Read MoreTop Affiliate Firm with Avantax Wealth Management Award
Willis and Machnik has been recognized as one of the top affiliates of Avantax Wealth Management®. We are here because of the work we do with our wonderful clients. They have helped us reach this position by challenging us to discover
Read MoreFinancial Compatibility with your Spouse
Getting married is one of the most significant life decisions a person makes. You should not go into a marriage unless you are confident that you have chosen the right partner. The decision to get married is very personal. To find...
Read MoreGet Financially Fit!
The New Year is a great time to start fresh. Whether your goal is to be more organized, improve your physical fitness, or create a budget for future savings, now is the time to start your momentum for 2022.
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...
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