FOUNDER
Carnell Moore
EDITOR/CONTRIBUTORS
Carnell Moore
Jordan Moore
Erika Giovanetti
Sara Walton
Jane McGuire
ADVISORY BOARD
US Army Major General
Dr. Linda Singh
US Air Force Brigadier General
Wayne A. Wright
US Marine Colonel
David D. Scott
US Coast Guard Commander
Jan M. Tjomsland
US Army Colonel
Sedrick L. Jackson Inc. 500 & BE 100
Monte A. Edwards
Chief Anesthesiologist
Dr. Albert Kabemba
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P.O. Box 341064 Tampa, FL 33694-1064
The tax increase set for 2026 is primarily due to the expiration of the individual tax cuts established by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017. This expiration will have significant effects on the middle class. Here are the key points:
1. Individual Income Tax Rates: Tax rates for individuals will revert to pre-TCJA levels, meaning higher taxes for many middle-class families. For example, a single mother of two earning $52,000 could face a $1,500 tax increase, while a married couple with two children earning $85,000 might see their tax bill increase by over $1,700 per year (Congressman Vern Buchanan) (Investopedia).
2. Standard Deduction and Personal Exemption: The standard deduction will be cut approximately in half, and the personal
exemption, which was eliminated under the TCJA, will return. This will effectively reduce the amount of income that is tax-free, increasing taxable income for many middleclass households (Tax Policy Center).
3. Child Tax Credit: The child tax credit, which was doubled under the TCJA, will be reduced. This change will result in higher taxes for families with children (Tax Policy Center).
4. Pass-Through Business Deduction: The 20% deduction for pass-through businesses, which benefits many small business owners, will expire. This could increase the tax burden on small businesses, many of which are owned by middle-class individuals (Tax Policy Center).
5. Estate Tax Exemption: The estate tax
exemption will be reduced, potentially affecting middle-class families with significant assets (Tax Policy Center).
Overall, the expiration of the TCJA provisions will lead to higher taxes for most families unless Congress takes action to extend these tax cuts. However, here are a few steps you can take to mitigate the potential financial impact:
1. Increase Retirement Contributions: Contributing more to retirement accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs can reduce taxable income. Contributions to traditional IRAs and 401(k)s are tax-deductible, lowering your taxable income now and potentially deferring taxes until retirement when you might be in a lower tax bracket (NewRetirement) (Congressman Vern Buchanan).
2. Consider Roth Conversions: If you expect to be in a higher tax bracket in the future, converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA might be beneficial. Although you'll pay taxes on the converted amount now, withdrawals in retirement will be tax-free (Investopedia).
3. Utilize Tax-Advantaged Accounts: Take advantage of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) if you're eligible. Contributions are taxdeductible, grow tax-free, and can be used tax-free for qualified medical expenses (NewRetirement).
Review and Adjust Withholdings: Check your tax withholdings and adjust them if necessary. The goal is to avoid owing a large amount at tax time or having too much withheld, which could be used more effectively elsewhere (NewRetirement).
5. Maximize Deductions and Credits: Keep
track of potential deductions and credits, such as the mortgage interest deduction, state and local tax deductions, and educational credits. These can help reduce your taxable income (Congressman Vern Buchanan) (Tax Policy Center).
6. Estate Planning: Review your estate plan in light of the reduced estate tax exemption. Consider strategies such as gifting to heirs during your lifetime to reduce the taxable estate (Tax Policy Center).
7. Small Business Planning: If you own a small business, consult with a tax professional to explore options like changing the business structure or taking advantage of available deductions and credits before the pass-through business deduction expires (Tax Policy Center).
8. Stay Informed and Seek Professional Advice: Tax laws can change, and staying informed about potential changes is crucial. Consult with a tax advisor or financial planner to develop a personalized strategy based on your specific situation (NewRetirement) (Tax Policy Center).
Taking these proactive steps can help manage the impact of the 2026 tax increase and position you for a more secure financial future.
Article by Vital Guidance.
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If your company doesn’t have a program currently in place to give back or if some of your former volunteer ideas need a refresh here are some great initiatives to help give back to your community:
You don’t have to be a mega-corporation to sponsor a charity. Whether you have 5 employees or 500 employees, any company is well-equipped to sponsor a charity with enough hands on deck. For example, bring your company together to sponsor a local bike race, 5k, or marathon that supports a charitable organization. In addition to donating funds and bringing awareness to a great cause, participating in a marathon or event is a fantastic way to bring your team together.
With so many in need, it can be easy to overcommit and want to participate in several different charitable organizations simultaneously. However, it is typically best to focus on where you feel your contributions can make the biggest impact and leverage your unique talents and skills to benefit others. Catchafire offers a platform for individuals to volunteer their time and skillset to nonprofits online. Volunteers can sign up for an account and donate their time virtually to help charitable organizations achieve their goals.
Community days are a great way to get employees out of the office or house (for those who work remotely) and come
together to bond while helping others. While meeting together safely amid COVID-19 can be challenging, there are several outdoor activities that allow employees to maintain a safe distance while giving back. Some ideas include serving meals at an outdoor food drive, participating in a park cleanup, or hosting an outdoor workshop that helps those in need learn a valuable skill.
Like organizing community days, team volunteer events are another great way to give back while helping your team come together. Draper and Kramer participates in two large charitable events each year for the Greater Chicago Food Pantry and for a school supply campaign. Draper and Kramer employees volunteer to help sort and ship out food for the food drive, as well as make backpacks with school supplies for children each year.
Gather a list of charitable organizations and have your employees vote on which one they would like to support or select an organization that has meaning to you. Encourage employees to donate to the cause
and offer donation matching to incentivize larger contributions. If employees are comfortable sharing how much they are donating, create a visual chart that displays donation amounts and how close you are to attaining a certain monetary goal.
If there is a 5k or bike race happening in your area, consider donating water bottles or hats to participants to help offset the cost of the event for the organization. In addition to helping the organization, providing branded products with your logo and contact information is a great way to advertise your company.
Supporting small, locally owned businesses is a great way to give back to the community. As a property manager or landlord, demonstrating your dedication to your community shows your residents that you care about the area where your properties are located and are genuinely invested in helping small businesses grow and thrive. It is very likely that many of your current or prospective residents are small business owners, so partnering with them to help their small businesses grow and thrive is a strong incentive for them to continue renting through your company.
Although many employees are working from home right now, if you have employees working out of an office, setting up a donation jar is a great way to collect funds for those in need. If you are working remotely, include a link in your email signature to a GoFundMe fundraiser or some other online collection site.
9. Donate Office Space
If you have several empty offices available due to employees currently working from home, offer to donate your vacant space to a non-profit in need of meeting space. While many non-profits are also working from home currently, having the option to go to a designated office space and get out of the house for several hours can make a significant impact on a non-profit member’s productivity. Some non-profits need conference rooms to meet with donors, so offering your space can make a significant impact.
Holiday drives and donation events are easy ways for time-strapped teams to give back, as they often are not as time-intensive, yet make a great impact on those in need. A holiday drive can involve setting up a day where employees can donate clothing, books, canned goods, and other items through a food or clothing drive.
Draper and Kramer is committed to supporting the communities that we serve. To read more about our history of community involvement and giving, as well as our ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion, visit our website at https://draperandkramer.com/
Both AI and wearable technology in healthcare have led to major changes in our approach to patient care, diagnostics, emergency response, and medical research. However, once these two were combined, they triggered a truly revolutionary era in the healthcare industry.
Artificial intelligence and wearable technology have turned out to be a perfect match. While wearables collect medical data, AI solutions analyze and interpret it in real time, which enables medical professionals and patients to embrace a proactive approach to healthcare.
The impact of these technologies is becoming especially noticeable with wearable technology evolving and becoming more diverse, as well as AI solutions rapidly getting
smarter thanks to the use of deep learning techniques, neural networks, and reinforcement learning.
In this article, we delve into the benefits and use cases of AI-powered wearable technology in healthcare. Additionally, based on our own experience, we share tips and tricks on how healthcare organizations can integrate it into their day-to-day operations and leverage the power of this tech trend.
The competitive advantage is not the only reason healthcare organizations and health tech companies invest in AI-powered wearables. In fact, there is a wide range of game-changing benefits for patients, doctors,
and other healthcare professionals (HCPs) that drive the popularity of this technology. Let’s go over the most significant of them.
Modern technology trends, including AI wearables, have been pushing medicine from a reactive to a proactive and preventive approach. To be more specific, wearable technology helps continuously monitor users’ health, detect any abnormalities and potential hazards at early stages, and connect patients with HCPs for timely intervention.
This is possible thanks to the use of AI algorithms that analyze patterns and trends in the data collected by wearables. As a result, healthcare providers can enhance care delivery and help their patients avoid critical medical situations. This is especially effective when dealing with conditions like cardiac arrhythmias, sleep apnea, and chronic diseases like diabetes.
AI wearable devices can continuously monitor and analyze a wide range of vital signs and health parameters, including heart rate, blood pressure, ECG/EKG signals, oxygen saturation, blood glucose, sleep patterns, and activity and movement patterns.
This allows patients to receive more efficient remote care services since AI wearables enhance telemedicine by gathering objective valuable data for remote consultations. As a result, healthcare organizations can provide healthcare services to people in remote areas or those with limited mobility.
among patients has shifted toward proactive health self-management, meaning they want to gain more control of their health conditions. AI-powered wearables provide patients with access to real-time data and valuable personalized insights, helping them stay informed and encouraged.
At the same time, as healthcare facilities are dealing with staff shortages, especially nurse shortages, AI wearable devices can help decrease staff workload by enabling remote monitoring and even reducing the need for personal visits and hospitalization. And since burnout is among the top reasons for HCPs quitting, a more adequate workload can help healthcare organizations slow down the staff shortage problem.
As we’ve established, AI-powered wearable technology helps improve diagnostic processes, minimize the need for expensive medical interventions and emergency services, and reduce in-person visits.
Moreover, such devices help streamline healthcare processes by automating certain tasks and helping HCPs prioritize cases more efficiently. Naturally, all this leads to reduced medical costs for both patients and healthcare providers.
Artificial intelligence and wearables have been intertwined to get us one step closer to a truly patient-centered, proactive, and accessible healthcare system. By leveraging the power of these technologies, healthcare organizations and health tech companies get a significant competitive advantage and, most importantly, enhance the quality of the services they provide.
Our community foundation and charitable efforts focus on relationships, health, and finance. Please read about our three focus areas and donate to the one that’s most important to you. We can also create a personal charitable fund just for you to help others. Give us a call at 813-679-5624 to learn more.
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People with money have problems, and people with no money have problems. The biggest difference is one group can afford help while others deal with even more pressure of how to get help from licensed professionals. Support our mission to provide vital guidance to individuals who need self or relationship help by providing discounted or free access to professionals.
Our Animal Care Fund supports the only doctors educated to protect the health of both animals and people – veterinarians. We help them provide vital guidance to financially challenged communities and reservations throughout the United States and abroad. Support our mission to educate animal lovers about the care of their pets and farm animals with a donation.
Because we all are different, we will handle our finances differently. However, there are some basic things that everyone should know about finances. Our financial literacy fund supports teaching those basic skills in classrooms and communities so that everyone can enjoy spending some, saving some, and giving some away to help others live a better life.
Maintaining a happy relationship involves a combination of communication, mutual respect, and shared goals. While there's no one-size-fits-all formula, here are some key components that can help make and sustain a happy and healthy relationship:
• Open and Honest Dialogue: Share thoughts, feelings, and concerns openly.
• Active Listening: Listen attentively and empathetically to your partner's perspective.
• Regular Check-ins: Schedule time to discuss the relationship and any issues that may arise.
• Value Each Other's Opinions: Respect each other's viewpoints and differences.
• Appreciation and Gratitude: Regularly express appreciation for each other.
• Boundaries: Respect personal space and boundaries.
• Honesty: Be truthful and transparent in your actions.
• Reliability: Follow through on promises and commitments.
• Faithfulness: Maintain loyalty and fidelity.
• Shared Activities: Engage in activities you both enjoy.
• Date Nights: Set aside regular time for romantic outings.
• Unplugged Time: Spend time together without distractions from devices.
• Empathy: Show understanding and compassion during tough times.
• Encouragement: Support each other's goals and dreams.
• Affection: Demonstrate love through physical touch, words, and gestures.
• Stay Calm: Approach conflicts calmly and respectfully.
• Problem-Solving: Work together to find solutions rather than placing blame.
• Compromise: Be willing to give and take to reach mutual agreements.
• Common Interests: Cultivate shared hobbies and interests.
• Life Goals: Align on long-term goals and aspirations.
Core Values: Ensure your fundamental values and beliefs are compatible.
8. Independence
• Personal Growth: Encourage each other's individual growth and development.
• Hobbies and Friends: Maintain hobbies and friendships outside the relationship.
• Self-Care: Take care of your own well-being to be a better partner.
9. Fun and Spontaneity
• Laughter: Find humor in everyday life and share laughter.
• Surprises: Surprise each other with small, thoughtful gestures.
• Adventure: Try new experiences together to keep the relationship exciting.
10. Physical Intimacy
• Affection: Regularly express physical affection, such as hugging, kissing, and holding hands.
• Intimacy: Maintain a healthy and fulfilling sexual relationship.
• Communication About Needs: Discuss and respect each other’s needs and boundaries regarding physical intimacy.
11. Patience and Understanding
• Forgiveness: Be willing to forgive and move past mistakes.
• Patience: Understand that relationships require time and effort to grow.
• Acceptance: Accept each other’s imperfections and focus on positive qualities.
The formula for a happy relationship isn't rigid but rather a dynamic interplay of communication, respect, trust, quality time, emotional support, conflict resolution, shared goals, independence, fun, physical intimacy, and patience. Each relationship is unique, so it's essential to adapt these principles to fit your specific context and continuously nurture the bond with your partner.
Article By Vital Guidance.
Opening game day for Colorado Football in 2023 was like nothing we had ever seen. All the hype around new Head Coach Deion Sanders, with the slogan “We’re Coming,” led a team that won only one game the previous year, going up against a highly ranked TCU. Well, we all learned that the Buffaloes were no longer coming they were here!
Coach Prime is still building the team and brand of what Colorado football is about. He has a son and Heisman hopeful, Shedeur Sanders, who will drive the offense at QB, and a one-of-a-kind player named Travis Hunter, who elevates the team's offense and defense.
However, all eyes will be on Hunter when the 2024 college football season kicks off. Known for his rare ability to excel on both sides of the ball as a wide receiver and cornerback, Hunter's versatility and skill set have positioned him as a strong contender for the prestigious Heisman Trophy. Here's the journey and his chances of winning college football's most coveted award.
Travis Hunter arrived in Colorado as one of the most highly touted recruits in recent memory. His decision to follow Coach Deion Sanders from Jackson State to Boulder made
Indexed universal life insurance (IUL) and 401(k) plans offer different benefits, each catering to specific financial needs and retirement planning objectives. IUL retirement plans combine life insurance with investment growth potential, providing a death benefit and the opportunity for taxfree income. A 401(k) is an employersponsored retirement plan that emphasizes long-term savings with potential employermatching contributions and tax advantages.
Both IUL retirement accounts and 401(k) plans provide unique advantages. Deciding which option is better between the two requires careful consideration of various factors such as your risk tolerance, financial situation and long-term goals.
Indexed universal life insurance (IUL) is a financial product that combines the security of life insurance with the growth potential of investment. As a type of permanent life insurance, IUL provides a death benefit to beneficiaries, ensuring financial protection for loved ones.
Here's what sets IUL apart:
- Cash Value Component Linked to Stock Index: Unlike traditional life insurance, where the cash value grows at a fixed rate, IUL's cash value is linked to a specific stock market index like the S&P 500. This market connection offers the opportunity for higher returns based on the performance of the chosen index.
- Protection Against Market Losses: A unique feature of IUL is its safeguard against market downturns. Even if the index performs poorly, the cash value will not decrease, providing a safety net for the investment.
- Flexibility in Premium Payments: IUL allows adjustments in premium payments, offering flexibility to meet changing financial circumstances.
- Potential for Tax-Free Income: IUL's structure enables strategic tax reduction, making it an attractive option for high-networth individuals.
- Versatility as an Investment Vehicle: Whether seeking to build wealth, supplement retirement income or pass assets to heirs' tax-efficiently, you can tailor your IUL to your individual financial goals.
These attributes make IUL a compelling choice for those evaluating life insurance and 401(k) options.
A 401(k) is a widely recognized employersponsored retirement savings plan designed to help employees invest in their future. Here's how a 401(k) works:
• Employer-Sponsored: Set up by employers, a 401(k) offers a convenient way for employees to save for retirement directly from their paycheck. This setup is particularly appealing compared to options like an IUL savings account, which requires managing individual premiums.
• Investment Options: Employees can choose from a range of investment options, tailoring their portfolio to align with their risk tolerance and financial goals.
• Employer Matching: Many employers offer to match contributions up to a certain percentage, sometimes doubling the investment.
• Tax Advantages: Contributions are made with pre-tax dollars, reducing the current taxable income. The funds then grow taxdeferred until withdrawal in retirement.
Unlike a traditional savings account, a 401(k) allows employees to invest in various financial instruments, including stocks and mutual funds.
When comparing indexed universal life insurance and 401(k) plans, you should consider each option's distinct features and benefits. Generally, the decision between
utilizing an IUL retirement plan or investing in a 401(k) depends on financial needs and goals.
Understanding the key differences between the two can guide investors toward the best choice for their financial security and retirement needs. Here's a detailed comparison to help you navigate these two potential investment options:
- Taxation: IUL stands out for its tax-free growth and withdrawals, allowing investors to access funds without incurring taxes. Your 401(k) contributions grow tax-deferred, meaning you pay taxes upon withdrawal. This difference can significantly impact the net returns and withdrawal strategies.
- Investment Risk: IUL offers a safety net by protecting against market losses and ensuring that the cash value does not decrease even if the market underperforms. On the other hand, 401(k) investments are directly tied to market performance,
exposing investors to potential risks and fluctuations.
- Accessibility: IUL provides flexibility in accessing funds without penalties, offering more control over the investment. Conversely, 401(k) plans impose restrictions and penalties for accessing funds before age 59.5, limiting early withdrawal options.
- Contribution Limits: While IUL allows for higher contribution flexibility without specific annual limits, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) caps 401(k) contributions. This difference can influence how much you can invest and how quickly you can grow your savings.
- Death Benefits: IUL includes a death benefit, providing financial protection to beneficiaries upon the insured's death. A 401(k), solely a retirement savings plan, does not include any death benefit, focusing on the account holder's financial needs.
- Cost: Due to its combined insurance and investment structure, IUL may incur higher fees and premiums. 401(k) plans often have lower administrative costs, making them a cost-effective option for retirement savings.
How to Choose Between Indexed Universal Life and 401(k) Plans
Choosing between life insurance and a 401(k) for retirement is a decision that requires you to consider your financial situation, retirement goals, risk tolerance and the need for flexibility.
You May Want to Choose Indexed Universal Life Over a 401(k) If:
• You seek tax-free growth and withdrawals.
• You want protection against market losses.
• You desire more control over contributions and withdrawals.
• You value the added security of a death benefit.
You May Want to Choose a 401(k) Over Indexed Universal Life If:
• You want to take advantage of employermatching contributions.
• You prefer a variety of investment options.
• You are focused on long-term retirement savings with tax advantages.
• You seek a more cost-effective retirement savings plan.
As you weigh the differences between IUL and 401(k) plans, consider how the above factors apply to your needs and your financial goals. Please call us at 813-6795624 to learn more.
Article By MoneyGeek
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