Have you heard of package scams that come right to your door? West Carrollton Police issued a scam warning on social media. They say a “sneak scam” is making the rounds across the country. “It’s called a ‘brushing’ scam, and it’s like getting an unsolicited surprise gift from your not-so-friendly neighborhood trickster!” the department said. “Picture this: you get a random package from Amazon or some mystery shop, filled with shiny goodies like rings, bracelets, or even a Bluetooth speaker. Exciting, right? But wait, there’s no sender info, just your address on the label. Inside, you’ll find a QR code begging to be scanned to unveil the mystery sender.” Scanning the code could lead people to a phishing site. This is where crooks could try to swipe your personal and financial information, the department explained. “You can toss the gift or keep it as a bizarre conversation starter, but whatever you do, don’t scan that QR code!” they added. The concluded if it is a mysterious package, it’s best to leave that QR code alone. The Better Business Bureau and U.S. Postal Service have more about this scam. This story first appeared on
By Chad Roope, CFA®, Chief Investment Officer 2024 was a great year for the U.S. economy and equity markets. A strong economy, led by strong labor markets and significant investments in Artificial Intelligence, equated to double digit corporate earnings growth and thereby strong equity market performance. The U.S. was the clear economic leader globally and was why we had a strong overweight to quality, U.S. large-cap stocks all year. This overweight and our focus on active asset allocation, fundamental research and timely trade communications led to solid performance in our client portfolios in 2024, with most of our strategies strongly outperforming their benchmarks. Our proven process and seasoned team of Chartered Financial Analysts stand ready to navigate what is likely to be a dynamic environment in 2025. We think 2025 may prove to be a more volatile year given several uncertainties and rich starting valuation levels, but we think the year should prove to be a solid overall. Below are our key views: We expect U.S. outperformance compared to the rest of the world to continue amid solid economic growth, strong labor markets, lower inflation levels, a supportive Federal Reserve, and the potential for tax cuts and deregulatory policies. We continue to prefer large-cap, high quality U.S. equities as we think this is where the strongest overall earnings growth will continue to be. In fixed income, we are prioritizing higher income, shorter duration exposures t
By Mark Sipos, LFG Tax Services With the Holiday season behind us, it is time to start thinking about the 2025 tax filing season. Most documents that you will need to compile and file your 2024 tax return will be arriving in your mailbox soon. Before you begin working on your personal income tax return, it’s a good idea to collect and organize your tax documents and related records. The tax preparation checklist included below will help you keep track of the information you will need. While this is not a complete list of items that may be required for your tax return, it will cover the documents and other information needed by most people to file their federal income tax return. Personal Information: Social Security numbers for you, your spouse, and any dependents. Dates of birth for you, your spouse, and any dependents. Bank account routing and account numbers for direct deposits or tax payments. Driver's license for e-filing. Taxes you may have paid: 2024 estimated taxes for federal state, and local tax agencies. Taxes paid in 2024 for amounts due for 2023 tax returns. Real estate taxes. Sales tax paid for large items purchased. Income: W-2s, 1099s for interest and dividends, brokerage year-end tax summaries for investments. 1099Rs for pension and IRA income. Business and rental income received. Gather all related expenses for these types of income as well. K-1's from S-Corporations and Partnerships. State and local
Divorce is a complex journey that requires thoughtful attention to legal, financial, and tax aspects, helping to shape a future aligned with your personal aspirations. Here are some essential factors to keep in mind: Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements play a crucial role in shaping the rights and responsibilities of spouses during a divorce. The prenuptial is created before the wedding, while the postnuptial comes into play afterward. They are especially valuable for couples with unique or complex assets, like collectibles or family business interests. These agreements not only help in valuing and dividing those assets fairly but also promote transparency and a sense of security for both partners as they navigate their future together. Cash flow and budgeting You’ll want to gain a clear picture of your personal and shared financial to help ease the transition. It's important to evaluate your spending, personal budget, additional costs, and income. If you foresee a shortfall, consider options such as adjusting investments, cutting expenses, or rethinking living arrangements to make transitions between homes smoother and more manageable. Tax implications During a divorce, you’ll need to consider how to split your existing assets, like in a property settlement, and any ongoing commitments to or from an ex-spouse, such as alimony or spousal support. Each is different and each may have tax implications. It's essen