I hope you enjoy my conversation with Jamie and Spencer from the Military Money Manual.

More of Baskin Financial Planning:

Download the Ultimate Military Finance Checklist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, with 7 pages of critical things to be thinking about to clarify your journey to financial freedom.

Think you might need some financial help? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Book an intro call with me to see if we would be a mutual fit.

Questions or comments, drop me a note at: erik@baskinfp.com

In this episode, I delve into the important decision of choosing the right savings account for your child's future, a critical step for new parents aiming to ensure financial security for their children. I cover essential account options such as 529 plans, UTMA accounts, taxable brokerage accounts, and Roth IRAs. Using a comprehensive analysis, I demonstrate how to evaluate these options, offering practical examples and considerations. I also explore the tax benefits, flexibility, and impact on financial aid eligibility of each account type. Finally, I highlight how a family's specific financial goals and situation can guide the choice of the most suitable account, stressing the need for tailored advice based on individual circumstances.

Key Takeaways:

• What are the major benefits of a 529 account? What do I do with the account if my child chooses not to go to college?

• What is the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (UTMA) and how can it be used to set my child up for financial success?

• Should I use a taxable brokerage account? What flexibilities would this offer my child?

• How soon can I set up a Roth IRA for my child?

• With all of these accounts, how can I layer them to make the most of my preparation?

Key Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction: Best Accounts to Use for a New Child

(00:37) Exploring Account Options: 529, UTMA, and More

(01:57) 529 Accounts: Benefits and Considerations

(03:41) Taxable Brokerage Accounts: Flexibility and Benefits

(05:53) Roth IRA: Long-Term Savings for Your Child

(06:41) Conclusion: Building a Financial Framework for Your Child

(07:21) Outro and Additional Resources

Key Topics Discussed:

Erik Baskin, Baskin Financial Planning, BLUF, Bottom Line Up Front, The BLUF Finance Podcast, Military Money Manual, veteran finances, family financial planning, college funds, 529 accounts, UTMA, Roth IRA

More of Baskin Financial Planning:

Download the Ultimate Military Finance Checklist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, with 7 pages of critical things to be thinking about to clarify your journey to financial freedom.

Think you might need some financial help? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Book an intro call with me to see if we would be a mutual fit.

Questions or comments, drop me a note at: erik@baskinfp.com

www.baskinfp.com/post/44

I tackle the frequently asked question of whether to buy or rent in a new location, which is especially pertinent for military families or those with jobs requiring frequent relocations. I cover essential considerations such as mortgage interest rates, down payments, and financial health. Using NerdWallet's calculator, I demonstrate how to evaluate these factors, offering a case study of a client's situation. I also explore the impact of interest rates, transaction costs, and the amortization schedule. Lastly, I discuss how financial stability may influence the decision to rent or buy, emphasizing the importance of personalized advice based on one's unique circumstances.

Key Takeaways:

• How long should I stay in a place if I choose to buy?

• How can I take advantage of the different financial tools, like a VA Loan, to help me make my decision?

• How does the interest rate and down payment affect the amortization schedule?

• How to factor in savings, debt rate, and other budgeting factors into a decision to rent or buy a home.

Key Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction: Buy or Rent?

(00:51) Calculating Cost to Rent vs Buy

(01:43) The Impact of Interest Rates

(03:55) Down Payment Considerations

(05:46) Client Case Study

(07:35) Conclusion and Final Thoughts

(08:13) Outro and Additional Resources

Key Topics Discussed:

Erik Baskin, Baskin Financial Planning, BLUF, Bottom Line Up Front, The BLUF Finance Podcast, Military Money Manual, veteran finances, cost to rent, mortgage payments, interest rates, amortization schedule, NerdWallet

Mentions:

https://www.nerdwallet.com/

More of Baskin Financial Planning:

Download the Ultimate Military Finance Checklist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, with 7 pages of critical things to be thinking about to clarify your journey to financial freedom.

Think you might need some financial help? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Book an intro call with me to see if we would be a mutual fit.

Questions or comments, drop me a note at: erik@baskinfp.com

www.baskinfp.com/post/43