Blog
What’s going on at MRK Financial Solutions? You can read about it in our blog! Whether it’s ideas from the industry, emerging trends, or just to keep you in the loop on what's going on at MRK, you can read about it here. And once in a while, we may throw in some behind-the-scenes office amusement, a movie review or some other surprise. So keep checking in. We’re glad to have you reading along!
Planning for Future Generations
Cultivating lasting wealth that benefits future generations hinges on strategic asset management and planning. Despite cultural sayings warning of wealth dissipating within three generations, a well-crafted approach – one that...
Read MoreBreaking Down SECURE Act 2.0
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, SECURE 2.0. Read about the major provisions.
Read MoreIRS Provides New Retirement Contribution Limits for 2023
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released new limits for certain retirement accounts for 2023. These cost-of-living-based adjustments have reached near-record levels due to months of high inflation and financial uncertainty.
Read MoreThe Potential for Tax Savings with Qualified Charitable Distributions
If you're looking for a tax-saving strategy and you like helping others, consider a qualified charitable distribution (QCD.) A QCD lets you directly transfer tax-deferred retirement savings to a charity tax-free.
Read MoreThe History of Stock Market Performance Surrounding Midterm Elections
Months of stock market ups and downs coupled with rising interest rates and inflation have many Americans feeling fearful as we head into November. However, a quick look at history should do much to calm your nerves.
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Five Areas Business Owners Can Benefit from Holistic Financial Advice
If you own a business, then you know your personal financial picture is closely related to your professional success. Whether you are a small or large business owner – it’s essential to collaborate with a holistic financial...
Read MoreAre You Part of the Great Resignation? Here’s What to Consider
Have you considered a career change, early retirement, or a job shift due to recent events in your life or the world? If so, you might be part of the group of Americans roped into the “The Great Resignation.” If you...
Read MoreHow Your Business Can Benefit from Holistic Financial Advising
If you own a business, then you know your personal financial picture is closely related to your professional success. Whether you are a small or large business owner – it’s essential to collaborate with a holistic financial...
Read MorePatience is Key During Turbulent Periods: June 2022 Market Update
Warren Buffett has taught us the benefits of being fearful when others are greedy and to be greedy when others are fearful. This is especially important during times of increased volatility. Deploying the investment...
Read MoreApril Market Update
Last week, the yield curve inverted for the first time since August 2019 (as a refresher, a yield curve inversion means that long-term interest rates have dropped below short-term rates). The most important takeaway from these recent...
Read MoreThree Smart Ways to Use Your Tax Refund
If you’re expecting a tax refund this year, you might be pondering, with the recent inflation spikes and gas prices increasing, how much this money is needed and want to spend it right away. Before you do that, I suggest...
Read MoreYour Emergency Fund: How Much Is Enough?
Have you ever had one of those months? The water heater stops heating, the dishwasher stops washing, and your family ends up with the nurse at urgent care on a first-name basis. Then, as you're driving to work, you see smoke coming...
Read MoreFebruary 2022 Market Fluctuations Update
Interest rates, trade talks, inflation fears, political events, and international developments all can influence stock prices. Volatile market activity can be unnerving, but our team is keeping a close eye on all fluctuations. On...
Read MoreMRK Financial Solutions Receives National Recognition as a Top Producing Finanical Firm
MRK Financial Solutions 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 is invited to...
Read More3 Steps to Strengthen Your Relationship Through Your Finances
This Valentine’s Day, whether you’re treating your significant other to a romantic dinner, staying in with your kids, or buying some last-minute chocolates – I encourage you to use this holiday focused on love to show...
Read MoreCompelling Reasons for Offering Retirement Benefits to Your Employees
As a business owner, offering retirement plans to your employees has many benefits for both parties. But where do you start? Finding the right plan and partner that meet your company’s specific needs is what we specialize in at...
Read More3 Key Areas That Could Lead to Better Saving in 2022
The start of a new year is the optimal time to review your current financial situation so you can check your spending habits and investments and evaluate any past or new debt you’ve taken on. January has been deemed Financial...
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...
Read MoreDo I Need an Estate Plan? The Answer is Yes.
Estate planning can be a tough conversation to navigate with yourself and your family. Some avoid the topic altogether. Having the conversation about what happens after you pass can be even more difficult to navigate alone....
Read MoreInsurance Planning – An Essential Piece of Financial Planning
Life insurance and long-term care insurance (Medicare and Medicaid) ensure that you can protect yourself and your family if your life circumstances change and as you grow older. If you have done proper planning, you are giving yourself...
Read MoreWhat Can a Financial Advisor Do for You?
Everyone has financial questions, and it seems everyone has answers – friends, family, the internet, social media and more. At MRK Financial Solutions, we aim to cut through the noise and provide you with a financial partner who...
Read MoreEducation Planning 101: 529 Plans
With a new school year being kicked off, it’s an optimal time to think about saving and paying for your children’s college. The cost of higher education can exceed $100,000 per child in some cases. If your kids are...
Read More5 Ways to Conduct a Mid-Year Financial Check Up
With July officially behind us, here is your reminder that we’re headed toward the second half of 2021. While there’s still time to enjoy the warm weather as summer comes to an end, we encourage you to slow down and check...
Read MoreCPA & Financial Advisor Brad Mentzer Joins Pennsylvania Team for MRK Financial Solutions
MRK Financial Solutions has recently brought on Brad Mentzer as a financial advisor at its Palmyra office – one of four Pennsylvania locations for the firm. Mentzer is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with more nearly 30 years...
Read MoreMRK Financial Solutions Invites You To Their Inaugural Golf Tournament
MRK Financial Solutions invites the community to sign up and register for their Inaugural Swing Against Cancer Golf Tournament event on Thursday, September 16, 2021, at Dellwood Country Club. The tournament will begin with a shotgun...
Read MoreChild Tax Credit Updates for 2021 - What You Need to Know
In March 2021, Congress passed the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which is aimed to help with the effects of the recent pandemic in an effort to rebuild economic recovery. The plan’s goal is to help reduce families living in...
Read MoreKathy Peterson Retires from MRK Financial Solutions
Please join us in extending best wishes to Kathy Peterson, who is retiring from MRK Financial Solutions today. Kathy has been a respected client service specialist for more than 10 years, and she will be deeply missed by not only our...
Read MoreNew Financial Advisor Jill Hasson To Join the Pennsylvania Team for MRK Financial Solutions
MRK Financial Solutions has hired Jill Hasson as a financial advisor at its Palmyra office – one of four Pennsylvania locations for the firm. For the past 14 years, Hasson has worked in regulatory compliance roles at a...
Read MoreBudgeting Basics for Your Household
Creating a budget is simple once you know a few basic categories and best practices. It’s sticking to a budget that’s tough, but writing one down is an important first step. After all, it’s much less likely...
Read MoreSpring Clean Your Finances in These 5 Areas
Warm weather motivates many of us to tackle long-overdue projects. Yard work or a new fitness routine might top your list, but as we head into spring, there’s one more thing that requires annual cleaning: your finances. Financial...
Read MoreWhat To Do With Your Economic Impact Payment
In March 2021, President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan into law as a way to help individuals and businesses impacted by COVID-19. This $1.9 trillion aid package included payments directly to American households to help...
Read MoreWITMER TAX PARTNERS WITH FULL-SERVICE FINANCIAL ADVISORY FIRM TO EXPAND SERVICES
LANCASTER, Pa. (Oct. 20, 2020) – Local tax and accounting firm Witmer Tax and Financial Services announced today its partnership with MRK Financial Solutions to deliver broader financial planning and investment advisory services....
Read MoreA Q3 Market Recap and Reassurance for Q4
If there’s one thing we’ve come to expect from 2020, it’s the unexpected. Since COVID19 altered our daily lives in early March, there have been high highs and very low lows, and more volatility should be anticipated...
Read MorePLYMOUTH-BASED MRK FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS EXPANDS TO WISCONSIN AND PENNSYLVANIA
PLYMOUTH, Minn. (Oct. 8, 2020) – Local financial planning firm MRK Financial Solutions announced today a merger with Pennsylvania-based True North Wealth Management and the opening of a new office in Amery, Wis., accelerating the...
Read MoreFinancial Advisor Sarah Kyles Joins MRK Financial Solutions
PLYMOUTH, Minn. (Aug. 11, 2020) – MRK Financial Solutions has hired Sarah Kyles as a financial advisor at its corporate headquarters in Plymouth – one of two Minnesota locations for the firm, which recently expanded into...
Read MoreThe Market and Economy in Q2 2020
There is a massive amount of information to process these days. Every time you turn on the TV or scroll through Twitter, ‘experts’ from various industries are reporting new information we must process. At MRK Financial...
Read MoreMichael Callanan of MRK Financial Solutions Earns Certified Financial Planner® Designation
PLYMOUTH, Minn. (June 1, 2020) – MRK Financial Solutions advisor Michael Callanan has earned his Certified Financial PlannerTM certification through the CFP Board of Standards. The designation requires participants to meet...
Read MoreDoes the Stock Market Really Reflect Economic Injury?
Over the past month, news headlines have produced confusion about the correlation between the stock market and the economy. Many Americans are questioning whether the market has separated itself from reality or if it is ignoring...
Read MoreA Lookback at the Economy and Equity Markets in Q1
Without question, the financial markets saw a volatile first quarter of 2020 – with sharp drops from late February through March due to the spread of the coronavirus. However, the global health pandemic has not been the only...
Read MoreFinancial Support for Small Businesses
The coronavirus has had significant economic consequences for businesses in a variety of industries. Your financial situation likely looks much different today than expected, but there are proactive ways to adjust business plans or...
Read MoreHow the CARES Act Can Help Your Family
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act passed the House and Senate last month. The act provides financial assistance for many American households. Below are a few important items to note in the CARES Act. Direct cash...
Read MoreChaotic Markets Don't Change Clear Goals
It’s natural to be confused by the chaos of the markets lately. It's been more than a decade since we experienced this type of volatility. The equity market, in particular, has seen tremendous intraday upswings and downswings...
Read MoreCommitted Investing Even During Crises
We know the headlines regarding COVID-19 are overwhelming. Its impact on the market might be concerning, and as we all navigate the uncertain months ahead, rest assured that your health and wellbeing are our top priority – today...
Read MoreChanges to MRK Business Operations Due to COVID-19
In light of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, we are taking proactive steps to address a number of business concerns. First and foremost, we care about our MRK family. We encourage the adoption of practices to protect the health of...
Read MoreA Note from the MRK Team Regarding COVID-19
With the latest news and increasing concern regarding the COVID-19 coronavirus, MRK Financial Solutions is monitoring the developing situation closely. We are poised to provide you continued service in any situation while protecting...
Read MoreAs the Coronavirus Goes Global, It's Not Time for a Panic
Given recent headlines related to the coronavirus, we thought the below article would be helpful and informative. In it, Martin Landry, Director of the Portfolio Management Group at Avantax, outlines key things investors should keep in...
Read MoreNow Serving Wisconsin Clients in Partnership with Overby Financial Services
Clear Lake-based accounting firm Overby Financial Services will open a third Wisconsin office in Amery this summer through a partnership with MRK Financial Solutions. The firms share a core philosophy that tax implications accompany...
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