Understanding Today’s Financial Environment
Welcome, I’m Barbara Blas, a financial professional in Kingston, NY. I understand that individuals face unique challenges as they prepare for retirement. I can help take the mystery out of preparing for today and tomorrow. Whether your goal is saving for retirement, college savings, or estate strategy, our personalized service focuses your needs, wants, and financial goals and objectives.
The cornerstone of our practice is wealth accumulation planning for individuals approaching retirement, and retirement income planning for retirees. Our goal is to help you preserve and grow your assets by recommending comprehensive financial and retirement strategies that reflect your needs, values and risk tolerance. We are committed to helping you understand your financial situation and providing you with high-quality, detailed financial information, services, and products to help you achieve your financial goals, truly enjoy your retirement, and leave something behind for the ones you love.
Helpful Content
What’s Your Investment IQ?
You make decisions for your portfolio, but how much do you really know about the products you buy? Try this quiz
Medicare Advantage Plans (Medicare Part C)
Medicare Part C allows you to choose a Medicare Advantage plan. This article will help you decide if it's right for you.
Retiring Wild: National Parks and You
Get ready to enjoy America’s national park system with this helpful article.
Assess Life Insurance Needs
How to help determine life insurance needs to provide for your family after you pass away.
Yours, Mine, and Ours: Estate Strategies for Second Marriage
Second marriages are a trigger event to revisit any existing estate strategies.
All Muni Bonds Are Not Created Equal
Gaining a better understanding of municipal bonds makes more sense than ever.
Data Thieves from Outer Space
Learn about the dangers of internet fraud with this highly educational and fun “pulp” comic.
Retirement Realities
Many pre-retirees can become focused on the “ideal” retirement, but turning that dream into a reality can be tricky. This content piece was written to help clients manage their expectations while maintaining optimism for the future.
Mortgages in Retirement
Explore the benefits and drawbacks to paying off your mortgage prior to retirement with this article.
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Inflation & Retirement
Estimate how much income may be needed at retirement to maintain your standard of living.
Capital Gains Tax Estimator
Use this calculator to estimate your capital gains tax.
What Is My Current Cash Flow?
Assess whether you are running “in the black” or “in the red” each month.
Long-Term-Care Needs
Determine your potential long-term care needs and how long your current assets might last.
What Is the Dividend Yield?
This calculator helps determine your pre-tax and after-tax dividend yield on a particular stock.
Annuity Comparison
This calculator compares a hypothetical fixed annuity with an account where the interest is taxed each year.
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An Inside Look at Retirement Living
A number of questions and concerns need to be addressed to help you better prepare for retirement living.
Your Cash Flow Statement
A presentation about managing money: using it, saving it, and even getting credit.
Managing Your Lifestyle
Using smart management to get more of what you want and free up assets to invest.
Protecting Those Who Matter Most
The importance of life insurance, how it works, and how much coverage you need.
Principles of Preserving Wealth
How federal estate taxes work, plus estate management documents and tactics.
Investment Strategies for Retirement
Investment tools and strategies that can enable you to pursue your retirement goals.
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Understanding the SECURE Act
Explaining the SECURE Act and how the changes affect your retirement strategy.
The Fed and How It Got That Way
Here is a quick history of the Federal Reserve and an overview of what it does.
Emerging Market Opportunities
What are your options for investing in emerging markets?
It May Be Time for a Financial Checkup
It’s never a bad time to speak with your financial professional about changes in your situation.
Retirement Redefined
Around the country, attitudes about retirement are shifting.
Social Security: By the Numbers
Here are five facts about Social Security that might surprise you.