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  • 6 Fun Facts about Major League Baseball

    The 2017 major league baseball season opened on April 2nd with the Tampa Bay Rays hosting the New York Yankees. Some MLB teams cater to fans with discounted tickets and food while some play hardball with very high prices. The average price of 2 tickets (cheapest seats available) 2 small beers, 2 hot dogs and parking is about $78. Prices vary greatly from ballpark to ballpark. Fans who enjoy a game at the cheapest stadium ($48 Angels) will pay $110 less than the most expensive ($157 Red Sox). Enjoy some of the these facts:fun baseball facts

    1.Tickets: The least expensive tickets available are surprisingly the LA Angels at $9.80/seat and the most expensive are the Boston Red Sox where it will set you back $48 for Fenway Park upper deck seats.

    2. Hot Dogs: At the Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati a hot dog will set you back only $1 whereas it costs $6.25 for a dog at Citi Field to watch the NY Metropolitans.

    3. Beer: A small brouhaha costs only $4 to watch both the Arizona Diamondbacks and Cleveland Indians. It’s a three-way tie for most expensive at $7.75 to watch the Cubs, Red Sox and Phillies.

    4. Parking: Parking is FREE at Tropicana field to watch the Tampa Bay Rays while it will cost you at least $35 to watch the NY Yankees or Boston Red Sox.

    5. Ticket Cost Comparison: Although both teams play in California a ticket to see the San Francisco Giants costs more than double the price of a ticket to see the LA Dodgers.

    6. Hot Dog Price Comparison: Although the price to see a game at Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park rank in the top 3 in baseball the price of a hot dog cost 75% more in Boston.
    Keep these things in mind when you decide to visit new ballparks as pricing could be a home run or a total washout!

    Ask Robert how to hit a personal financial home run with your free consultation today.

  • 8 Family Leave Act Facts Every NY State Business Should Know

    8 Family Leave Act Facts Every NY State Business Should Know

    New York is the 6th state to enact the PFL(paid family leave) act joining California, New Jersey, Washington, New Jersey and Rhode Island.  We expect many other states to follow suit.  To check your state’s rules go to www.NationalPartnership.org. Ignorance is expensive!!insurance, New York, family leave act

    1. It’s effective on 1/1/18: Employees can have a baby today and give 30-day notice that they are taking (50%) paid time off the first 8 weeks of 2018 to bond with their baby.
    2. All employers with payroll must comply: All business owners with 1 or more employees on payroll must comply. As of 7/1/17, owners can deduct up to 0.126% of employee weekly pay to partially cover the expense,
    3. There is a 4-year phase in: In NYS 2018 the maximums are 8 weeks of pay at 50% of the employee wage base max of $1,305.92 meaning $652.96/week. 2019 it goes to 10 weeks at 55%, 2020 it’s 10 weeks at 60% and in 2021 it caps out at 12 weeks at 67%.
    4. A notice must be given in 2 of 3 ways: NYS will create a poster that “must be displayed in plain view where all employees and/or applicants can readily see it”. Employee handbooks must be updated to explain rights, obligations and how to file a claim.  If you have no handbook, written materials must provide written guidance on the above.
    5. Reasons for paid leave include: Bonding with a new child (birth, adoption or foster), care for a “family member with a serious health condition”, caring for one’s own disability and qualifying if a spouse, domestic partner or child are called to active duty!
    6. Family members include: A child, foster child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, spouse, domestic partner, child of domestic partner, parent-in-law and step-parent.
    7. Part-time and Full-time workers may qualify: Full-time employees who work 20 or more hours/week are eligible for PFL after 26 consecutive weeks of employment regardless of how many days/week worked. Part-time under 20 hours/week qualify after working a total of 175 days.
    8. Employers face fines for failure to provide coverage: Employers face fines up to .5% of weekly payroll for the period without coverage, plus an additional sum of $500. If employers don’t continue health coverage for an employee while on leave, the employer will be responsible for medical costs incurred by the employee while on leave.

    These facts are only a part of the new PFL law.  Feel free to reach out to me or download a copy of our 8-page white paper on these rules and NYS DBL rate quotes.
    New York family leave act

  • 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Applying for Your Student’s Financial Aid

    5 Mistakes to Avoid When Applying for Your Student’s Financial Aid

    FAFSA: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid. All students interested in financial aid (free endowment monies) for college will need to complete this form. Usually, the parents/guardians fill it out using their tax return.

    1. Don’t include retirement assets on the FAFSA: The FAFSA doesn’t care how much you’ve got in your 401k/IRA/pension. They do ask about cash, savings and checking accounts to name a few items.FAFSA federal student aid tips mistakes to avoid
    2. Don’t wait until your 2017 taxes are done to complete: Use estimated 2016 tax return numbers then adjust them later. This is one of the biggest mistakes as the FAFSA completion holds your place in line for free endowment money when the coffers are full! Complete it before the end of February then adjust it when your 2017 taxes are done. This is especially important if you file a filing extension.
    3. Don’t forget to list the colleges: You can include up to 10 colleges your son/daughter has applied to. The federal processors will send the pertinent FAFSA info to the schools. You will need each college’s school code.
    4. Don’t inflate your education: If both parents didn’t graduate from college, don’t list “college” as their/your highest education even if you completed a few years. Plenty of schools treat these applicants more favorably if they are considered “first-generation” college students.
    5. Don’t assume you won’t qualify for financial aid because your house is too valuable: The FAFSA doesn’t care if you own a house*. They do ask about second homes and real estate investments.


    Notes:     One cannot receive endowment “free” money without first completing a FAFSA. If you apply to more than 10 schools you can go into FAFSA a week after completing, change some schools and they will receive the FAFSA info.

    *Certain schools use the CSS (formula) profile whereby home equity and sibling assets will count against you.

    **Contact Robert today for sound advice and strategies for completing the FAFSA and financing your child’s education.

  • SAT vs. ACT Exams: 5 Questions Answered

    SAT vs. ACT Exams: 5 Questions Answered

    Although it’s technically still the summer, many high school students (and parents) are feeling anxiety about taking the SAT and/or ACT exams this month.  There’s a lot of bad information out there on this topic.  Below are answers to 5 popular questions:insurance, New York, college funding, financial planning

    1. Should I take the SAT or ACT? We strongly recommend taking both exams multiple times if possible. Most schools accept both and students may decide which scores to send to colleges.
    2. Why don’t my college advisors know much about the ACT? The SAT is far more popular in the northeast and California while the ACT rules in middle America. This is the first year the ACT will surpass the SAT in total tests taken.
    3. If I had to choose one, why take the ACT? Vocabulary is less important, math counts for about 25% of the score and there is no penalty for a wrong guess.
    4. If I had to choose one, why take the SAT? Math accounts for about 33% of the score and there are no science or trigonometry questions.
    5. When should I take these exams? We suggest practicing as a freshman and taking the first exams offered as a sophomore to get scores back early, find weak spots and have time to taken them again.

      *Contact Robert today for your free initial consultation*

  • 5 Reasons 529 Plans are a Waste of Time

    5 Reasons 529 Plans are a Waste of Time

    5 Reasons why 529’s are a waste of time

    Unless you are getting other people like grandparents to contribute money to your child’s 529 they are a waste of time for the following reasons:529 college savings plan

    1. They reduce the amount of endowment “free” money students can qualify for:  Ex. With $100,000 in a 529 the first $25,000/year is on you!

    2. High fees, charges and broker commissions:  Most 529’s have front or back end charges as well as annual fees regardless if it’s making money.

    3. Exposure to stock market fluctuations: The market can go down 50% during your student’s high school senior year and the money is gone with no time to recover.

    4. Limited fund and investment choices: Most states have only 1 fund family to choose from.  If you choose a different fund family odds are you will lose your resident state’s income tax deduction.

    5. What happens if your only child gets a scholarship?: All funds withdrawn in this scenario would incur a 10% withdrawal penalty.

    There are several other options as to where to stash money and how to pay for college that won’t have market risk or adverse effects on potential scholarship money.

    Contact Robert today for a better way to fund your child’s college education

  • What is the Value of a Yankees Number?

    I was one of the privileged Yankee fans to be at the game last month where Derek Jeter’s #2 jersey was retired meaning no other Yankee will ever wear that number.

    insurance, New York, Queens, Forest Hills, financial planning, insurance doctor, YankeesJeter is the 19th Yankee to have a retired number and it’s the Yankees’ 18th different number retired (both Yogi Berra and Bill Dickey wore #8), the most in   Major League Baseball.  There are no more Yankee numbers available from 1-10.

    Jackie Robinson’s #42 is now retired from all MLB teams and there is lobbying to retire Roberto Clemente’s #21 from all teams as well.

    When Ricky Henderson joined the Toronto Blue Jays in 1993 he gave $25,000 to Turner Ward for his beloved #24.  In fact, I met Ricky in 2004 when he was playing at age 45 for the Newark Bears of the independent league.  His response to a 10 year old boy was “Ricky Henderson don’t sign no autographs”.

    When Brian Jordan joined the Atlanta Braves in 1999 he gave a $40,000 motorcycle to then 3rd base coach Fredi Gonzalez for #33.

    What happens when there’s no numbers left?

    Supply and demand dictate that jersey collectibles will become more rare hence driving prices up for retired jersey collectibles.

    It’s only a matter of time before they become a part of a well-diversified portfolio.

    It’s only a matter of time before they become a part of a well-diversified portfolio. Contact Rob today for your free consultation.

  • 8 Summer Travel Tips

    8 Summer Travel Tips

    Having touched foot on 5 of the 7 continents, I have learned a lot.  With solid planning, I was able to do 3 weeks in Thailand, Myanmar, and Cambodia with 1 carry-on bag and 1 computer bag.  My top travel tips are:insurance, New York, travel

    1. Call your credit card companies in advance: and tell them where you are going and what dates. I have had cards frozen because companies see a string of out of town charges and they think your cards were stolen.
    2. Think in body sections when packing: I do this in the morning while getting work ready and start from feet to head.  It can be stressful the last days before a trip so you don’t want to forget anything so do the same with the kids.
    3. Pack a change of clothes in your carry-on bag: 29 million bags are lost/delayed each year. Be ready when it happens to you!
    4. Buy a guide book if going overseas: Can’t stress this enough. Advanced research prevents issues which can ruin a trip.  For example, my research told me that in Myanmar and Cambodia they accept US dollars however not with folds or wrinkles.  I went to the bank in advance and withdrew $500 of new bills in 1’s, 5’s, 10’s and 20’s. I like “lonely planet” and “rough guides” the best.  Look for the most recent edition.
    1. Read negative reviews on hotels: I prefer trip advisor and Agoda for international travel.
    2. If touring by car get a tune-up and GPS: Nothing worse than getting lost or having your car break down.  GPS your destinations in advance for proper time planning.
    3. Buy an off color suitcase: This way you can spot in from a long distance away.
    4. Sign up for the TSA: The TSA pre-check can make the difference between missing and making a flight and decrease travel stress considerably.
  • Ten last minute Mother’s day gifts on a budget under $100

    Ten last minute Mother’s day gifts on a budget under $100

    Ten last minute Mother’s day gifts on a budget under $100

    Mothers usually appreciate the little things that are thoughtful and lasting so most of these ideas will have that theme and some are do-it-yourselfers.

    1. The store “things remembered” will do custom engraving on short notice. They are located in most malls and their “custom couture jewelry” is drawing rave reviews.

    2. Things Remembered will also do a custom “music box” so mom can think of you when she’s home doing chores listening to her favorite tunes.mom-gift

    3. Her favorite plant.  Some folks will print out family pictures and wrap them around the plant pot so she can look at the family in addition to the plant.

    4. A yoga mat and/or towel.  For the yoga mom, these gifts are available and reasonably priced on amazon.com with overnight or 2-day shipping.

    5. A VHS to DVD format converter is available new and used online at amazon.

    6. A gift basket.  This can be customized yourself and include some of your mom’s favorite oils, bath salts, perfume, a book, candles and a relaxing CD.

    7. A family scrapbook or montage.  This can also be framed and hung up.  Mom’s love this stuff and appreciate the effort putting it together.

    8. A certificate for a home cleaning.  Give mom a day off and either hire somebody to clean the house or better yet do it yourself.

    9. A dinner gift card.  You can go to restaurant.com and get discounted gift cards either in general or to mom’s favorite restaurant for half price.

    10. If you can’t afford the “day of beauty” a mani/Pedi gift card will go over very well as moms deserve to be spoiled.

    11. Bonus belated gift idea.  Mom’s usually have a special feeling for the grandchildren so get pictures of them put onto coffee mugs.

    Cheers to my mom and all the fabulous moms out there that do so many things they don’t always get acknowledged for!!

  • 6 London Attractions to See on a Budget

    6 London Attractions to See on a Budget

    6 great attractions in London on a budget

    After a ten day visit, I can say that London is a fantastic place to visit however it can burn a hole in your wallet or purse. Today’s exchange rate is about $1.50 US dollars for every 1 pound (Lb).

    Check out these 6 FREE must see options below:

    1. The British Museum: Ranked #15 of top 25 places to visit in the “world” in lonely planet’s august 2015 survey. It’s 1 of only 2 museums listed (the other is in Australia). This massive museum houses priceless artifacts from all 7 continents. It’s set up by country and subdivided by era. It’s also free! Was so nice I went twice. They suggest a 5-pound donation however not mandatory.

    The Borough Market, London
    The Borough Market, London

    2. Borough Market: A hidden gem located walking distance from London Bridge. Words don’t describe how interesting it is (see my FB pictures). Before 5 pm the market is loaded with tasty treats. Some of the best cheeses I’ve ever had. After 5 pm it’s filled with locals getting out of work.

    3. Tate Modern Museum: an art gallery with pieces (Picasso’s and Warhol’s) mostly from 1900-present and is 1 of 4 Tate galleries in the UK. There’s a great balcony for pictures of the Thames river and St. Paul’s. It’s located a short walk over the millennium bridge across from St. Paul’s cathedral. It’s about 75% free as there’s one floor with current exhibits that they charge for. Also, check out the lounge area with couches the unique activities for the kids. They can draw and be creative and see their drawings projected onto the wall. A 4-pound donation suggested not mandatory.

    4. Camden town: Reminds me of our Greenwich village in Manhattan. Cool hipster edgy area with interesting vintage clothing shopping and people watching. Go to their Camden market which used to be horse stables that were converted into many little unique booths. Great place to find the same goods as centre city London for less than half the price. For you shopaholics (you know who you are, lol) also visit Harrods department store. It takes Saks 5th avenue to a whole new level.

    5. The National Gallery: This gallery has one of the best collections of paintings in the world. Read the captions as I was interested to see some of the pieces were given to the gallery in lieu of paying estate (inheritance) taxes. It’s located in Trafalgar square which is a really fun place to just walk around. The architecture is breathtaking!

    6. London Rock Tour: This is a bonus tidbit although it’s not free. There are two different mini-bus tours 9-1 and 2-6 that cost about $50 each. They are run by a former band promoter named Bob. Go to Abbey road and abbey road studios. See Paul McCartney’s house, the Rolling Stones sticky fingers restaurant and get great stories of these British bands on their way up.

    Contact Rob here for your free financial review today

  • 5 Planning Issues for Same-Sex Couples

    5 Planning Issues for Same-Sex Couples

    Five Planning Issues Same-Sex Couples Should Discuss

    All couples in long-term relationships should discuss finances however gay and lesbian couples need to even more because of unclear and ever-changing rules.

    1. What is our current situation? Partners need to get on the same page as to their debt, how much and to whom do they owe money. How much do you spend and how much do they save?same sex couples, financial planning
    2. What does retirement look like? Both partners should go to socialsecurity.gov to see what type of benefits are available to them and based on ages when to elect income benefits to start.
    3. Should we get married? This is a critical decision. First take a look at wages earned. If both are high wage earners then they would be paying more taxes by remaining unmarried. Also if one partner has a college-bound student remaining unmarried is the better choice as the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) would only include one person’s wages.
    4. What happens to assets when we die? A will, power of attorney and health care proxy are recommended to give clear directives on the wishes of each partner. If unmarried with no will etc, the states laws of intestacy come into play and odds are a blood relative will inherit the estate.
    5. What happens if we break up? Unmarried same-sex couples in it for the long haul may want to draft a cohabitation agreement. Divorce actually provides an orderly system with protections that unmarried same-sex couples cannot take advantage of.Contact Rob here today for a free financial consultation today