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Conventional wisdom would tell us that if we did not pay for an expense, we certainly could not deduct it on our tax return. Seems like there are always exceptions to the rules and the tax world is no different. Medical expenses, property taxes and points paid on a mortgage can all be paid by some...

Brighton Securities has been focused on growth; we're renovating our Brighton office to add 30% more space and even added jobs throughout the recession. Part of that strategy has been to recruit professionals in other industries and coach them to be great advisors. Yesterday, The Brighton Pitt...

In Late September Bank of America announced they would levy a $5 monthly fee for certain debit card users. A month later, they dropped that idea after much huffing and puffing by the media. It seems some consumers were upset to have to pay more, and around 60,000 of them pledged on Facebook to chang...

Brighton Securities was quoted yesterday in the Christian Science Monitor. The article discusses the impact of bank transfer day last weekend. George has been discussing the movement with Rochesterians on his twitter feed (@gtconboy)where you can join him with your questions or observations.   Alexa...

Just when you thought your tax return could not get any more complex... Guess what? Reporting your capital gains and losses is going to get a lot more complicated. You may be filling out up to four forms, a schedule D plus up to three Form 8949's. New basis reporting rules went into effect this y...

As I had mentioned in a previous blog post Social Security benefits will be going up 3.6% in 2012, the first hike in two years. Here are some other changes for 2012: The Social Security wage base will jump to $110,100 (a $3,300 increase). In 2011 the Social Security tax rate on employees was lower...

Today Eastman Kodak reported third quarter financial results. It comes I'm sure as no surprise that once again Kodak lost money on their operating businesses - $220 million over the last 90 days. Losses were bad enough, but all eyes were on the cash balance: $862 million, down from $957 at June 30....

That might seem like a sarcastic title, but I don't mean it that way. Weather is a great example. We just enjoyed a beautiful fall weekend, great for driving through the Finger Lakes to see the foliage, or getting a gallon of fresh pressed cider. For last-minute shoppers, plenty of pumpkins were ava...

Toward the end of the year we frequently hear financial advisors talk about "harvesting" capital losses (or gains). Investors who have realized gains (or losses) may want to off-set them before the end of the tax year. This year there are some additional considerations, especially for lower income...

I can't always understand just what it is the Occupy Wall Street protesters want. The New York Times had a piece last week that suggests the protesters themselves aren't always sure. I have some suggestions, few of which would be well received and none of which will be listed here, since no doubt th...