Understanding Today’s Financial Environment
Welcome, I’m Mike Patton, a financial professional in Bluefield, WV. We understand that individuals face unique challenges as they prepare for retirement. We can help take the mystery out of preparing for today and tomorrow. Whether you goal is saving for retirement, college savings, or estate strategy, our personalized service focuses your needs, wants, and financial goals and objectives.
Our professionals have years of experience in financial services. We can help you address your needs of today and for many years to come. We look forward to working with you through all stages of your life, please call (304) 887-1445.
Helpful Content
Insurance Needs Assessment: Married With Children
When you’re married and have children, insurance needs will be different.
A Living Trust Primer
Living trusts are popular, but their appropriateness will depend upon your individual needs and objectives.
A Primer on Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts
Irrevocable life insurance trusts can be important tools that may accomplish a number of estate objectives.
Revising Estate Strategy Assumptions
Estate tax exemptions rules appear to be stabilizing, prompting many to reconsider conventional estate strategies.
What If You Get Audited?
The chances of an IRS audit aren't that high. And being audited does not necessarily imply that the IRS suspects wrongdoing.
How Financial Professionals Are Compensated
Read this overview to learn how financial advisors are compensated.
What's My 2023 Tax Bracket?
Check out this handy reference of updated ranges from the IRS in case your designated bracket has changed.
Risk Perspective
Is it possible to avoid loss? Not entirely, but you can attempt to manage risk.
Medicare Advantage 101
Overview of Medicare Advantage, what’s in them, special rules, and more.
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What Is My Current Cash Flow?
Assess whether you are running “in the black” or “in the red” each month.
Interested in a Fuel Efficient Car?
Estimate how many months it may take to recover the out-of-pocket costs when buying a more efficient vehicle.
Annuity Comparison
This calculator compares a hypothetical fixed annuity with an account where the interest is taxed each year.
Historical Inflation
This calculator shows how inflation over the years has impacted purchasing power.
Potential Income from an IRA
Estimate your monthly and annual income from various IRA types.
Roth 401(k) vs. Traditional 401(k)
This calculator compares employee contributions to a Roth 401(k) and a traditional 401(k).
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Managing Your Lifestyle
Using smart management to get more of what you want and free up assets to invest.
Investment Strategies for Retirement
Investment tools and strategies that can enable you to pursue your retirement goals.
Your Cash Flow Statement
A presentation about managing money: using it, saving it, and even getting credit.
Principles of Preserving Wealth
How federal estate taxes work, plus estate management documents and tactics.
5 Smart Investing Principles
Principles that can help create a portfolio designed to pursue investment goals.
5 Smart Investing Strategies
There are some smart strategies that may help you pursue your investment objectives
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Should You Ever Retire?
A growing number of Americans are pushing back the age at which they plan to retire. Or deciding not to retire at all.
When Markets React
When markets shift, experienced investors stick to their strategy.
The Latte Lie and Other Myths
Check out this video to begin separating fact from fiction.
An Arm and a Leg
A visit to the hospital can be painful, for both your body and your wallet. Don’t let it be more painful than it has to be.
The Richest Man in Babylon
In good times and bad, consistently saving a percentage of your income is a sound financial practice.
Perception vs. Reality
There’s an alarming difference between perception and reality for current and future retirees.