A tax bill for gains you never saw coming can sour an otherwise smart investment. We pull back the curtain on mutual fund capital gain distributions and show how manager trades, investor redemptions, and year-end timing can leave you paying taxes even if you never sold a single share. If you’ve ever opened a 1099 and felt confused or frustrated, you’re not alone—and you’re not stuck.

We start with the essentials: how mutual funds work, why the IRS treats them as pass-through entities, and what that means for your taxable accounts. From there, we break down the two biggest drivers of surprise distributions—portfolio changes and the redemption trap—so you can see how other people’s decisions can impact your tax bill. We also unpack the hidden hazard of buying a fund right before its annual payout, a move that can effectively hand you a tax liability without adding real wealth, and we explain why investors say you’re “paying for someone else’s cost basis.”

You’ll hear practical, actionable steps to invest more tax efficiently. We talk about asset location strategies, how to time purchases around distribution dates, and what to look for in funds to minimize capital gains in taxable accounts. We also share an update on our new office at Carnegie Center in Princeton and the refreshed, shorter format you can expect going forward.

If you hold mutual funds in a taxable account or you’re considering a year-end purchase, this conversation will help you avoid preventable mistakes and keep more of your returns. Subscribe for more timely money insights, share this episode with someone who hates surprise taxes, and leave a review with your top question about tax-efficient investing.

Have you ever wondered how Federal Reserve's interest rate changes can affect the market? Well, Kevin Caron, a seasoned Portfolio Manager from Washington Crossing Advisors, drops by to decode the world of finance. With his in-depth knowledge and expertise, we explore current cash, bond, and stock environments, and discuss the impact that interest changes have on the market. Moreover, Kevin also unravels the potential benefits that can be reaped by savers due to these increases.

As we delve deeper into the complexities of the financial world, we discuss the challenges that young investors might encounter in today's market. The soaring prices of stocks, the looming prospect of the stock market taking a pause, and the impact of the top seven stocks on the S&P 500 are all examined. Guiding us through this labyrinth, Kevin shares advice on how to kick-start the investment journey and navigate the potential obstacles. We also scrutinize the lucrative potential of treasury bonds as a retirement investment strategy and contemplate the effects of inflation and interest rates on bonds.

In the final part of our enlightening discussion, we question the conventional growth and value investing paradigm. Could the mentality of a bond investor unlock a more effective way to make investment decisions? Kevin offers a unique perspective on this, suggesting that looking at companies as being high quality or low quality, much like a bond investor would, could simplify investment decisions. Wrapping up, we also touch upon the importance of portfolio diversification and the invaluable role of professional money managers. So, tune in to gain insights and tips on navigating the financial markets, and equip yourself with tools for a secure financial future.

Want to uncover the hidden potential of 529 plans and the new twists introduced by the Secure Act 2.0? Wondering how this could be the game changer in your child's college fund or even your first-time home purchase? Then this episode is a goldmine waiting to be discovered. We unpack the quirks and benefits of 529 plans, investment plans that not only allow you to save for a beneficiary but also let you withdraw tax-free. We also delve into the changes brought by Secure Act 2.0, particularly how it now allows grandparents to contribute more towards their grandchild's college fund and the opportunities it presents for the Roth IRA.

In the second half of this insightful conversation, we turn our spotlight to the benefits of both Roth IRAs and 529 plans, and how they can be instrumental in funding your child's private K-12 education. We also crack open the 'Rule of 72', a simple yet powerful way to calculate the compounding effect of your investments over time. Further, we reveal how the Secure Act has widened the gates for parents to access their Roth IRA and the unique advantages of 529 plans, including tax-free withdrawals and the control they accord you over your funds.

To conclude, we navigate the maze of managing 529 plans and the value of a robust financial planning strategy. Our team stands ready to help you make sense of 529 plans and other financial products, without any sales pressure. We also touch on important disclosures regarding our branch office, and the services offered through Oseic Wealth Incorporated and New Century Financial Group LLC. As always, we recommend seeking the counsel of a tax specialist for personalized advice. So, buckle up for this journey of financial enlightenment.

Have you ever considered how to ensure your financial accounts' safety? Let's discuss the importance of trusted contacts in maintaining financial security. The Finra Rule 2165 is specifically designed to protect individuals over 65 years old or with a mental disability. We will also cover common scams targeting seniors and why keeping your trusted contacts up-to-date is crucial. We will also share real-life examples that illustrate how trusted contacts can safeguard clients.

FINRA Video for Trusted Contact
NCFG - Blog Post on Trusted Contact

What is a fiduciary? This is a question that Richard Oring is frequently asked by his clients at New Century Financial Group.   When looking for an advisor, it's an important question to ask.

A fiduciary is an individual or organization legally required to manage a person's assets for that person's benefit, not their own.   Being a fiduciary means a financial advisor is held to a higher standard when making decisions for his or her clients.

Fiduciaries must follow "duty of care" and "duty of loyalty" - Rich explains what these terms mean and entail.

It's also important to understand how your financial advisor is compensated - are the commission only, fee only, or fee-based (a combination of the two)?

The important thing to remember when looking for a financial advisor is to ask questions.  This can be a confusing field, but your future is too important to simply make assumptions.  And a good financial advisor will make sure your questions are answered.

You can always reach out to Richard Oring and his team at New Century Financial Group.  You can schedule an appointment from their website: https://ncfg.com/

Or you can reach out directly to Rich:  ro[email protected]
Or call him at  (609) 924-2049, extension 126.

With the market volatility we've experienced in 2022, many folks are looking at different types of investment vehicles.  One that Richard Oring's clients have been asking about lately is the I Bond.  Today, Rich explains what they are and more.

I bonds are securities issued by the US Treasury, that are 20 year notes and continue paying interest for an additional 10 years, for 30 total.   They can be purchased electronically or by paper. Rich explains the differences, and the limits on what you can buy.

The interest rate on I bonds is comprised of a Fixed Rate plus an Inflation Rate - and we go through how these numbers add up for you, using a specific example for illustration.

These I Bonds are exempt from state and local taxes, and the interest can be used to help pay for qualified higher education expenses, with restrictions. Rich explains those.

As with all financial decisions, your situation is unique.  Before making an investment, talk to your financial advisor, and/or CPA.  You can also research this topic more at https://treasurydirect.gov/

You can always reach out to Richard Oring and his team at New Century Financial Group.  You can schedule an appointment from their website: https://ncfg.com/

Or you can reach out directly to Rich:  [email protected]
Or call him at  (609) 924-2049, extension 126.

There are many things you should consider when it comes to end-of-year tax planning, but today Rich and Jag are focusing on Tax Loss Harvesting.

To understand tax loss harvesting, we will want to define terms.  Rich walks us through cost basis, capital gains (long and short term), capital losses (long and short term), carry-over losses, and the Wash Rule.

Tax loss harvesting is when you take your investment losses for the year and use them to offset your investment gains, lowering your tax burden.  Also, in years where your losses more than offset your gains, you can carry that over many years, using $3,000 of losses each year.

Rich walks us through the many benefits of tax loss harvesting, but also some of the pitfalls.  The Wash Rule comes into play here, harvesting is only for taxable accounts, and excess short-term trading can lead to headaches.

If you want to know more about tax loss harvesting (this might be the year to use it), or anything related to your finances, you can reach Rich at New Century Financial Group:
https://ncfg.com/
By email at [email protected]
or by phone at (609) 924-2049, extension 126,

How can I tell how well my portfolio is performing?   Through this podcast, it's Richard Oring's goal to educate listeners about managing their money.  Today, he and Jag look at different ways to evaluate the performance of your portfolio.

First, it's important to understand your strategy and overall objective - is it retirement, savings or something else?

Next, we look at total return- and the elements that come together to give you a total return. Then, what time periods do we use to evaluate total return?  And what benchmarks can we use in this analysis?

Rich then breaks down some market turns in a way for us to understand, including standard deviation, beta, alpha, R-squared, Sharpe Ratio and Sortino Ratio.

More: https://www.investopedia.com/
https://seekingalpha.com/


To talk to Rich thee terms or anything related to your financial future, reach him at (609) 924-2049, extension 126,  go online to https://ncfg.com/, or send Rich an email.  [email protected].

Do I need a financial advisor if I'm in my 20's?

There's a stereotype that financial advisors are only for older adults - either in or approaching retirement.  And that's simply not true.  Today, Richard Oring of New Century Financial Group sits down with Jag to talk about why young adults need a financial advisor.

Having a financial advisor early in your working years can be like having a coach who gets you into strong practices and habits for your entire career.   Through this relationship, you can talk about everything from debt and budgeting to job offers, life transitions, and unforeseen circumstances.

Rich also talks about how he structures his planning fees to make plans affordable for younger clients.

Want help planning your financial future no matter what your age?  Reach Rich at [email protected], or give him a call at (609) 924-2049, extension 126

Investing in bonds can be an important part of your overall portfolio.  But many investors find them confusing.  Today, Richard Oring and Jag break down what you need to know.

Stocks are pretty straightforward - if you buy a stock, you own a percentage of a company. Bonds, on the other hand, mean you are buying part of a company's debt. Rich explains.

While bonds aren't for everyone, they do have some advantages, including diversification, capital preservation, and income generation.

There are many types of bonds, including corporate bonds, municipal bonds, and treasury securities.  Typically, they are offered in $1,000 increments.

Rich explains the different terms related to bonds, including coupon rate, maturity, yield to maturity, callable, yield to call, yield to worst, duration, discount, and premium.

We also cover the different risks involved with bonds - interest rate risk, reinvestment risk, default risk, and more.

Mentioned in this epsiode: https://treasurydirect.gov/

To talk to Rich about bonds or anything related to your financial future, reach him at (609) 924-2049, extension 126,  go online to https://ncfg.com/, or send Rich an email.  [email protected].