Michael Wiswell

Wiswell & Associates

Welcome to our Web site -- an information resource designed to help you learn more about personal finance. Click around and you'll find a variety of financial tools. There are financial calculators that can help you get a clearer picture of where you stand and where you're headed. There is a research library and newsletter articles on a wide range of financial topics. If you have a specific question or want more information, click on Contact Us, drop us an e-mail message at mwiswell@financialguide.com, or call us at (608)250-0414 We're ready to help.

Personal Inflation Rate

Is your personal inflation rate higher or lower than the CPI?

Disability Income Insurance

How much Disability Income Insurance do you need?

Roth IRA Conversion

This calculator can help you determine whether you should consider converting to a Roth IRA.

Savings Goals

How much do you need to save each year to meet your long-term financial goals?

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Diving into Dividends

Dividends have traditionally been considered a source of income, but they also can be a powerful way to help build savings. A recent study found that dividends contributed 44% of S&P 500 total returns from 1930 through September 2010. This article explains how dividends work and the role that dividends could play in an investor's savings strategy.

Tax Changes for 2012

Mandatory annual inflation adjustments generally affect federal income tax brackets, retirement plan contribution limits, and estate tax exemption levels. Here are some of the major changes that could affect readers in 2012, with a table showing 2012 income thresholds for the six federal income tax brackets.

Put It in Writing

A high level of job satisfaction is fairly typical of business owners, but it can also be a hindrance if it keeps them from thinking about a planned exit strategy. A written exit plan could help you avoid surprises.

Lessons from a Perilous Year

In retrospect, 2011 was a formidable year for catastrophes. Small businesses can be hit hard when extreme weather or a natural disaster causes damage or forces a temporary closure. This article considers the importance of adequate insurance protection and ways to help reduce uninsured losses.

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