The fsic Legacy Continues

I am grateful that my decision in 1992 to start my own Investment Advisory and Brokerage Firm in order to provide a home for quality caring advisors and the clients they care for turned out to be a good one.  The firm has grown to be a national firm with over 30 advisors.  I am proud of our 23+ year legacy of no client complaints and the quality of the advisors working for fsic. 

After 23 years it was time to find a new dynamic successor that could continue the legacy for the next 23 years.  My business partner and I worked hard to find someone that we felt would continue our dedication to integrity, trust, ingenuity and simplicity.  We have spent the last year working to provide a smooth transition of our advisors to our new successor.  I will remain one of those advisors as part of the Kirkland Financial Advisor team and will now be able to dedicate even more of my time to helping you achieve your financial goals.

Income Tax Key Numbers for 2016

Several provisions have been permanently extended.  My favorite is the Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCDs).  QCDs are distributions made directly from an IRA to a qualified charity.  Such distributions may be excluded from income and counted toward satisfying any required minimum distribution. 

Click here for a summary of changes and pending changes to income taxes

17th Century – Wampum Inflation

“Wampum” began as ornamental beads made from clamshells, which were highly prized by Native Americans.  When the Dutch arrived in the New World in the 1600s, they discovered the wampum could be used as money.  Thanks to this new financial instrument, they were able to begin buying beaver pelts from the natives – for wampum – and reselling the furs in Europe for a huge profit.

Click here to read full article

Rules have changed for Washington State LLCs as of January 1, 2016

Professional Alliance member, Pat McGowan brings to our attention that Washington State’s new Limited Liability Company (LLC) Act took effect on January 1, 2016, bringing with it a number of changes that affect current and future managers and members of Washington LLCs, as well as anyone doing business with Washington LLCs. 

If you are associated with a Washington State LLC, Pat recommends you reference the states RCW 25.15.045 or seek advice from your legal counsel on how the changes may affect you. 

Click here to access the State of Washington’s RCW 25.15.045 Professional limited Liability companies (Effective January 1, 2006).

Trends and Innovations: Nanotech Color Image Breakthrough

A nanotech breakthrough allows laser printing that is among the smallest, if not the smallest, scale yet.  The 127,000 DPI technology developed at Technology Univ. of Denmark uses a laser to melt a treated aluminum surface.  The researchers said in the report that they reproduced a color image of the Mona Lisa smaller than 1 pixel on the iPhone Retina display.

Click here to read the full article

2016 Estate Tax Update

Professional Alliance Member, Warren Baker’s recent publication “DEATH & TAXES Planning Advice for the Two Certainties in Life” provides a highlight of the updated estate taxes.   The Federal Estate Tax and Gift Tax Exemption had an increase over 2015 to $5,450,00 million per individual.  However the Washington State Estate Tax Exemption has not, as it remains at $2,054,000 for 2016. 

You can reference Warren's publication on his website:
www.Fairviewlawgroup.com by clicking here

Grilled Shrimp and Scallops with Warm Bacon Vinaigrette

This hot sweet combination goes well over baby spinach as a salad or alone on a plate as an appetizer.  We always use double skewers for ease when turning the seafood without it rolling around on the skewer.   This is very simple to make and a refreshing treat severed on a summer evening on the deck or an attractive appetizer for guests.
Click here for the full recipe

Martha Stewart French Toast

When we started fsic over two decades ago; my husband was laid off for a short period of time, so he helped us out at the firm.  One day while he was eating lunch he turned on the TV to find Martha Stewart making French toast.  He wrote her recipe down as she cooked it—you had to write things down back then because the internet didn’t archive like it does today.  We tried her recipe and loved it! Since then is has been an annual tradition to make Martha Stewart French toast for every first cold weekend of fall, like she suggested on her show.

Click here for the full recipe