“Hi-Tech Investing. Human Advice.”
Welcome, I’m Jeff Ackler, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Practitioner, Wealth Management Advisor with Merit Financial Group and SmartVestor Pro. We understand that individuals face unique challenges as they build wealth, plan for the future, and enjoy retirement. We can help take the mystery out of preparing for tomorrow and living for today. Whether your goals include preparing for or managing wealth in retirement, saving for college, or preparing your estate plan, our personalized service focuses on your needs, wants, and financial goals and objectives. Contact us now for your Complimentary Consultation!
The SmartVestor Program is a directory of investment professionals. Dave Ramsey, SmartVestor and Ramsey Solutions are not affiliates of Merit Financial Advisors, Merit Financial Group, LLC or LPL Financial.
Helpful Content
Coaches
Coaches have helped you your whole life, in ways big and small. We’d like to be one of them.
Changing Unhealthy Behaviors
Five phases to changing unhealthy behaviors.
What to Look for in Personal Finance Apps
An increasing number have been developed to help individuals with their personal finances.
The ABCs of Zero Coupon Bonds
Understanding some basic concepts may help you assess whether zero-coupon bonds have a place in your portfolio.
Stop Wasting Money
One way to find money is to examine your current spending habits and eliminate money wasters.
Social Security: Five Facts You Need to Know
Here are five facts about Social Security that are important to keep in mind.
Don’t Be Your Own Worst Enemy
Emotional biases can adversely impact financial decision making. Here’s a few to be mindful of.
What Is a 1035 Exchange?
1035 exchanges provide a way to trade-in an annuity contract or life insurance policy without triggering a tax liability.
How Will Working Affect Social Security Benefits?
Knowing the rules may help you decide when to start benefits.
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Historical Inflation
This calculator shows how inflation over the years has impacted purchasing power.
Impact of Taxes and Inflation
Estimate the potential impact taxes and inflation can have on the purchasing power of an investment.
How Much Home Can I Afford?
With a few simple inputs you can estimate how much of a mortgage you may be able to obtain.
Potential Income from an IRA
Estimate your monthly and annual income from various IRA types.
Comparing Mortgage Terms
Estimate the total cost in today's dollars of various mortgage alternatives.
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.
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Managing Your Lifestyle
Using smart management to get more of what you want and free up assets to invest.
Tax Management Strategies
Learn more about taxes, tax-favored investing, and tax strategies.
Protecting Those Who Matter Most
The importance of life insurance, how it works, and how much coverage you need.
Keys to Investing for Retirement
There are some key concepts to understand when investing for retirement
Principles of Preserving Wealth
How federal estate taxes work, plus estate management documents and tactics.
An Inside Look at Retirement Living
A number of questions and concerns need to be addressed to help you better prepare for retirement living.
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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.
What Our Kids Can Teach us About Saving Money
Would you guess that Millennials are effectively saving for retirement? Well, they are.
Forecast
The market is as unpredictable as the weather. We’d love to help you prepare.
The Good Ship IPO
The seas of the market are constantly shifting. Whether the good ship IPO can set sail may depend heavily on the tides.
Bursting the Bubble
Tulips were the first, but they won’t be the last. What forms a “bubble” and what causes them to burst?
RE: Retirement
How does your ideal retirement differ from reality, and what can we do to better align the two?