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Summit Blog

What/Who is DFA (Dimensional Fund Advisors)? – Part 1

I have a confession to make. I have been an employee of Summit Financial Planning for going on one year. During my time here, I have known that one of the differentiators between Jennifer Luzzatto and other Financial Planners is the fact that she is a Fee-Only planner and is able to offer her clients Dimensional Funds…

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So, You Want to Start Your Own Business???

For so many of us, owning our own small business has been a lifelong dream. I know it was for me. Although I have always loved to work and to learn, I had no idea what a passion for work owning my own business would bring. Summit and our clients are never far from my…

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How to Eliminate Unwanted Junk Mail

Have you ever wondered how to get rid of unwanted junk mail that litters your mail box day after day? Everyday a new catalogue will come, tempting me to buy the latest season’s fashions. Or, a furniture store displays the latest decorating looks and I go into my house and wish I could update my sofa, paint…

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Top 5 Tips for Filing a Clean Tax Return

The deadline for filing tax returns this year has been extended from April 15, 2011 to April 18, 2011.  According to IRS sources, audits of individual tax returns are up 100% since 2001. Here is a short list of some best practices to keep in mind as you file your return for this year: 1. Report All…

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“Fee-Only” versus “Fee-Based”…Is there a Difference?

We have received feedback from many of our clients that they would prefer to receive the Summit Financial Planning newsletter via e-mail as opposed to a print copy. After much discussion about the advantages and disadvanages of each, we have made a corporate decision to go with an e-mail only newsletter. In this day and…

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Simple Act of Genorosity

My four year old daughter loves soap. That has always been a favorite toy for her. I have to ration it when she takes a bath. What does this have to do with anything? Well, on Christmas Day, I was awestruck by a simple act of generosity. “Santa” left three bars of her favorite soap that my mother had bought…

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Financial Sanity…Paying with your cell phone???

Nathan Dungan is the Founder and President of an organization called Share, Save, Spend. His company’s mission is the spread the message of financial sanity through a program bearing the company’s name of “Share, Save, Spend.” Nathan believes that what we do with our money can change the world. His passion is educating consumers about life in…

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Q&A: Ask Summit

“My insurance company doesn’t offer a flexible spending account, but I just read that anyone can get a Health Savings Account.  Is this true?  If so, is there a criteria for deciding whether it would benefit me?” – R.H in Richmond   Dear R. H.,   Generally, if you are covered under a high-deductible health plan…

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Worlds Healthiest Foods….Affordable????

I recently read this article on the world’s healthiest foods. I don’t know about you, but I get completely confused about what I should be doing from a healthy eating perspective. It seems like every time you turn around, they (who is “they” anyway?) are telling us what is best for us to be eating. Even recently, according…

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Start paying cash for cars

Attached is a YouTube video by Dave Ramsey that I found very intriguing. He suggests that people need to get off this Merry go round of revolving car leases/car payments. Most people know that investing money in a depreciating asset is not a great idea. But many people are stuck in this vicious circle and…

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Reality Check

I was in my Church’s bathroom before the service tonight and I overheard a conversation that stopped me dead in my tracks. Our Church was the week-end sponsor for families being taken care of by CARITAS-a Richmond based organization providing food and shelter to Richmond area homeless. A woman and her teen-age daughter walked in,…

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Fine Line Between Success and Failure

Recently, I listened to Part I of the captivating story of Phil Vischer (who created Veggie Tales) on Focus on the Family.  It describes his life as he follows his dream to create a Christian-based Cartoon.  In a five year period, Big Idea Productions goes from a small project in his garage to a business generating $44 million/year in revenues. …

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