Marathon Financial Strategies

?? Think it's too late for an affordable Thanksgiving getaway? The latest travel trends might surprise you! Here's what's catching our attention: International escapes are looking especially attractive: ?? Tokyo flights from Charlotte: $776 (34% less than last year!) ?? Caribbean getaways starting at $330 from NYC ?? Costa Rica adventures from LA under $350 Even domestic travel has some hidden gems: ?? Denver to Boston under $200 ?? Dallas to Hawaii starting at $358 ?? NYC to Miami below $150 Pro tip: This holiday season is shaping up to be the busiest ever, with travel interest spiking 9% even before recent events. The window for Christmas booking sweet spots is open right now! #TravelDeals #HolidayTravel #TravelTips #Wanderlust #InternationalTravel Source: https://lnkd.in/eP6ZMtmH

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???? Looking for your next vehicle? According to Consumer Reports, here are the top 10 picks for 2024, focusing on reliability and safety. Subcompact SUV: Subaru Crosstrek ?? Compact SUV: Subaru Forester ??? Hybrid/PHEV car: Toyota Prius/Prius Prime ?? Small car: Mazda 3 ?? Midsized car: Toyota Camry Hybrid ??? Small pickup: Ford Maverick/Ford Maverick Hybrid ??? Electric vehicle: Tesla Model Y ? Midsized SUV: Toyota Highlander Hybrid ?? Luxury SUV: BMW X5/X5 PHEV ?? Plug-in hybrid SUV: Toyota RAV4 Prime ?? Seven of these ten are either partially or fully electric, as the market is quickly moving towards electrification. Notably, several of these vehicles have starting prices under $30,000, well below the average new car price of about $48,000. On a brand level, BMW ranked at the top for 2024, followed by Subaru and Porsche. ?? If you're considering your next vehicle purchase, this may help you narrow down your search. #CarBuying #ConsumerReports #TopCars2024 Source: https://lnkd.in/eD3E7xEn

The standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B enrollees will be $185, up $10.30 from 2024. The annual deductible will increase to $257.

The IRS has released the 2025 tax brackets with a 2.8% inflation adjustment—the smallest increase in several years. Here's what's changing: ?? Standard deduction for married couples filing jointly rises to $30,000 ?? Single filers' standard deduction increases to $15,000 ?? Annual tax-free gift limit grows to $19,000 per recipient ?? Estate tax exclusion reaches $13.99 million (up from $13.61 million) ?? Earned Income Tax Credit maximum increases to $8,046 for qualifying families Understanding how tax brackets work remains crucial: you're only taxed at higher rates for income above each threshold, not your entire earnings. For example, if you're married filing jointly, you'll pay 10% on the first $23,850 of taxable income, then 12% on earnings above that amount. Important note: Some provisions aren't changing in 2025, including the $10,000 SALT deduction cap and the $2,000 Child Tax Credit. ?? #TaxBrackets #IRSUpdate #TaxPlanning #EstateGift Source: https://lnkd.in/gJVT8gWX

The IRS has released final regulations on Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) for inherited IRAs. Key points: ?? 10-year RMD Rule clarified ?? Annual distributions are required in most cases ?? Special rules for "eligible beneficiaries" ?? Effective from 2025, with transitional relief through 2024 ?? Remember: Skipping an RMD can result in a penalty of up to 25% Confused about how this affects your inherited IRA? You're not alone; these rules are complex. If you have any questions about how this may affect your financial strategy, let's talk. #InheritedIRA #TaxPlanning #RetirementPlanning #IRSUpdate Source: https://lnkd.in/e2sxFEJz

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?? History meets modern technology in an incredible underwater discovery! The legendary ship Endurance, lost over a century ago during Ernest Shackleton's Antarctic expedition, has been found and filmed in stunning detail. ?? A new documentary showcases the ship's remarkably preserved state, with items like the ship's wheel still standing upright after all these years. It's a testament to human perseverance—both in Shackleton's time and in our modern quest for discovery. While we often focus on financial journeys, stories like this remind us of the value of pursuing our passions and the importance of resilience in the face of challenges. What forgotten treasures are you hoping to uncover in your life? ?? #HistoricalDiscovery #Endurance #Exploration Source: https://lnkd.in/gPT4QKy8