Paragon Financial Partners

Welcome to the Paragon Podcast. In this episode Evan Shorten and Elean Mendoza discuss tax-loss harvesting and how it can be a great last minute strategy to help lower your tax liability before year end.     Stay up to date with the Paragon Podcast and our written Insights by signing up for our mailing list HERE .    For more information regarding this topic, or to download a transcript of this ep...

Welcome to the second episode in our Social Security series. In this episode Evan Shorten and Elean Mendoza discuss whether your Social Security benefits may be subject to taxation. Listen to this episode and find out.    Stay up to date with the Paragon Podcast and our written Insights by signing up for our mailing list HERE .    For more information regarding this topic, or to download a transcr...

Social Security is one of the most important topics in retirement planning. It represents one of the largest sources of retirement income for many Americans. Unfortunately, Social Security can be complex. In this episode, Evan Shorten and Elean Mendoza provide you with an overview of Social Security benefits. Make sure to subscribe as this is part 1 in a multi-part series covering all aspects of S...

We have noticed there tends to be a couple of expenses pre-retirees often underestimate when planning for retirement. Some items may be obvious and despite that are still underestimated and other may not have been previously considered. This episode of the Paragon Podcast discusses four often underestimated retirement expenses.    Stay up to date with the Paragon Podcast and our written Insights b...

Last year we discussed several of the upcoming changes to retirement accounts stemming from the SECURE Act 2.0 that was passed back in 2022. It's now 2024 and many of the changes we discussed have gone into effect while others have been delayed. In this episode of the Paragon Podcast, Evan Shorten and Elean Mendoza discuss the most important rules changes that are now in effect for 2024 along with...

With a little over three months left in 2023, it’s a good time to start thinking about charitable donations, retirement plan contributions, and the focus of this episode – tax-loss harvesting. In this episode, Evan Shorten and Elean Mendoza discuss the ins and outs of tax-loss harvesting and how you can use it to possibly lower your tax liability. Please subscribe and give the podcast a like.    S...

Starting January 2024 one of the most notable rules changes to 529 College Savings Plans goes into effect. Families with excess funds in their 529 College Savings Plans will be allowed to convert those 529 Savings plan assets into Roth IRAs. In this episode, Evan Shorten and Elean Mendoza discuss everything you need to know regarding the conversion process.    Stay up to date with the Paragon Podc...

At the very end of 2022 Congress passed the SECURE Act 2.0 and with it come wide sweeping changes to almost all retirement accounts. Listen in as Evan Shorten and Elean Mendoza review some of the most important changes impacting employer sponsored retirement accounts, IRAs, Roth contribution rules, and even 529 college savings plans. Don't forget to follow and subscribe!   Stay up to date with the...

It has been a rough year for banks culminating in the closure of four regional banks so far. With that, you may be wondering about the safety of your assets held with your broker. Listen to this episode of the Paragon Podcast and Evan Shorten and Elean Mendoza discuss how brokerage firms safeguard your assets.   Stay up to date with the Paragon Podcast and our written Insights by signing up for ou...

It's been a rough year for investors with declining markets across the globe. However, not everything is all bad. Investors with a long-term view can now better take advantage of Roth conversions in order to increase their tax-free retirement income or try to maximize their estates. Tune in to this episode as Evan Shorten and Elean Mendoza dive into Roth conversions.  Stay up to date with the Para...

With the Federal Reserve raising interest rates and markets in decline, you might be wondering what is going on? Hit the play button and tune in as Evan Shorten and Elean Mendoza discuss rates, markets, and the economy in our September market update. Stay up to date with the Paragon Podcast and our written Insights by signing up for our mailing list HERE .    For more information regarding this to...

Is my 401k at risk if I get sued? Is my IRA at risk if I get sued? What happens to my retirement account in bankruptcy? In this episode Evan Shorten and Elean Mendoza discuss the creditor protections covering your retirement accounts.  Stay up to date with the Paragon Podcast and our written Insights by signing up for our mailing list HERE .    For more information regarding this topic, or to down...

With real-estate markets having peaked many investors are now considering selling off some of their properties, but with highly appreciated real-estate prices the liability of high capital gains taxes is a real concern. In this episode, Evan Shorten and Elean Mendoza discuss the possibility of deferring capital gains taxes with the combination of a 1031 exchange and a Delaware statutory trust.  St...

In this episode of the Paragon Podcast Evan Shorten and Elean Mendoza discuss a few ideas to help investors deal with both rising rates and rising inflation - a combination we have not seen since the 1970's.   Stay up to date with the Paragon Podcast and our written Insights by signing up for our mailing list HERE .    For more information regarding this topic, or to download a transcript of this...

The first half of 2022 has been the worst start for equity markets since the 1970's. Tune in to the latest episode of the Paragon Podcast to hear Evan Shorten and Elean Mendoza give an update on the current state of the markets - how we got here, what's happening, and where it could go.  Stay up to date with the Paragon Podcast and our written Insights by signing up for our mailing list HERE .   ...

What's happening with financial markets in 2022? The reality is - everything. Tune in to the latest episode of the Paragon Podcast to hear Evan Shorten and Elean Mendoza give an update on the current state of the markets.  Stay up to date with the Paragon Podcast and our written Insights by signing up for our mailing list HERE .    For more information regarding this topic, or to download a transc...

If you have an IRA with a large balance, then you need to listen to this episode. Evan Shorten and Elean Mendoza discuss the impacts of the SECURE Act and its most recent rule change on your IRA and IRA beneficiaries.  Stay up to date with the Paragon Podcast and our written Insights by signing up for our mailing list HERE .    For more information regarding this topic, or to download a transcript...

Are you still trying to figure out NFTs (aka Non-Fungible Tokens)? In this episode Evan Shorten and Elean Mendoza discuss NFTs in simple English. You won't hear any buzz words or tech jargon in this episode. This is the third episode in our digital assets podcast series.    Stay up to date with the Paragon Podcast and our written Insights by signing up for our mailing list HERE .    For more infor...

The start of this year has been much different for financial markets than prior years. The events and corresponding policy response of the last two years have finally made their way through the economy and the consequences are starting to show. Have a listen as Evan Shorten and Elean Mendoza give you an update of the economy and financial markets.    Stay up to date with the Paragon Podcast and ou...

Are you still trying to figure out Ethereum? In this episode Evan Shorten and Elean Mendoza discuss Ethereum in simple English. You won't hear any buzz words or tech jargon in this episode. This is the second episode in our digital assets podcast series.    Stay up to date with the Paragon Podcast and our written Insights by signing up for our mailing list HERE .    For more information regarding...

Are you still trying to figure out Bitcoin? In this episode Evan Shorten and Elean Mendoza discuss Bitcoin in simple English. You won't hear any buzz words or tech jargon in this episode.    Stay up to date with the Paragon Podcast and our written Insights by signing up for our mailing list HERE .    For more information regarding this topic, or to download a transcript of this episode, you may co...

Paying for college is a big financial undertaking. Next to buying a home, paying for college will often be the next largest expense a family will usually make. In this episode of the Paragon Podcast Evan Shorten and Elean Mendoza discuss four things you should do in the four year before your child starts college.    Stay up to date with the Paragon Podcast and our written Insights by signing up fo...

Did you know not all states tax 401k, IRAs, and other retirement accounts? Some states don't tax your income and others don't tax Social Security Benefits. In this episode of the Paragon Podcast, Evan Shorten and Elean Mendoza discuss and compare some of the advantages of moving to a lower cost state.    Stay up to date with the Paragon Podcast and our written Insights by signing up for our mailin...

In this episode Evan Shorten and Elean Mendoza discuss a few ways investors and retirees can deal with rising inflation in a low interest rate environment.    Stay up to date with the Paragon Podcast and our written Insights by signing up for our mailing list HERE .    For more information regarding this topic, or to download a transcript of this episode, you may contact us at the following: Parag...

  You have gone through the arduous process of vising colleges, buying all the bedding, and making the first tuition payment. But, before you get in the car to drop off your child at college, there is still one more task that needs to be completed. - Estate documents.   In this episode Evan Shorten and Elean Mendoza discuss the must have documents before sending your children off to college.    St...