What you will find in this issue:
  • In This Week’s Financial Recap: Home sales slip, the Fed may be discussing an end date for its balance sheet reduction, leading indicators flash weaker signals, and equities continue to climb.
  • Article of the Week: 12 Tax Deductions That Disappeared This Year
  • Annual Tax Guide: This guide reviews the 2019 adjustments to the Internal Revenue Code and more
  • NEW Blog Post: Your Emergency Fund: How Much is Enough?
  • Around the Office: We want to welcome our newest addition, Alexandria Washington, as our Marketing Coordinator!
Weekly Financial News:
This week's headlines
FEBRUARY BEGINS WITH SOME EXCELLENT ECONOMIC DATA
Payrolls swelled with 304,000 net new jobs last month, according to the Department of Labor’s February employment report. (A Bloomberg survey of economists had projected a gain of 165,000.) The number of Americans temporarily laid off or working part time for economic reasons increased greatly in January as a consequence of the partial federal government shutdown; that left the unemployment rate (4.0%) and underemployment rate (8.1%) higher. Average hourly wages were up 3.2% year-over-year. Additionally, the factory sector expanded at a faster pace last month: the Institute for Supply Management’s purchasing manager index improved 2.5 points to a mark of 56.6. 1,2
FED HINTS AT THE POSSIBILITY OF PAUSING RATE HIKES
The Federal Reserve made no interest rate move last week, but at its January 30 press conference, Fed chairman Jerome Powell had an interesting comment for the media: “We believe we can best support the economy by being patient before making any future adjustment to policy.” To investors large and small, that remark sounded like a declaration that the central bank was ready to exercise extra caution in considering future rate increases. Powell noted the recent emergence of “some crosscurrents and conflicting signals about the [economic] outlook” as a factor. 3
You won't be able to take advantage of these now-extinct tax breaks under the new tax code
12 Tax Deductions That Disappeared This Year

Residents in states such as California and New York are likely to be more affected by some of the cut deductions. This tax-filing season, taxpayers are poised to experience the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which eliminated...

Read more
money.usnews.com
Annual Tax Guide 2019
The changes to the Internal Revenue Code (I.R.C.) for 2019 are certainly less extensive than the ones made for 2018. Nevertheless, some significant alterations and adjustments to the I.R.C. are evident this year.

This guide reviews the 2019 adjustments to the Internal
Revenue Code and more:

  • Tax season deadlines
  • Key tax changes & Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs) for households
  • Key tax changes & COLAs for businesses
  • Social Security & Medicare changes
  • Last, but not least, some other interesting developments

Just a reminder as you read this guide: you should consult with a qualified tax or financial professional before making short-term or long-term changes to your
tax or financial strategy.
NEW Blog Post
Your Emergency Fund: How much is Enough?
Your Emergency Fund: How Much is Enough?

An emergency fund may help alleviate the stress associated with a financial crisis. Have you ever had one of those months? The water heater stops heating, the dishwasher stops washing, and your family ends up on a first-name basis with the nurse...

Read more
coveryourassetskc.com
Around the Office:
Meet our NEW Marketing & Events Coordinator
We are excited to introduce you to ... Alexandria Washington.

Alexandria moved from Omaha, NE to Overland Park, KS with her family in 2001 and attended Saint Thomas Aquinas High School. She graduated from Avila University in 2009 with a B.F.A in Acting. When Alexandria is not working she is probably playing fetch with her dog (a Papipoo!), Sophie. She loves to try out new recipes and bake up a storm in the kitchen.

Alexandria holds a Master’s degree in Organization Development from Avila University. Alexandria has worked in marketing for the past decade honing her skills in digital and print advertising. Prior to joining the KC Financial Advisors team Alexandria worked with several, large Kansas City non-profits, writing/securing grants and developing cutting edge marketing strategies.

Five Things You Probably Don’t Know About Alexandria:
  1. Graduated Magna Cum Laude in her undergrad and graduate degree.
  2. Has one older sister named Josephine.
  3. Has never driven anything other than a Jeep!
  4. With her undergrad in theatre, Alexandria has performed in over 40 productions.
  5. Her favorite vacation was traveling all over Italy and eating the BEST gelato in the world.

Cover Your Assets is on ...
iTunes, Google Play, and Spotify!
Do you have a friend or colleague that could benefit from KC Financial Advisors services?
If you know someone who:

  • Would like a second opinion.
  • Doesn't have an income plan.
  • Recent job change - Needs help rolling over 401K
  • Organizing your orphaned 401K's.
  • Is recently widowed or divorced.
  • Still has the same portfolio they did in 2008, but are hoping to find a different result this time.
  • Is looking to reduce their taxes.

Please provide us their contact information or give them our name.

We truly appreciate the opportunity to serve you & those who are important to you! 
Contact Us
Phone: (913) 317-1414
Fax: (913) 317-1416
Our Location
10975 Grandview Drive
Building 27, Suite 190
Overland Park, KS 66210
Disclosures:
Investment Advisory Services are offered through Brookstone Capital Management, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. KC Financial Advisors and Brookstone Capital Management LLC are separate companies. These views should not be construed as investment advice. Neither Brookstone Capital Management LLC nor any named representative gives tax or legal advice. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however, we make no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. Please consult your financial advisor for further information.

Brookstone Capital Management (BCM) and its Investment Advisor Representatives act as fiduciaries for all of our investment management clients. We have an obligation to act in the best interests of our clients and to disclose any conflicts of interests and all associated fees. Additionally, the recently enacted Department of Labor (DOL) Fiduciary Rule imposes a fiduciary duty upon advice given to any retirement account, including qualified insurance annuity products. Please refer to the BCM firm brochure (Form ADV 2A) for additional information regarding the fiduciary standard.

The Five Star Wealth Manager award, administered by Crescendo Business Services, LLC (dba Five Star Professional), should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by Crescendo Business Services or any client. The award methodology does not evaluate the quality of services provided. The award is not indicative of the award winners future performance. For more information on the Five Star Award and the research/selection methodology, go to: www.fivestarprofessional.com/wmresearch .

Dickens Law and KC Financial Advisors are two separate companies, although they share office space. When Dickens Law renders services or gives advice, it does so only on behalf of the Law Firm, and not on behalf of the Financial Firm. Likewise, when KC Financial Advisors renders services or gives advice, it does so only on behalf of the Financial Firm, and not on behalf of Dickens Law, LLC.