Jan 20, 2022 | Financial Planning, Questions & Answers
Do you know there are over 1,800 rules related to Social Security? Trying to figure out how to maximize your Social Security benefit can be confusing and frustrating. This article will provide you with some practical tips to ensure you make the most of your benefit....
Jan 6, 2022 | Financial Planning, Questions & Answers
Make it a New Year’s resolution to check IRA beneficiary forms and employer plan beneficiary forms. If you got married, had a birth/adoption or a death in the family in 2021, these forms may need to be updated. What better way to start the new year than with a...
Dec 2, 2021 | Financial Planning, Questions & Answers, Taxes
It’s that time of year again and we know what’s on your mind. No, not exercising off the extra five pounds from this year’s Thanksgiving feast. It’s time for year-end planning to set yourself up for success in 2022. As you have heard us say countless times before, so...
Nov 18, 2021 | Uncategorized
Let’s start out with a disclaimer: we do not consider ourselves experts on cryptocurrency (or blockchain technology). At the same time, it is our responsibility as advisors to understand enough to identify potential pitfalls and/or opportunities, so we offer this...
Nov 4, 2021 | Financial Planning, Taxes
How to invest tax efficiently in the higher tax environment with the looming tax changes The debate about tax policy and infrastructure spending continues to heat up in Washington. President Biden is close to getting his spending bill passed in Congress and as a...
Oct 21, 2021 | Economy & Markets, Investing, Investor Behavior
When is transitory inflation no longer transitory? Last quarter we wrote a lot about inflation; in particular how the Fed has labeled current inflationary pressures as transitory (i.e. temporary) and they were open to “talking about talking about tapering”. Since...
Oct 7, 2021 | Financial Planning, Questions & Answers, Taxes
Investment real estate is a wonderful way to build wealth over time. This is a strategy that has been successful for many of our clients over the years. There are many benefits to owning real estate investment properties. These include the ability to create a passive...
Sep 24, 2021 | Financial Planning, Questions & Answers, Taxes
Last week the House Ways and Mean Committee released a bill detailing some changes to the tax code. We have been watching these events very closely and wanted to bring you an update. While the law is not in its final form, we wanted to make you aware of some of the...
Sep 2, 2021 | Financial Planning
The traditional approach to retirement planning involved selecting an age to retire, determining how much you want to spend in retirement and then saving and investing over time until you can finally stop working and live the life you want. While this traditional...
Aug 19, 2021 | Financial Planning, Questions & Answers
Many people dream of early retirement. For others, early retirement may be forced upon them due to downsizing by their employer. In either case, the issue of how to fill the health insurance gap between early retirement and their eligibility for Medicare is a key...
Aug 5, 2021 | Financial Planning, Questions & Answers
The 401(k) plan has grown to become the most popular type of employer-sponsored retirement plan in America. Millions of workers depend on the money they have invested in these plans to provide for their retirement years. An important consideration when you are...
Jul 15, 2021 | Economy & Markets, Investing, Investor Behavior
‘Inflation’ is the word of the quarter Just like last year’s shutdown was unlike anything we have seen, it should come as no surprise that the recovery has also been unlike any other. With tremendous amounts of fiscal stimulus being pumped into the economy,...
Jul 1, 2021 | Financial Planning
The pandemic has been a trying time for most of us. Our normal daily routines have been disrupted, giving way to new ways of living. We have had to adapt and change to new habits and lifestyles. I frequently hear that the pandemic has provided many of us with a new...
Jun 17, 2021 | Economy & Markets, Financial Planning
There is much speculation among financial experts that inflation is going to rear its ugly head in the near future. Inflation is the scenario in which most things we purchase get more expensive over time. This can be devastating as your retirement savings don’t go as...
Jun 3, 2021 | Financial Planning, Investor Behavior
Being a successful long-term investor is easy as long as you keep these key takeaways into consideration: Be patient and remain calm in all market environments (we take each scenario into account when building your asset allocation).Your retirement time horizon could...
May 20, 2021 | Financial Planning, Questions & Answers, Taxes
It’s no secret there are changes coming to the tax code. President Biden’s tax plans are still in development, but even if we see nothing out of Washington, most of the lower tax rates set under the Tax Cuts and Job Act of 2017 are set to expire at the end of...
May 6, 2021 | Financial Planning, Investing, Questions & Answers
Does your 401(k) offer an after-tax component? If so, you might be eligible to take advantage of the “Mega Back Door Roth IRA strategy.” For many people, contributing to a Roth IRA is a great way to save for retirement because of it’s tax advantages. ...
Apr 22, 2021 | Economy & Markets, Investing, Investor Behavior
It is hard to believe that we have been dealing with Covid-19 for over a year now. Remember where we were at the end of the first quarter of 2020: the longest bull market run in history had ended, we experienced the fastest bear market in history, and we were all...
Apr 8, 2021 | Economy & Markets, Interesting Links, Questions & Answers
President Biden announced The American Rescue Plan of 2021 in January and signed it into law on March 11th in response to those affected by the COVID-19 crisis. This includes support for individuals, small businesses, state and local governments, schools, industries...
Mar 18, 2021 | Economy & Markets, Market Timing
For most investors, volatility in the stock market creates more fear than almost anything else. Bear markets (measured by the S&P 500 being down 20% or more) and smaller corrections (measured by the S&P 500 being down 10%) are enough to cause the common...
Mar 4, 2021 | Economy & Markets, Financial Planning
Inflation is the effect of the goods and services you like to consume getting more expensive over time. Another way to look at inflation is the money you use to buy things becoming less valuable, so you need more of it to purchase the goods and services you...
Feb 18, 2021 | Financial Planning, Investing
What role does fixed income play in your portfolio? How do we squeeze return out of bonds in today’s ultra-low interest rate environment? We have often discussed or written about the topic of the premium that equity investors may receive over time in...
Feb 4, 2021 | Financial Planning, Taxes
After a year of so much uncertainty and isolation for many, we can vow to focus on our physical health and our mental health as we head into 2021. Having a good financial plan in place will help you create peace around the issue of money and that can translate...
Jan 21, 2021 | Financial Planning, Interesting Links
Do you start a new year with the initial thought of “what do I need to accomplish and/or what do I want my life to look like in the next 12 months”? January seems to be a turning point for many as we head into a new year and it is not too late to reflect on our goals...
Jan 7, 2021 | Financial Planning, Interesting Links
In the November Election, California Proposition 19 was voted on and approved. The Proposition goes into effect on February 16, 2021 and will change the rules for some tax assessment transfers after this deadline. From the perspective of the taxpayer, there is...
Jan 7, 2021 | Financial Planning, Interesting Links, Questions & Answers
1. Make it a New Year’s resolution to check IRA beneficiary forms and employer plan beneficiary forms. If you got married, had a birth/adoption or a death in the family in 2020, these forms may need to be updated. What better way to start the new year than with a new...
Dec 17, 2020 | Financial Planning, Interesting Links, Investor Behavior
This time of the year often brings nostalgia as I prepare for holiday celebrations with family and friends and reminisce about events over the past year. It also gets me thinking forward to my goals and aspirations for the new year. Feeling nostalgic and celebratory...
Dec 3, 2020 | Financial Planning, Taxes
As we are quickly approaching the end of the year, I find myself reflecting on the many things I am thankful for. Family, friends, health, and the ability to do meaningful work for wonderful clients to help them create peace around the issue of money are top of mind....
Nov 19, 2020 | Financial Planning
It’s hard to believe that 2020 is almost over. Normally we get a little nostalgic this time of year as we reflect on what has transpired so far. Not this year! We couldn’t be more excited to close the books on 2020 and get a fresh start in 2021. Hopefully, there is a...
Nov 5, 2020 | Economy & Markets, Financial Planning, Investing
As I write this, a winner in the 2020 U.S. Presidential election has not been declared and a bitterly contentious, hard-fought battle for the Oval Office ensues. But one thing we know for certain is that the U.S. stock market is bigger than any one person or one...
Oct 1, 2020 | Economy & Markets
What is driving the returns in the stock market this year? There seems to be a disconnect between the economy and the stock market. These are concerns I hear frequently. You may be wondering why the annual return of a globally diversified portfolio...
Oct 1, 2020 | Economy & Markets, Investing
Right now, the election is top of mind for everyone. The 2020 U.S. Presidential Election has the potential to affect different aspects of financial planning including Social Security, income tax policy and the financial markets. Since it is impossible to predict who...
Sep 17, 2020 | Financial Planning, Taxes
Congratulations! You made it to retirement, but saving money in different types of investment accounts is only half of the battle. The other half is how do you get your hard-earned assets back to you in a tax efficient manner? There are a number of retirement...
Jan 6, 2022 | Questions & Answers
Do you start a new year with the initial thought of “what do I need to accomplish and/or what do I want my life to look like in the next 12 months?” January seems to be a turning point for many as we head into a new year and it is not too late to reflect on our...
Oct 7, 2021 | Financial Planning, Questions & Answers
Football, pumpkins, crisp morning air and shorter days are all a sign of a new season. Fall is my favorite time of year and, although it may feel a bit different because of our current world health crisis, I’m going to do my best to enjoy as much of this season...
