Domestic markets endured another uneventful week, with two of the three major US indices posting losses over 1% for the period. Coming into the month of December, we were told how, historically, this is a bullish time of year for equities. Unfortunately, “historically” is just another term for “average” and while December may typically be…
We experienced more of the choppy environment in equities this past week. Although these types of swings are more common than many realize (remember, the low volatility environment of 2017 was the real anomaly), we understand that large down days in the market can be bothersome. Most of the drama occurred early on Monday, after…
Well, it’s that time of year again. That time when mutual fund companies report distributions for capital gains taxes. Just in time for the holidays and a total buzzkill on all of that discretionary spending you planned on participating in. “But I’m in a Buy & Hold portfolio and didn’t sell. How can I…
Great news for savers! The IRS announced today that taxpayers will be able to contribute $6,000 to their traditional individual retirement accounts in 2019, up from the $5,500 level in place since 2013. Participants in 401(k) plans will be able to set aside up to $19,000 before taxes next year, up from $18,500. This is a…
Money woes are the leading cause of divorce in American couples. Over ⅓ of people in the United States have stated that financial pressure was the biggest challenge their marriage has faced in the past, and ¼ of Americans have said most of their arguments are money-related. As a financial planner, I work with a…
Were you surprised to learn that Brett Kavanaugh, a Supreme Court justice nominee with an annual income of $247,000, could have racked up debt and saved so little for retirement? A recent article in Vanity Fair reports that the Washington native accrued between $60,000 and $200,000 on three credit cards and a loan for Washington…
Let’s face it – we live in a world where people expect their needs will be met with instant gratification. Social media, online shopping and the availability of having access to everything right at our fingertips means that consumers have high expectations that their needs will be met immediately without having to wait for what…
Many feel they don’t have the money they need to invest, so they forego savings altogether. Sound familiar? If this is you, the time has come for you to stop shooting yourself in the foot, and start saving today. Consistency while saving is key, and can make all the difference over time. Each dollar that…
We hear from prospects all the time “ I manage a complex budget for my firm, yet I just can’t seem to sift through my personal finances.” Welcome the financial planner to your life. It may sound like a foreign concept to some, but for many simply having their own emotions attached to their personal…
“Winning the lottery is crucial to my retirement plan.” Does it surprise you to hear that this is a real quote from an American worker? Sadly, it’s not just one person’s perspective. It’s a sentiment that is shared by the 40-50% of Americans who believe that winning the lottery is the only way they can…