Despite two major US banks failing, coupled with central banks’ attempt to fight persistent inflation, the US and International markets experienced some positive momentum! The Banking System One of our recent articles was about the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), the 2nd largest US bank failure in history.  This sent a ripple effect into […]

Thinking about your financial future can be mind-numbing, let alone searching for a financial advisor who can help you.  Why are there so many different titles?  Do they all do the same thing?  Is a financial advisor a fiduciary?  Are they ALWAYS a fiduciary?  Finally, what differentiates advisors who work for large companies vs independent […]

Easy money policy beginning in 2009 led to a historical run in tech companies.  Companies that rely on leverage to aggressively grow were borrowing money for next to nothing!  Investors weren’t even concerned with cash flows, or healthy balance sheets.  If the idea seemed like it could stick, they would take their bets.  Some paid […]

Congratulations!  Lots of blood, sweat, and tears went into a successful career, and you have saved enough to start thinking about when to retire.  If you’ve been saving into a 401k, 403b, or another retirement plan through work, you’ve probably heard of  Required Minimum Distributions or “RMDs.”  You might be wondering; “What are the rules […]

What is a safe withdrawal rate for retirement? There will be ongoing debates on what a safe withdrawal rate is for retirees.  It’s the Holy Grail of retirement planning.  After all, wouldn’t it be nice to know EXACTLY how much you could withdraw from your portfolio, and most importantly, for how long?   Unfortunately, there isn’t a […]

As we start 2023, it’s important for us to take some time to reflect on this past year before turning the page.   That way, we can bring in the new year with a fresh perspective on where the opportunities are.  In addition to investment opportunities, the SECURE Act 2.0 passed in December, which brings about […]

The 2022 bear market hits retirees the hardest As we prepare to close out 2022, retirees and pre-retirees are facing the worst possible scenario, a triple bear market.  US stocks, along with international stocks will likely be down double digits.  US bonds will close in the red 10%+ year to date.   And cash, although yields […]

Don’t have a Long-term care plan? You are not alone! Nobody likes to think about the possibility of a family member caring for them later in life.  However, the number one concern I hear from my clients is “I don’t want to be a burden on my children.”  When I ask about how a long-term […]

Tax efficiency maximizes retirement income! When I started my first job as a soccer referee at 12 years old, my Mom used to tell me; “it’s not what you earn, it’s what you keep!”  I’m not sure if working at 12 years of age is legal any longer, but I’ve had a job ever since.  […]

Benjamin Franklin said “the only two certainties in life are death and taxes.”  As a fiduciary financial advisor, one of the most important topics to address is how to divide assets in a blended family. If something were to happen to you, how do things play out?  How do you divide an estate with step […]

You are in the final stretch of your career! Congratulations on a successful career!  You’re in the proverbial 7th inning stretch, ready to finish strong and start the next chapter.   Along with all of the excitement is a bit of uncertainty about the unknown.   Use our updated “Retirement Readiness Checklist” to help you prepare for […]

Primary service models for financial advisors There are so many different terms for “financial advisor,” it could make your head spin!  Financial advisor, financial planner, fiduciary financial advisor, wealth management advisor, financial consultant, flat fee financial advisor, financial therapist, and the list goes on.  To make things simple, professionals providing financial advice can be categorized […]

What is a blended family and why does it impact my retirement plan? First, what is a blended family? Simply put, a blended family means a remarriage that involves children from a previous marriage or relationship.  Maybe you and your new spouse both have children from previous marriages, or, perhaps you have children, got remarried, […]

“Should I own life insurance in retirement?” Your kids might be financially independent, your mortgage is close to being paid off, and you are getting close to having what you need to retire comfortably. You might be wondering, “Should I own life insurance in retirement?”  So, before you go and cancel that policy, read this […]

Pay me now or pay me later applies to your retirement accounts. Let’s talk about when it makes sense to pay up now and minimize your tax liability during retirement.

Investment losses can be painful, but they often come with great opportunity. This includes not only buying equities at discounted prices, but significant tax benefits if you are opportunistic.

Inflation is running hot, the market is volatile, and I-Bonds have become attractive. This article addresses the basics of I-Bonds and how you can assess if they are right for you.

“How do fiduciary financial advisors add value?” In my nearly 14 years in this business, I’ve seen financial advice given by many different professionals. Insurance agents, stock brokers, bank representatives, real estate professionals, next door neighbors and the like. I’ve seen some great advice given, but also some terrible advice. This often times leads to […]

“Should I use an HSA?” In simple terms, a Health Savings Account, or “HSA,” is an account owned by an individual that can be used to pay for health care expenses, either now, or in the future.  The accounts are eligible for those who have a High Deductible Health Plan and are funded with pre-tax […]

Tax Benefits of Charitable Giving The Annual Report on Philanthropy from Giving USA estimates that individuals gave $324.10 billion to US charities in 2020.  This was an increase of 2.2% year over year from the 2019 report.  Despite all of the negative news the media likes to focus their attention on,  America is a very […]

Have you stress tested your retirement goals? “When you retire, there are two doors in which you can walk through.  Door #1, the people outlive the money.  Door #2, the money outlives the people.  My mission is to help people walk through door #2.”  – Nick Murray Karen and Pat had a goal to retire […]

70% of those 65 and older will need long-term care services. The question is, how will you pay for it? We will address buying insurance vs “self-insuring” in our article.

You’re invited to join us live on Thursday, September 30th @ 2pm – 3pm EST. Free Webinar Have you stress tested your retirement plans? If you are within 10 years of retirement, you must have a plan for the 6 “what-if” scenarios that could derail your financial goals. The year was 2007, and my parents […]

Planning for retirement after losing a loved one is difficult. The key is taking it one step at a time and consult with the right professionals.

What factors go into retirement withdrawal strategies? The primary concern for just about everyone I meet with is how to retire with the same lifestyle they currently enjoy.  “Retiring” has a different meaning now than it did 20-30 years ago.  Nowadays, people retire TO something.  Whether it be to travel the world, spend time with […]