Congress Passes SECURE Act
Congress recently passed the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement, or SECURE Act. The bill marks some of the most significant changes to retirement policy in more than a decade.
Taking Stock of 2019, Looking to 2020
We have much to be thankful for this year. Stock markets are riding high as we approach the end of 2019. The S&P 500 has returned nearly 30% with dividends, the MSCI EAFE index of developed markets is up over 21%, and the MSCI Emerging Markets index has gained about 15%.
The Value of Automatic Savings
Nick Murray, one of the most prolific scholars in our industry, states in his book Behavioral Investment Counseling that “your family’s financial well-being in later life, and its ability to leave significant legacies to its children, will depend largely on what percentage of its income it manages to save – perhaps the ultimate behavioral variable.”
3rd Quarter 2019 Newsletter
Below please find our 3rd Quarter 2019 Newsletter. Enclosed you’ll find articles on the state of the markets, financial planning, and investing.
The Power of Compound Interest
Albert Einstein called compound interest “the eighth wonder of the world.” He went on to say, “He who understands it, earns it; he who doesn’t, pays it.”
4 Avoidable Financial Errors for Millennials & Gen X
First off, lets clarify any confusion between the terms Gen X and Millennials. Generation X is currently age 40 to 54 (born between 1965 and 1979). Millennials (also known as Generation Y) are currently age 24 to 39 (born between 1980 and 1995).
What To Make Of Last Week’s Jobs Report
With the markets fluctuating on a day-to-day basis from headlines such as U.S.-China trade and Federal Reserve monetary policy, it’s important to maintain perspective on the overall health of the U.S. economy.
The Yield Curve and Other Economic Indicators
Of the market and economic indicators that usually precede recessions, none receives quite the attention as the steepness of the yield curve. It’s for this reason that markets reacted with uncertainty to last week’s intra-day yield curve inversion – the first since 2007. What does this mean for long-term investors and what’s different this time?
When a Corporate Trustee Makes Sense
In 2014, Wells Fargo published the findings of a study that focused on how American families communicate about personal finance. They discovered that money is harder for families to talk about than death!
So The Fed Cuts Rates, Then What?
This week, the Fed is widely expected to lower interest rates for the first time since 2008. Given a decelerating global economy and mixed economic data in the U.S., along with macroeconomic risks such as U.S. – China trade talks, there are many factors affecting the Fed’s rate decision.
New Tax Law Impacting Charitable Giving?
Recently, the Wall Street Journal reported that charitable giving by individuals saw the biggest drop in nearly ten years. According to the article, donations dropped by over 3% after four straight years of increased giving.
New Rules Benefit 529 College Savings Plans
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act includes a provision to now allow 529 Plans to be used for private elementary and high school expenses, rather than just college related expenses. The new rules are a treat for both parents and grandparents looking for a better way to pay for private educational costs.
Pathway to Wealth for Gen X and Millennials (and Gen Z)
Pathway® is a financial planning and investment program focused on early and mid-career professionals. Planning for this demographic is crucial, given working professionals experience major life events so frequently.
1st Quarter 2019 Newsletter
Below please find our 1st Quarter 2019 Newsletter. Enclosed you’ll find articles on the state of the markets, financial planning, and investing.
Concentrated Stock Can Be Hazardous To Your Wealth
First, we must ask “What do we consider a concentrated stock position?” The rule of thumb is 10% of your investable net worth. Now, rules of thumb can sometimes get us in trouble, but the risk should be looked at from a holistic prospective.
