FAQ: Now that the market is at all-time highs, how should I change my investments strategy? Answer: This is an excellent question that we get from our members whenever the market makes new highs (which has been often, lately). The answer is that a new high should have little relevance on your asset allocation. The […]
Retirement FAQ: Should I Change My Portfolio Based on the Iran Conflict?
FAQ: What should I do now that the U.S. has killed an Iranian General and tensions seem to be escalating? Is now a good time to reduce my portfolio risk? Answer: Nothing. No, you do not want to make any changes in your portfolio based on geopolitical risk, concerns, or situations. It will be a […]
Utilizing Risk To Your Advantage
As planners who attempt to evaluate and manage numerous variables in our Member’s financial lives, the question of risk comes up often. To many novice investors, these questions are almost framed as if we, as retirement and financial experts, have some proprietary insight into the future, a crystal ball that has been honed by years […]
Retirement FAQ: What is a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD)?
FAQ: What is a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) and Does it Apply to Me? A Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) is an IRS rule that requires owners of pre-tax retirement accounts (Traditional IRA, 401k, SIMPLE IRA, SEP IRA) to begin taking an annual minimum distribution by April 1st of the year following the year they turn […]
What Should I do with the Market at All Time-Highs?
It is a common fear. Nobody wants to be the one who invested money in March of 2000 or October of 2007. Investing at the top of a market rally can leave a sting not only to your investment account, but also to your pride. In fact, behavioral finance experiments have proven that people are […]
Retirement FAQ: Your Friend’s “Hot Stock Tip”
FAQ: My friend told me I should buy (fill in the blank) stock. He knows a guy who works there and says the stock is about to make a big move. What do you think? Answer: There is a an old saying on Wall Street, if you want a million dollars, all you need is […]
A Few Year End Financial Tips
2019 is quickly coming to an end. The coming months represent not just the last few weeks or the year, but of the decade. Here are a few financial tips to consider as we approach December 31st: Income Taxes – If you are paid irregularly, on 1099, or own your own business, you are required […]
Retirement FAQ: When Do People Normally Retire?
FAQ: When do people normally retire? Answer: We always approach this question with a bit of skepticism. Not because we don’t think the individual asking is serious, but because we believe the question they mean to ask is “When is it best for me to retire?” The truth is that retirement should be a personal […]
What is a Roth IRA Conversion and is it Right for Me?
There has been a lot of buzz around our office lately about Roth IRA conversions. It is a hot topic of conversation in the low income tax environment we are currently experiencing. This blog post will attempt to explain what a Roth conversion is and to give you some insight as to whether or not […]
Retirement Q&A – Do I Need an Attorney?
My situation seems fairly straightforward; do I need to hire an attorney to execute my will or can I use software and do it myself? Have you ever googled “Pinterest Fails?” There are thousands of examples of do-it-yourself projects gone bad, many of which can provide a good laugh. When you are dabbling in recipes […]
