How do you say “Brexit” in Italian?? My best shot is: Brexissimo.
Not that it matters, because it didn’t happen. What is it? This week saw yet another “threat” to the global markets… that was over in almost less than one day.
Author: kerriemsfsblog
Hot Topic: Fiduciary Rule
Now the Pope is involved.
Yes, Pope Francis. Just last week the Vatican in Rome issued a bulletin in which Pope Francis took aim at the financial services industry. His broad topic was how financial advisers manage the “savings” of their clients. By “savings” it was taken to mean the savings, investments and accounts of clients. His Holiness even used the word fiduciary criticizing “advisers who failed to act as a fiduciary by not avoiding conflicts of interest and not working as a prudent professional”.^
Remember College Graduation?
College graduation may have been a long, long time ago for some of us or more recently for others – or for your kids or grandkids.
Inspired by this weekend’s upcoming graduation at the University of Notre Dame and “graduation season” in general I offer several basic pieces of personal financial advice that hold meaning for nearly everyone at every age.
14 Numbers That May Surprise You
These are from a recent article in the Journal of Financial Planning (May 2018) – and they are not snoozers! In fact, several truly surprised me. Check ’em out. And I did not make them up – these are all from formal surveys.
Job Migration: Is it Because of Taxes?
Have you heard about the increasing move or “migration” of jobs and corporate headquarters to cities OTHER than New York and San Francisco? Recent reports highlight not just the move of mere jobs but also the move of the CEO and corporate HQ! Several underlying factors including taxes and home affordability are worth considering.
New World… Of Higher Bond Yields
Calling it a “New World” is a bit of an exaggeration but since this week the yield on the 10-year US government bond topped 3% for the first time in four years, it was kind of a big deal in the investing world.
The 10-year US government bond is a benchmark and indicator for a number of things including: mortgages, companies borrowing to grow, the price of oil … and, yes, stock prices. We all know that the “financial crisis” is now 10 years in the past and for the past 10 years interest rates have been super LOW. This has been both positive and negative for investors. Continue reading “New World… Of Higher Bond Yields”
Onward to Tax Year 2018
Did you finish your taxes? Technically you have until Tuesday, April 17th to file – and pay if you owe – because of Emancipation Day in Washington, DC on Monday, April 16th AND a Sunday being April 15th.
Last year was bitter-sweet for taxpayers and investors. The stock markets enjoyed gains, gains, gains in 2017 – almost the 9th year in a row – and the economy delivered mostly good things in the way of jobs and incomes. There are always exceptions, of course, but 2017 was mostly a great year economically and investments-wise. So even though you probably paid more in taxes and likely had less investment losses to offset gains, it was a positive year. Remember, rebalancing your portfolio is a critical tool but one that can create taxable gains — and an attentive, qualified adviser will guide you to minimizing inevitable taxes on a profitable portfolio. Continue reading “Onward to Tax Year 2018”
Have You Heard of the “Triple Bottom Line”?
Here is a concept that is super meaningful to EVERY age group, EVERY economic stratum and (hopefully) across the ENTIRE political spectrum: Triple Bottom Line, or “TBL”.
For the younger readers, this term is much more familiar and probably even taught in universities for the past decade or two. But for others this term may have gotten lost in the sea of such terms as “synergy,” “social impact,” and “environmentally friendly”. HOWEVER – TBL is the real deal. And we are seeing it at work inside the framework of capitalism as well as “outside” the purely capitalistic-driven world: a growing world where profit matters, BUT not at the expense of people and the environment. Please read on. Continue reading “Have You Heard of the “Triple Bottom Line”?”
Don’t Let Market Volatility Ruin Your Spring Break
Good Morning and Happy Spring Break,
Seriously? Is this what Spring Break is supposed to be about? If you are somewhere in Florida or Hilton Head on vacation and anxiously checking your portfolio… then the answer is NO. On the other hand, if you are on vacation and you know that your Adviser “has your back” and your financial PLAN is in place, then the answer is YES. The latter is the definition of “peace of mind.” Peace of Mind does not always come easy – it takes preparation.
Continue reading “Don’t Let Market Volatility Ruin Your Spring Break”
What is Techlash?
A short TGIF as we enter the Easter weekend (or “Easter Triduum” in Church language).
I learned a new term this week*, “techlash” plus I found a couple of startling stats about tech – inspired by the mini- (soon to be major?) crisis going on with Facebook and the privacy of its users’ information. The situation is kind of unfortunate for those who may have given up Facebook for Lent….just in time for the #DeleteFacebook campaign to be kicking into high gear. (Full disclosure: I do not have a Facebook account.)
“Techlash” is the backlash that has affected the entire tech sector in response to Mark Zuckerberg’s – and Facebook’s – lack of response to their crisis which may spill over into other major tech companies’ operating models.
Continue reading “What is Techlash?”