One of the distinct joys of serving as a Certified Financial Planner® is the opportunity to explore goals, dreams and experiences with diverse groups of people — as well as designing specific strategies and investment plans that align with those ambitions. It is the dream part that struck me most recently. Dreams can form a foundation for future financial — and life — success. Attitude, discipline and perseverance are necessary ingredients as well! Continue reading “Second, Third & Fourth Acts in Life”
Category: Life
Tribute to Lou Holtz
Lou Holtz, Coach Lou Holtz or simply, “Coach”, to many, transcended more aspects of life than can be counted. His values, imparted to football players and athletes at the highest (and all) levels, CEOs of global companies, military men and women, and even panhandlers, may at times have been received with a slight sting. But Coach Holtz managed to make the “sting” worth it and almost always gave pause to those lucky enough to have listened to him — through his famous lisp!
There are parallels in Coach Holtz’ values to investing, global investment portfolios and asset management. C-suite executives at worldwide consulting firms would agree, as loads of them were coached and developed by Lou Holtz. Coach Holtz’ foundational values were three:
Tempering the AI Hysteria
To borrow a word from a Wall Street Journal columnist*, there are parts of the hysteria around AI that can be calmed with perspective, while acknowledging the world as we know it will continue to evolve unpredictably. Continue reading “Tempering the AI Hysteria”
Bonus Edition – More Good News
In the world of IRA and 401(k) savings, maximum contributions have increased!
Here are the “data points” to get 2026 started on a positive note:
Heavyweight Financial Decisions
Everyone experiences times when there are more decisions to be made and times when matters coast along with relatively less decision-making required. There are various types of “big decisions”, some of which are financial and others that fall in the category of life decisions. Certain of the heaviest decisions combine financial and life aspects. This last type requires research, thought and patience.
“Heavyweight decisions” range from:
Spooktacular Investing Times
It is Halloween, so with an intended pun it must be said: spooktacular times in markets and the economy continue.
AI (Artificial Intelligence) is simultaneously spooky and spectacular. Nvidia, this week, reached a new milestone surpassing all other US companies with a $5 trillion market valuation. Nvidia’s market cap is now larger than the largest semiconductor companies AMD, Arm Holdings, ASML, Broadcom, Intel, Lam Research, Micron Technology, Qualcomm and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing combined.*
Recession or Head Fake?
With the Federal Reserve’s action this week in cutting interests rates by one quarter of one percent, the word “recession” is back in the news as a possibility. There must be literally nothing else financially speaking to talk about. In the meantime, check out two really good slides.
The first slide (above) outlines the vast difference of:
- when a recession really occurs in the economy
- when markets anticipate the recession and react
- versus when the government (the NBER, National Bureau of Economic Research) “declares” a recession.
Year-End Tax Planning 2025
The countdown to year-end will begin soon. With nearly four (4) months remaining in 2025, consider the following Year-End Tax Planning Checklist.* Several of these items, if addressed now, could make a meaningful difference come tax filing season AND add to savings.
- How are you doing on maxing out your 401k? Many people do not know they can temporarily increase their 401k contributions through December 31st to reach the $23,500 maximum contribution (higher max for those age 50, and even higher for those age 60-63).
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- Lots of 401k or 403b plans allow participants to contribute 25-30% of pay – or even 100% of pay (100% can be a temporary measure in order to max out for 2025).
- These 401k contributions can be tax-deductible, unless you are contributing to a Roth 401k. It is not too late!
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Concierge Medical Services
This will be a short TGIF 2 Minutes …on a topic that could take much, much, much longer and can be very, very, very expensive. The topic is healthcare and doctor selection and coverage.
The word, “selection”, is used for a reason. Selecting a Medical Doctor used to be fairly easy. Now, there are less Medical Doctors to go around, they are more expensive, and it seems all the best Medical Doctors have closed their practices. There is a myriad of reasons – beyond the scope of this discussion. Perhaps one of the reasons is outlined below under “concierge medical services”.
“Dog” Days of Late Summer
“Man’s or Woman’s Best Friend”. At a time when true friends have proven to be more valuable than ever, it seems getting a dog is something a good number of people and families do. Long-time dog lovers seem to agree that dogs can bring true happiness to unbearable situations. The saying, “if you want a friend, get a dog” has been around for years, even in the movies. “Dog benefits” range from personal joy to family togetherness…with a good deal of responsibility mixed in.
While a dog can turn out to become a true best friend, the “getting a dog” decision is a BIG one and not to be taken lightly. Considerations are several:
