Category: Life

“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:

Continue reading ““Dog” Days of Late Summer”

Shrinkflation & Jackson Hole

Today is a day that has become quietly (or not so quietly) famous in market and global economic circles. Today is the Friday of the annual Jackson Hole Economic Symposium held in the city of same name in Wyoming since 1978. The “summit” is organized by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and gathers central bankers, economists and policy makers from around the world. Friday at Jackson Hole has evolved to become an occasion when the US Federal Reserve Chairman serves up his or her keynote speech.

One key topic of the speech will be inflation: is inflation still around and how to contain it. Fed Chair Jerome Powell will probably not mention shrinkflation but he will mention inflation.

Continue reading “Shrinkflation & Jackson Hole”

Knock, Knock (No Joke)

Compliments to one of my colleagues for highlighting this disturbing trend – under the heading, “this could never happen to me”:

Apparently, there is a new trend emerging in the ever-evolving landscape of fraud. In this case, fraudsters are showing up at victims’ homes or arranging in-person meetings with the aim of collecting physical cash, gold bars or other valuables. This in-person, “show up at the door” version of fraud is a significant shift from digital scams – where the victim’s financial and other assets and data are at risk – to a scenario in which the victims could end up in imminent danger of physical harm.

Continue reading “Knock, Knock (No Joke)”

The Economics of a Hole In One

Despite holding an MBA in finance and the CFP certification, the “economics” of a Hole in One are over my head. It is summer, so the topic is relevant – and there have been one or more Holes in One per month for the last year at my golf club. Even pickle-ballers can sound in on this one.

A Hole in One for a golfer – from professional to putt-putt – is a big deal! On a regulation golf course, public or private, there are actual (unwritten but established) rules around the accomplishment ranging from:

  • Tradition since the beginning of time holding that the person scoring the “ace” buys everyone in the clubhouse a cocktail or drink.
  • Local members of golf clubs and friends are known to have driven from home to participate in the “free drink” celebration. (Hold the thought: “free drink”).

Continue reading “The Economics of a Hole In One”

TGIF Meets OBBBA (One Big Beautiful Bill Act) Inbox

The One Big Beautiful Bill, now OBBB Act, was…. big. TGIF 2 Minutes is all about giving as complete and concise a message as possible. There will be follow-ups to the OBBBA, and as one analyst concluded, the “2026 Surprise” will come with “patches” to various wordings and actual applications of parts of the OBBBA, similar to the Secure Act – in particular referencing “patches” that came over time to the Secure Act for required minimum distributions from Inherited IRAs.

The OBBBA is far too BIG to be summarized by any one person. Although several nuggets can be highlighted, followed up by more highlights and so on. Here are a handful of major topics, with brief explanations. These are meant to spur questions and conversations that are relevant and unique to each client and each person.* Also, important – please keep in mind that due to the relatively higher wealth and income of most folks reading today, income phase-outs of lots of these provisions make a number of them less impactful (perhaps a “quality problem” to have?).

Continue reading “TGIF Meets OBBBA (One Big Beautiful Bill Act) Inbox”

Critical Mid-Year Tax-Related Ideas

Mid-Year is an important time to review several significant saving and spending decisions, possibly affecting taxes too. With just under 6 months remaining in the tax year – there’s still time to make a meaningful difference. Consider:

  • Confirming amounts being deferred pre- or post-tax into 401k and other retirement accounts (and whether to max out?)
  • Evaluating savings goals versus reality
  • If not begun yet, giving savings goals a jump start
  • Quantifying college savings account contributions
  • Creating and funding Trusts

These and other important decisions can be evaluated or adjusted – think of the process as forming goals or “mini-goals”.

Continue reading “Critical Mid-Year Tax-Related Ideas”

From “AI” to Fresh Brewed Coffee

Simply thinking about coffee can get a person’s morning moving in a positive direction. In this case, AI nearly brewed the coffee.

Last week’s TGIF 2 Minutes featured compelling details about the use of AI, or Artificial Intelligence, by individuals and “normal” people. The majority of reader feedback was positive – and led a number of folks to try an AI assistant for the first time! A handful of perceptive readers expressed lingering hesitation about the potential dangers of AI in general. Understandable.

Continue reading “From “AI” to Fresh Brewed Coffee”

“AI” Is Changing It All

Call it Tech Summer. Last week’s topic was cryptocurrency; this week’s is AI, or Artificial Intelligence. AI is driving markets and businesses with unstoppable speed. Speaking of speed, today’s note will be a short one!

The original title of today’s TGIF 2 Minutes was, “AI is and will continue to change everything“. But that title was too long. A quick request to an AI assistant for a shorter title offered: “AI is changing it all.” Hence, today’s title. PS. the remainder of today’s note is written by yours truly.

Continue reading ““AI” Is Changing It All”

Crypto Quarterly is Back!

Keeping up with developments in Bitcoin and the world of cryptocurrency is challenging, but not impossible. Especially with AI assistants (like Grok or Chat GPT) answers can be attained – literally instantly – to basic and complex questions. Having dedicated crypto experts and research teams on hand is helpful as well!* “Keeping up with crypto” is a relative term. Merely dipping a toe into the water to learn more is a form of keeping up with this evolving space, so go for it.

Here is a term that helps define how different the various cryptocurrencies are from one another: ecosystems. Cryptocurrency is not a single, big chunk of one “thing”. Rather, there are multiple ecosystems and thousands of interconnected cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin is the best-known cryptocurrency, most dominant and most widely accepted for making purchases at this time. Ethereum is another well-known cryptocurrency. Solana is another. Each operates in its own ecosystem and has extremely different qualities.

Continue reading “Crypto Quarterly is Back!”

Father’s Day & World News

Recent LA and world events – and staying glued to TV & social media news broadcasts – could potentially add a downbeat mood to what is otherwise one of the best-meaning holidays and weekends of the year. Even if Father’s Day does not bring personal good vibes, this mid-June time of the year can be awesome. Consider:

  • It is almost the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere! Sunrise to sunset, lots of daylight. First day of summer and longest day is coming up on June 20th.
  • The men’s US Open golf championship will be decided this Sunday, Father’s Day! The top 5 players so far do not include the usual famous names…so it could be an exciting finish with a lesser-known golfer making US history!
  • The stock markets, despite volatility, are hanging in there with modest gains year-to-date – and more so if a portfolio was thoughtful enough to have a healthy allocation to non-US equities. Do they report that on the news? Considering previous world events that rocked markets in 2020, 2022 and earlier in 2025, US and global markets recognize the immense advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and the chips and technology that are driving this unstoppable force.
  • What is your favorite food? Might it be peaches? Tomatoes? Blueberries? Watermelon? These items are in season! Even if chocolate or cake is your favorite food, try adding peaches or blueberries. Even the price of eggs is down massively. The news does not report these positive data points in the headlines.

Enjoy the almost start to summer, try to unplug and enjoy the weekend and Father’s Day. Happy Father’s Day to all the great Dads and father figures!

This material has been prepared for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, tax, legal or accounting advice