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.
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.
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”
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”
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”
And you thought going to the gym was hard?! Try Budgeting.
Please don’t quit reading yet – this may be one of the most frequent topics I discuss with my clients especially at tax time. Add in the ever-increasing future costs of healthcare and nearly everyone (wealthy or building wealth) will care about a budget at some point.
Continue reading “You Thought Going to the Gym is Hard, Try Budgeting”
Do we blame it on the Philadelphia Eagles winning the Super Bowl?? (just kidding- I am glad the underdogs won!)
From the archives of TGIF 2 minutes I found a very handy message – one that still holds true two years later for surviving the weakness we are currently experiencing in the stock and bond markets. Here is the original article: click here. The title of the message was “‘Gut Check’ in Rocky Markets” (Jan. 2016). As even as the most experienced savers and investors can tell you, down markets are not fun and they can be scary and stressful. However, I try to remind my clients and friends NOT to allow short-term market moves (weekly, monthly, quarterly…even lasting the course of a year) to lead you to make poor decisions. Rather, make your investing decisions alongside a trusted adviser – and ideally far in advance of a market decline. (Hint: most of my clients can stop reading here and say “TGIF”.)
“Let the good times roll.” I am partial to this expression because my Dad used to say this a lot either as a toast or a statement when things were going well.
As I look at the last few years’ markets, the current economy and the lives and businesses of my clients the expression definitely applies.
Let the good times roll!
In a previous edition of TGIF 2 minutes I reviewed the topic of “Caring for Aging Parents.” The subject remains a big, big topic of conversation with friends and clients. PLUS, as people experience caring for a parent they suddenly say: How much do I need to be concerned about planning for MY OWN Long-Term Care down the line?!
Definitely a smart question and hence the “2.0”. The costs of Long-Term Care are staggering, and the emotions can be too. Let’s take a brief look at recent news on costs. Continue reading “Caring For Aging Parents 2.0”
A couple of planning “gems” to pass along from the plethora of great financial news reporting* on the new Tax Plan.
