Blog
What’s on our mind? You can read about it in our blog. Whether it’s ideas from the industry or emerging trends, you can read about it here. And once in a while, we may throw in a movie review or some other surprise. So keep checking in. We’re glad to have you reading along.
Financial Planning and Life Insurance Reviews
Financial Planning and Life Insurance Reviews Have you ever made a $400,000 mistake? How about a $3 million dollar mistake? In my time as a financial planner I have witnessed more than one life insurance mistake happen...
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Financial Planning for Fall 2022
How to prepare your financial plan for rising interest rates. In the last year the mainstreet economy has come roaring back. Along with travel and sectors of the economy impacted by COVID. Consumers are starting to dip...
Read MoreImportant Details on Student Loan Relief
Heading into fall 2022 you might have student loan questions, concerns or confusion. Below you will find a few key points about the recent changes made to the federal student loan program and federal student loan forgiveness. We...
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Welcome to the Bear Market of 2022
Welcome to the Bear Market of 2022 Napoleon’s definition of military genius. (It works for investors too) “The man who can do the average thing when everyone else around him is losing his mind...
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Black Swans and a Russian Invasion of Ukraine
“A black swan is an unpredictable event that is beyond what is normally expected of a situation and has potentially severe consequences."
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Cash Strategy January 2022
"Discipline Equals Freedom" - Jocko Willink Winter is a great time to review and update our Cash Strategy. The foundation of your financial plan is built on an understanding of cash flows. Without it, other financial advice simply can
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Navient Breaking Ties with The Department of Education
As federal student loan forbearance reaches the end of its extension come Jan 31, 2022, there is a world of unknowns in the industry of servicing the $1.59 trillion of federal student loan debt. More specifically, Navient announced on...
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Fallout from the Chinese Property Market
There’s a famous saying about a hurricane starting from a butterfly flapping its wings on the other side of the world. That “butterfly effect” is certainly happening in terms of the Chinese property market’s...
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Social Security Benefits May Be Cut By 2034
The economic impact of COVID-19 has been felt from coast to coast. And, unfortunately for many pre-retirees, it could potentially impact Social Security benefits as well.A new report indicates that if Congress doesn’t take...
Read MoreSteptember 2021 Updates
This month is life insurance awareness month. Markets are trading at very expensive multiples. Open enrollment is right around the corner. September 2021 Newsletter
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The Fed Can't Keep a Secret
If you have a secret, don’t tell anyone at the Federal Reserve Bank. They may leak the story before you’d like.In early August, multiple regional Federal Reserve Bank presidents hit the speaking tour. They made headlines...
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Distracted America
Feeling a little distracted this past year? Over the last year, many have seen their lives impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The ways in which we work, live, and communicate have drastically changed, to say the least. It’s...
Read MoreWeekly Economic Update
In this week’s recap: Stocks mixed as U.S. copes with economic data and Delta variant. Weekly Economic Update Presented by Kit Lancaster CFP September 9, 2021 THE WEEK ON WALL STREET Stocks were mixed last week amid conflicting...
Read MoreSeptember Market Update
Monthly Economic Update Presented by Kit Lancaster CFP, AWMA, September 2021 U.S. Markets Signs of an improving labor market, strong corporate earnings, and more clarity from the Fed on its tapering plans propelled stocks to multiple...
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July 2021 Market Moves
July 2021 Market Moves What has our attention this week? S&P 500 and Nasdaq are coming off of all-time highs Russell 2000 (Small Cap Index) is down over 6% in the last 30 days Stock market valuations are at highs last seen around the...
Read MoreThe Story of Yahoo
Have you ever wondered what a stock is worth? How stocks grow, evolve and change over time? Check out my short video on the story of Yahoo. How it went from a valuation of $125 billion to less than $5 billion in 16 years. Check out...
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The IRS Extends Additional Tax Deadlines for IRAs, HSAs, and More
Previously, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that the federal income tax filing due date for individuals for the 2020 tax year had been automatically extended from April 15, 2021, to May 17, 2021.1More time for allHowever,...
Read MoreSecond Quarter Updates - Tax Planning
Second Quarter Updates - Tax Planning There is still time to make contributions toward your 2020 IRA and ROTH IRA contribution limits. Contact us if you have questions or would like to make a last minute contribution. How do tax...
Read MoreSecond Quarter Updates - Tax Planning
Second Quarter Updates - Tax Planning There is still time to make contributions toward your 2020 IRA and ROTH IRA contribution limits. Contact us if you have questions or would like to make a last minute contribution. Last year was a...
Read MoreWhat is Private Equity?
What is Private Equity? You may have heard of Private Equity or work at a firm owned b Private Equity and have questions. How private equity has influenced the marketplace is an important story to understand. It can help us set more...
Read MoreMoney Managers Fear a Lost Decade
Money Managers Fear a Lost Decade Looking forward into the 2020s there is a lot fear. JP Morgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, Bridgewater Founder Ray Dalio, and others have expressed concerns on the prospects of a lost decade in US equity...
Read MoreInvesting vs Speculating
Investing vs Speculating The year is off to a strong start in the stock market. The best performing equity stocks ended February 28th where value stocks. With large cap value stocks finishing up 5.1% year to date and small cap value...
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SPACs Take Center Stage
The acronym “SPAC” is showing up more often these days because there is some big money behind the revitalized investment approach.SPAC stands for Special Purpose Acquisition Company, and they are sometimes referred to as...
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The Shadow of Inflation
I’m sure you’ve heard that the House recently passed the Senate another round of stimulus to try and counteract the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The new stimulus package could narrow income eligibility to...
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COVID-19 Relief Bill Signed Into Law
The House of Representatives passed a $1.9 trillion relief package focused on economic relief following the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill was signed into law at the White House on Thursday.1Beyond the much-discussed $1,400 stimulus...
Read MoreMarch Madness
Investing vs Speculating The year is off to a strong start in the stock market. The best performing equity stocks ended February 28th where value stocks. With large cap value stocks finishing up 5.1% year to date and small cap value...
Read MoreAssetMark, Pershing & Fidelity Tax Document Dates
Welcome to the Tax Cente2020 Tax Form Availability DatesAll dates are based on the 2021 calendar year—some dates may vary and are subject to change. Form AssetMark Trust Pershing TD Ameritrade Fidelity RMD Letter January 12 N/A...
Read MoreFirst Quarter Financial Planning Updates
Upcoming Events Ideas, strategies, perspectives and courses of action to inform your financial mindset in 2021. Sign up for our next Webinar on Financial Planning or Environmental and Socially Responsible Investing. Read more First...
Read MoreCommon mistakes with ETFs
Equity Traded Funds or ETFs and for the sake of this article, ETNs and index funds, have become very popular in the last 15 years. (I will refer to Index Funds, ETNs and ETFs as ETFs for the rest of the article) How far you might ask?...
Read MoreHow to avoid life insurance mistakes - military members
Life Insurance Imagine if something happened to you while training, on a deployment or driving across town to get the groceries. What would those that depend on your income do to make ends meet? How would they pay the rent or mortgage?...
Read MoreI need long-term care
Do you need long-term care? Have you had the experience of taking care of a family member as they age? I meet people regularly looking for strategies, solutions and ideas to attack their financial problems, concerns or accomplish...
Read MorePaying for Future Returns
Have you ever made a bet that you were almost certain you would win only to be wrong? If you had to go back and make the same bet again would you do it? How we make decisions and the information we choose to inform our decision making...
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AccessMyPortfolio.com - SEI Private Trust
Keeping track of our financial information, accounts and information with SEI Private Trust can be handled by way of their online login and portal. Information available in your online portal with SEI - Tax Documents, Account Documents...
Read MoreWhat are you going to do now? Post Election Questions
The election is over. How do you feel? How did the experience inform or change the way you made financial decisions this year? Will it affect the way you make decisions next year? A few thoughts, questions and observations before you...
Read MoreWhat is Financial Planning?
Check out this video: https://share.vidyard.com/watch/omg2CdCxY219Pn9Gh4d9dy? There are a lot of different professionals who provide financial services. They have titles like financial advisor, wealth management advisor, financial...
Read MoreAre you fee only?
When I meet with prospective clients they ask me all kinds of great questions. One question I get often is "Are you fee only". Below is my response. Check out this video: https://share.vidyard.com/watch/VQzjJWhJMbDkmxZwrJrn2y?
Read MoreSigning up for Social Security - Online Access
Are you nearing retirement? If you are, take time to setup an account on SSA.gov. Doing so will help you access important information about your social security benefits. This information will help you and your financial planner...
Read MoreAre you Emotionally Ready for Advice?
Check out this video: https://share.vidyard.com/watch/NTDv3c4ac1uW5rL83BCPWe? Seeking out advice, receiving advice and actioning advice are three separate actions.
Read MoreThe high cost of doing it yourself
I was watching a segment of Mad Money on CNBC with Jim Cramer the other day and it reminded me there are a lot of retail investors who do not work with a professional advisor. While you may not need an advisor to do everything for you,...
Read MoreWHAT IS YOUR MOST VALUABLE ASSET?
How would you feel if that asset lost value or became worthless tomorrow? Would it change your life style? Would it change the lives of your kids, parents and other family members? How would it impact your financial goals and your...
Read MoreTHE POTENTIAL HIGH COST OF ROBO ADVISORS
I recently took the plunge and checked out several so called “Robo Advisor” services. I also reached out to a banking institution that primarily provides banking, financial and insurance services to military veterans. I...
Read MoreYOUR SAVINGS STRATEGY HAS A PROBLEM
You ever have that feeling you could be doing something better? You pay all your bills on time, but you have a lot of bills. Do you find a large portion of your paycheck is already earmarked for: student loans, car payment, your living...
Read MoreWHAT IS THE BEST INVESTMENT RIGHT NOW?
This is a common question I get from prospective clients in regards to investment selection. We might be at a social event, having an initial consultation or meeting after one of my educational events. They are interested in the...
Read MoreSHOULD YOU LIQUIDATE RETIREMENT ASSETS FOR A HOME PURCHASE?
As the spring buying season gets underway I frequently receive the following question from a first time home buyer or two. I get asked if IRA assets can be used to make a down payment for a home purchase. The short answer is yes, for...
Read MoreCOULD YOUR FAMILY RECOVER FROM A LOSS
The first time I observed such a loss was in 2010. I was deployed to Iraq serving as an Operations Officer for a HIMARS Battalion (i.e. rocket artillery). We had soldiers all over the country ready to meet the indirect fire support...
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