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What’s on our mind? You can read about it in our blog. Whether it’s industry and market news, ideas for asset protection and wealth management, or emerging trends, you can read about it here. So keep checking in. We’re glad to have you reading along.

Wednesday, May 10, 2023

 In our September 14, 2021 and October 05, 2021 blogs we demonstrated the foreshadowing of the severity of inflation because of the massive addition to the money supply. In our August 11, 2022 blog we showed how energy (oil and...

Tuesday, January 10, 2023

The adage “hope is not a strategy” applies today more then ever. We all felt last year's pain in many ways. We see continued challenges and changes for 2023 and there are great ways to prosper. That said, I feel we have several more

Monday, December 19, 2022

Fed Chair Jay Powell’s plan is to keep raising interest rates until he reaches what’s called the terminal rate.What’s the terminal rate? No one knows the exact number, but the Fed has adopted the attitude of...

Thursday, August 11, 2022

https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/hist/LeafHandler.ashx?n=PET&s=MTTIMUS1&f=MBig news today: CPI Consumer Price Index “inflation” is 8.5% not 9% +.   I am preaching to the choir that this round 1980s style of inflation...

Thursday, July 28, 2022

       China's U.S. debt, Russia's default on insurance payments, the ECB, and the Fed.

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Wednesday, June 22, 2022

In your retirement strategy, you’ve likely put a good deal of thought into putting away enough money to enjoy your life. It’s important to remember that that 69% of Americans turning 65 are going to require some sort of...

Tuesday, June 14, 2022

Inflation, quickly rising 10 year US Treasuries, and bankers concerned about the degree of a financial hurricane, all lead to higher volatility.  There is no quick fix for this.  Governments around the world have been...

Monday, May 9, 2022

Thursday, March 24, 2022

Wednesday, March 16, 2022

Thursday, November 4, 2021

To help raise revenue to pay for President Biden’s Build Back Better Plan, Congress is considering a number of tax law changes, including adjusting estate taxes.One of the proposals would reduce the estate tax exemption to...

Monday, October 11, 2021

Plan for tomorrow, today.That seems like sensible advice, doesn't it? Yet a surprising number of people leave no estate plan in place for their survivors. It makes a certain amount of sense. Nobody likes talking about death. But this...

Tuesday, October 5, 2021

Investing is never that easy. This is the most globally complex and demanding financial environment seen in our lifetimes. We have to take the data as it happens and put it into a broader context. It’s not good enough just to...

Thursday, September 23, 2021

Most likely, you’ve heard what’s brewing in Washington, D.C., called by one of these names.The Build Back Better Act. Or the $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation bill. Or the Jobs and Economic Recovery Plan for Working...

Tuesday, September 21, 2021

The Autumnal Equinox approaching on September 22 is a day with 12 hours of sunlight and 12 hours of darkness. This balance of day and night serves as a reminder of the change of seasons, and heralds the coming of fall colors and...

Monday, September 20, 2021

Stocks weakened ahead of this week’s Federal Reserve meeting and amid persistent concerns about the Delta variant’s impact on the economy.The Dow Jones Industrial Average was flat (-0.07%), while the Standard &...

Tuesday, September 14, 2021

If you are feeling a bit confused about the direction of inflation, you’re in good company. Some of the best and brightest economists in the country are having a tough time getting their arms around the current inflation trends....

Thursday, September 9, 2021

On this 20th anniversary of the tragedies of September 11th, 2001, many of us will be remembering the day with prayers, observance, and acts of service.This day is designated Patriot Day. It’s come to mean joining together to...

Wednesday, September 8, 2021

The stock market notched its 7th straight month of gains in August, and the Standard & Poor's 500 index has set 53 new highs so far in 2021.1 During August, stocks rallied as investors looked past the increased number of COVID-19...

Tuesday, September 7, 2021

Millions of Americans will lose unemployment benefits this weekend PUBLISHED TUE, AUG 31 20218:03 AM EDTUPDATED TUE, AUG 31 20219:38 AM EDT https://www.cnbc...

Tuesday, August 31, 2021

The most recent stats on corporate dividends suggest that global companies are bullish on the world’s economic recovery.Dividends paid to investors are on track to hit $1.4 trillion this year and are expected to stretch even...

Thursday, August 26, 2021

Your workplace retirement account can play a critical role in your overall retirement strategy. However, some have gone further with the accounts than others, especially recently. CNBC reported on findings that place 401(k) accounts...

Monday, August 23, 2021

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 difficult to predict what other aspects of life...

Wednesday, August 18, 2021

See changes Federal Reserve made in accounting for money supply M1 and M2 to M1SL and M2SL. Going forward will be interesting charting and FED watch on economic outlook.

Tuesday, August 17, 2021

In your retirement strategy, you’ve likely put a good deal of thought into putting away enough money to enjoy your life, once you’ve put the daily grind in the rearview mirror. Like many, you’ve probably planned for...

Thursday, August 12, 2021

It’s time for your life insurance check-up. September is National Life Insurance Awareness Month, so it’s a great time to review your coverage.1 If you don’t have any life insurance, you’re not alone. Life...

Tuesday, August 10, 2021

On October 26, 2020, the Treasury Department released the 2021 adjusted figures for retirement account savings. Although these adjustments won’t bring any major changes, there are some minor elements to note. 401(k)sThe salary...

Monday, August 9, 2021

2021 is the final year to lock in the 4% guaranteed interest rate used to determine cash values for permanent life insurance policies. Don't miss this opportunity to

Friday, August 6, 2021

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics wrap up with closing ceremonies on August 8, and it’s been an Olympic games like no other. We’ve watched the world’s finest athletes go for the gold. Which leads many to wonder: what exactly...

Thursday, August 5, 2021

With overseas investments, we remind people that, “international markets carry additional risks, which include differences in financial reporting standards, currency exchange rates, political risk, foreign taxes and regulations...

Tuesday, August 3, 2021

The news keeps getting better for Social Security recipients.It's now projected that benefits will increase 6.1% in 2022, up from the 4.7% forecast just two months ago. That would be the most significant increase since 1983.1...

Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Inflation is defined as the general upward price movement of goods and services in an economy. The key word is “general.” Inflation tends to be uneven and affects the price of some items more than others. If you’ve...

Friday, July 16, 2021

On July 6, oil prices reached a six-year high of $76.98 a barrel. This benchmark came as the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies failed to reach an agreement regarding an increase in production.1 This...

Thursday, July 15, 2021

With all the attention given to inflation, stock prices, and job reports, it’s been easy to overlook the remarkable move in the bond market during the past few months.The yield on the 10-year treasury closed at 1.37% on Friday,...

Tuesday, July 6, 2021

Recently, you may have seen headlines regarding the Securing a Strong Retirement Act, also referred to as the second version of the SECURE Act, or SECURE Act 2.0. As the bill moves from the House of Representatives to the Senate, many...

Thursday, July 1, 2021

Summertime rouses our desire to hit the road (or the airport) and travel. Here are a few things you’ll want to consider before you take off. Employment Issues for Airlines: Airlines have canceled hundreds of flights due to...

Wednesday, June 9, 2021

If there is a "silver lining" to all the inflation talk, it may be that Social Security benefits are expected to see a larger-than-normal increase in 2022.Preliminary estimates call for a 4.7% cost-of-living increase (COLA) in Social...

Thursday, June 3, 2021

Optimism over the economic reopening and renewed enthusiasm for technology and other high-growth companies powered the stock market higher last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.94%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...

Monday, May 31, 2021

Hindsight is 20/20. It’s only human to imagine what it might have been like to turn left instead of right on some fateful day. However, that sort of daydreaming is unhelpful when investing, especially when it leads you to try...

Friday, May 28, 2021

A recent survey shows that 63% of investors are more interested in protecting their financial assets and planning for uncertainty in the future than anything else.1 There are many reasons for this change, but here are a few of the...

Monday, May 24, 2021

Monument of truth for money supply (M1,M2, & M4) is coming soon. These numbers from the Federal Reserve were monthly since 1999 but starting April have been under wraps. No mattered what the numbers are, expect volatility in the...

Tuesday, May 18, 2021

What does it mean when two of the most powerful voices in American financial life seem to be saying two different things?In one corner, we have the “Oracle of Omaha,” investor Warren Buffett. As one of the nation’s...

Wednesday, May 12, 2021

We are continuing to watch increasing signs of coming higher inflation. There is a real price squeeze ("transitory" inflation according to Federal Reserve Chair Jay Powell) affecting businesses, consumers, investors, and especially the...

Monday, May 10, 2021

Will your retirement dreams match your reality?That's perhaps the most critical question to ask people who are currently retired. Was your retirement what you expected, or was it something else?For more than 30 years, the Employee...

Monday, May 3, 2021

Have you been let go at work? What happens to the money you have saved in your employee retirement plan?If you have been terminated by your employer, you have 4 choices when it comes to your retirement plan money:Cash it out (and lose...

Monday, April 26, 2021

Investors looking for "green shoots" to confirm that the economy is on the mend have seen plenty of examples in recent weeks. Retail sales rose 9.8% in March, the largest monthly gain since May 2020. It's important to remember that...

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

President Joe Biden introduced the much-anticipated American Jobs Plan, which outlines an approach to spend roughly $2.2 trillion on the nation's infrastructure and other projects. As part of the legislative process, the Biden...

Wednesday, April 14, 2021

It can be exhausting trying to keep up with the whims of Wall Street.Lately, the financial markets have been fixated on federal taxes and what may be proposed on Capitol Hill in the weeks and months ahead.Wall Street’s focus on...

Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Think you don’t need disability coverage? Think again. We draft a will. Create an estate strategy. And purchase life insurance. But few of us consider disability insurance – the coverage that can help us maintain our...

Thursday, March 4, 2021

One time-tested principle of investing is, "when bond yields move higher, bond prices tend to move lower." Investors are doing a "double take" on the 10-year Treasury yield, which recently topped 1.5% — its highest level in about...

Tuesday, February 9, 2021

Market Review This market has been exceptional and has hit many new records, see below about market history and remember the famous quote about “Irrational Exuberance” regarding the dot-com bubble of the 1990s from past...

Tuesday, February 2, 2021

Why People are Fleeing High-Tax States Like California

Monday, January 11, 2021

I am getting calls daily from new small investors (flash back to the year 1999 through the first quarter of 2000) who want to invest their hard earned money because they feel they are missing this bull market. Remember the...

Monday, December 14, 2020

In my opinion, our daily living challenges are food, shelter and medical care costs which account for 65.70 of CPI, which is quickly escalating. Just food alone has seen about a 27% jump. See below charts. The Consumer Price Index...

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

News Flash! Even before the new stimulus bill has been passed, check out M1 money supply in November, 2020. The last time a jump like this was in March. This reminds me of a song from Dire Straits - Money for Nothing...and, yes, this...

Thursday, December 3, 2020

There have been 404 IPOs on the US stock market this year, as of November 27, 2020. That is +82.0% more than the same time in 2019, which had 222 IPOs by this date. Are “They” (Venture capitalist and Hedge Funds) getting...

Tuesday, December 1, 2020

Manhattan Institute has published an easy to understand review of the long-term fiscal outlook based on the CBO's latest (September) 30 year projection. This explains why even under a 'rosy scenario'—no new wars, no new...

Saturday, November 28, 2020

US DOLLAR REVIEW Like the boiling frog fable, US dollar is slowly being burned alive. Are investors going to continue to invest in a devaluing currency or look to diversify into investments with more stability? “Mega” Cycle...

Tuesday, November 10, 2020

These indicators aren't useful as short-term signals of market direction. Periods of over- and under-valuation can last for many years. But they can play a role in framing longer-term expectations of investment returns. At present,...

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

Many people feel encouraged by the Social Security office to take benefits at age 62. If you are working and/or in good healthyou could benefit in the long term by delaying taking Social Security. If you start receiving benefits at...

Thursday, October 15, 2020

We are not predicting the future just showing you the direction. CORE ASSET CLASSES - (Finding Value with Time Line Expectations) CASH EQUIVALENTS Equities Bonds Real Estate Gold Precious Metal & Commodities Alternative investments...

Monday, August 31, 2020

“Freeze” Your Estate and Shift Wealth Using a Note Sale to an Intentionally Defective Grantor Trust At this time, unless Congress acts, the current lifetime estate tax exemption amount of $11,580,000 is set to sunset in...

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

YES, it did. We are here to help you review your financial options. Please go to Schedule Appointment or call Julie Elliott at 916-833-6100 or 800-925-2050 to schedule a time. You can also find a link to schedule an appointment at the...

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

As we’ve already seen, the COVID-19 virus has created uncertainty around the globe and within financial markets. Given the potential spread of the virus over the coming weeks, we’re anticipating additional market impacts....

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

As the situation with coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to develop, our entire team is ready and standing by to support you. Is your risk tolerance aligned with your portfolio's risk exposure? Do you have a diversified mix of stocks,...

Thursday, June 21, 2018

Is your risk tolerance aligned with your portfolio's risk exposure? Do you have a diversified mix of stocks, bonds, and cash in your portfolio to manage your risk? Is your portfolio actively managed to potentially reduce your exposure...

Friday, April 28, 2017

Technology has not just shrunk the tools we use, but it has allowed small businesses the power to operate like a big business. These tools can help small businesses get better organized, efficiently manage their finances, or support...

Thursday, April 13, 2017

“The investor's chief problem - and even his worst enemy - is likely to be himself.”-- Benjamin Graham. Few investors know the true key to successful investing. Here’s a pop quiz to see if you do.

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Boiling Frog Syndrome refers to a widespread cautionary tale describing a frog slowly being boiled alive. Don't be the frog.

Thursday, January 5, 2017

These are definitely interesting times. My financial services career started in 1987, and I have seen a lot of changes and ideas/concepts come and go. I have watched events and people defy logic for a period of time only to witness...

Thursday, December 15, 2016

Dynamic goals-based planning along with active investment management helps to make sure you are not left behind on a prickly perch.

Monday, August 29, 2016

You should know - Earnings for the last 12 months came in around $86.66 per share, meaning that the market is being valued at a P/E ratio of 25.1. For perspective, the historical average P/E ratio is 15.6. Reported earnings for the S&P...

Monday, June 27, 2016

After decades of stable financial models came to a halt in 2008, with global central banks’ untested multiple quantitative easing projects (I know, tongue twister!) and world political models (starting with WWII and leading up to...

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

5 Common Myths About Disability Insurance Most people understand the importance and necessity of life insurance to protect their loved ones in case of their premature death, yet most people also fail to protect their most valuable...

Friday, June 3, 2016

Asset Protection 101: Liquidity squeeze. When the tide goes out how much ripetide can your assets handle? Margin debt grew at a rate comparable to the market from 1995 to late summer of 2000 before soaring into amazing levels. After...

Monday, May 23, 2016

DOW AND S&P 500 REMAIN IN SIDEWAYS PATTERN AFTER PASSING ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF MAY 2015 TOP Price is still in a declining trend despite Friday’s rally. I believe the head and shoulders formation we have been watching on the SPY...

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Great Bloomberg article that delves into the reasons why between a third and half of Americans are unprepared financially for common emergencies and are barely getting by, living paycheck to paycheck. Interesting insights comparing our...

Friday, April 22, 2016

You have heard me say throughout my blogs. It’s not about your return on principal but return of your principal and interest. Example question: If I can buy a gallon of milk today will my investments allow me to buy the same...

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Here is the bottom line on current market conditions. I continue to maintain that we are in a short term bounce top within a medium term sideways market but are leaning into a long term slower bear market scenario. And once the current...

Thursday, March 10, 2016

HOW ABOUT A SIDEWAYS MARKET? The market is giving off conflicting messages. Technical indicators are showing improvement. Market leadership, however, shows a generally defensive posture. This leads me to suspect that the current market...

Friday, February 26, 2016

One of the most common questions people ask about Social Security is when they should start taking benefits. This is the $64,000 question. Making the right decision for you can have a meaningful impact on your financial income in...

Friday, February 5, 2016

We are bombarded with information from sources such as the Federal Reserve, television analysts, brokerage firm analysts, economists’ projections, newspapers, junk mail, neighbors, war reporters, etc. Making investment decisions...

Friday, January 8, 2016

Erosion Continues, DO YOU have RISK controls in place? Do you know your RISK Numbers? Review our Blog dated August 20th 2015 and understand trends are important to understand. Russell 2000 & NYSE Composite are both down over 10% in...

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Anticipating & Projecting Portfolio Returns in a low growth environment. We do encourage everyone to monitor their investment allocations, goals, and time horizons. We do not encourage market timing. Past results do not predict future...

Monday, November 16, 2015

Review Your Investment Allocation Model Today November 14th 2015 Are You Being Paid for the Risk, Stay Alert Right Now! Anticipating & Projecting Portfolio Returns in a low growth environment. We do encourage everyone to monitor their...

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Stay Alert Right Now! 09/23/2015 We do encourage everyone to monitor their investment allocations, goals, and time horizons. We do not encourage market timing. Past results do not predict future returns. Charts are for illustrative...

Thursday, September 10, 2015

Consider Life Insurance as a piece of your investment portfolio... Because Whole Life insurance is a significant asset, it makes sense to view it as its own asset class.

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Stay alert! We do not encourage market timing. Past results do not predict future returns. We do encourage everyone to monitor their investment allocations, goals, and time horizons.

Friday, August 14, 2015

Federal estate taxes have been a source of funding for the federal government almost since the U.S. was founded.

Friday, June 19, 2015

Charles de Gaulle once remarked, “The graveyards are full of indispensable men.”¹ While we know that life goes on regardless of the loss of any “indispensable” person, for a small business, the loss of a key person is not only a human...

Friday, June 19, 2015

High-net-worth investors face investment challenges that some would consider unique to their financial status. The fundamental tenants of investing apply equally to them as with any other investor, but the affluent investor needs to be...

Friday, June 19, 2015

With international stock markets comprising about two-thirds of the world’s capitalization, a broad range of investment opportunities exist outside the borders of the U.S.¹ For investors who are looking to diversify their mutual fund...

Friday, June 19, 2015

Tip: Rebalancing Schedule. When to rebalance? There is no set rule. Some rebalance when their portfolio’s allocation is off by a specific percentage — say 5%. Others may be comfortable setting the target higher or lower.Everyone loves...

Friday, June 19, 2015

Inc. magazine reported that 66% of small-business owners have no formal succession plan.¹ While the number may shock you, it is not surprising that many small business owners are consumed by the myriad responsibilities of running their...

Friday, June 19, 2015

Fast Fact: Estate Tax Changes. In 2010, the estate tax expired. It was reinstated by Congress as part of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 2010, with a maximum estate tax rate of 35% and a unified credit that effectively exempts the first $5...