Blog
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.
Big Picture for 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
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Inflation and Rising Interest Rates
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...
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Inflation Update
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...
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Bryan's Picks July 2022
China's U.S. debt, Russia's default on insurance payments, the ECB, and the Fed.
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Medicare and Skilled Nursing Care
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...
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Volatility is Officially Here
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...
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Estate Taxes May Be Amended Soon
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...
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Why Estate Planning Is Important Today
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...
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Conflicting Inflation Data - What is it Really Saying?
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...
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Are Your Taxes Going to Change?
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...
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Happy Equinox!
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...
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Weekly Market Insights: Stocks Lackluster Despite Positive Outlook
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 &...
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The Best, the Brightest, and Inflation
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....
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Patriot Day 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...
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The September Effect
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...
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Bryan's Picks Sept 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...
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A Dividend of Confidence
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...
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401(k) Millionaires
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...
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Distracted America
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...
Read MoreFederal Reserve Adding Liquidity
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.
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Let's Talk About Extended Care
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...
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September Is National Life Insurance Awareness Month
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...
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2021 Limits for IRAs, 401(k)s and More
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...
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Window Closing on 4% Interest Rate on Permanent Life Insurance
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
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The Cost Of A Gold Medal
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...
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Chinese Stocks Under Pressure
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...
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A 6.1% Bump in Social Security?
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...
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Economic Lessons from Used-Car Inflation
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...
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Oil Prices Hit Six-Year High
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...
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The Quiet Fall in Bond Yields
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,...
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Are You Ready for the Second Act of the S.E.C.U.R.E. Act?
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...
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Thinking About Summer Travel Plans
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...
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A COLA with Your Social Security?
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...
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Upbeat Feelings Boost Market
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...
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What if you missed the five best days?
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...
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Investor Sentiment Is Shifting
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...
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Money Supply Suspense
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...
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Buffett and Powell Talk Inflation
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...
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Transitory Hyper-Inflation?
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...
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2021 Retirement Confidence Survey
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...
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IRA Rollovers for Terminated Employees
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...
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“Green Shoots” in the Economy
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...
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Paying for the Infrastructure Bill
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...
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The Whims of Wall Street
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...
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Think you don’t need disability coverage?
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...
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Spotlight Shifts to Bonds
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...
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Charts of Interest - February 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...
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Migration to Lower Income Tax States
Why People are Fleeing High-Tax States Like California
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Understanding Market Structure
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...
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Consumer Price Index vs Everyday Living Expenses
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...
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Charts of Interest - December
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...
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Wave of IPOs Hit Stock Market
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...
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Behind CBO’s 100 Trillion in Projected Deficits over 30 Years
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...
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US Dollar Review
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...
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Charts of Interest - November
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,...
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Should You Delay Taking Social Security Until Age 70?
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...
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Charts of Interest
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...
Read MoreRecord Low Interest Rates – Life Insurance, Investments & Intra-Family Loans
“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...
Read MoreThe Market Fell Fast
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...
Read MoreBear Markets and Subsequent Bull Runs
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....
Read MoreAnnual Returns and Intra-Year Declines
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,...
Read MorePrepare for Investing Ups and Downs
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...
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Top New Digital Tools for Small Businesses
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...
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Measuring Your Portfolio's Volatility
“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.
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Is the Frog Aware?
Boiling Frog Syndrome refers to a widespread cautionary tale describing a frog slowly being boiled alive. Don't be the frog.
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We Are Living in Interesting Times
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...
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Substantial Doses of Coffee Needed
Dynamic goals-based planning along with active investment management helps to make sure you are not left behind on a prickly perch.
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Major Financial Events Not Talked About in the News
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...
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Financial & Political Models Have Changed Forever
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...
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5 Common Myths About Disability Insurance
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...
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The Latest Margin Debt
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...
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Dow and S&P 500 Remain in Sideways Pattern After One Year
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...
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Parents are Bankrupting Themselves to Look Adequate (Bloomberg Article)
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...
Read MoreWhy Active Financial and Investment Planning Reviews are Critical
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...
Read MoreCurrent Market Conditions
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...
Read MoreMarket Watch: Sideways Market?
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...
Read MoreSocial Security: The $64,000 Question
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...
Read MoreMarket & Banking Review in Volatile Markets
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...
Read MorePortfolio Management and Asset Allocation
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...
Read MoreDo You Know Your Portfolio's Risk Factor? Please Keep Both Eyes Open!
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...
Read MoreReview Your Investment Allocation Model Today
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...
Read MoreReview Your Investment Allocation Model Today
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...
Read MoreAdding Life to Your Investment Pie
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.
Read MoreReview Your Investment Allocation Model Today
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.
Read MoreEstate Taxes: An Historical Perspective
Federal estate taxes have been a source of funding for the federal government almost since the U.S. was founded.
Read MoreProtecting Your Business from the Loss of a Key Person
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...
Read MoreInvestment Challenges of the Affluent Investor
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...
Read MoreGlobal vs. International: What’s The Difference?
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...
Read MoreRebalancing Your Portfolio
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...
Read MoreSucceeding at Business Succession
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...
Read MoreEstimating Your Estate Taxes
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...
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