The closing weeks of 2019 gave us plenty to celebrate and plan for as investors. In contrast to 2018, where it was nearly impossible to find growth in stocks, bonds, or any asset for that matter, 2019 provided plenty of opportunity for returns. There was volatility in the mix, however, as trade talks, domestic politics, and […]
We are at the start of a new decade. This means lists and reviews of the past year and ten years. Along with these retrospectives, we are treated to a healthy dose of predictions for what is to come (too often by financial gurus, unfortunately). This is click bait. An invitation to bog ourselves down in […]
The cost of trading changes at Charles Schwab and what it means for you and your financial advisor’s business. The Shifting Ground Under Our Feet The cost of trading has hit its lower limit: $0. In the last several weeks, after Charles Schwab announced that stock trades would be free, many major custodians and banks […]
All you can take with you is that which you’ve given away The journey from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day is a sprint this year. A dash from expressing gratitude over turkey in November, to giving generously in December, to new beginnings in January. I don’t know of another film that does as good of […]
Do you know someone who has floundered when they walked away from work? Think of that person you know whose identity was tied up in the ‘uniform’ that they wore for so many years. A suit and tie or the company colors. They identified closely with their role on a team or their status among […]
Building Retirement Income It is a paralyzing feeling to stare at a lump sum payout of cash and think about investing it. If you’re like me, at some point you have received a bonus or a windfall in some form or size and thought, “I should invest this in something that will grow more than […]
An object in motion tends to stay in motion… The recent news flow in both politics and the markets brings to mind Newton’s first law of motion. Trends can continue in the economy long past the time when we think they might fade. Here are three Q4 trends affecting investors as we head into the fourth […]
Have you ever seen the word ‘Emeritus’ after the name of a professional? Attorney, Emeritus. Shareholder, Emeritus. Professor, Emeritus. It means that this person has retired but maintains an honorary role based on their lifetime of accomplishments. One title you will rarely see: Financial Advisor, Emeritus. Why is that? Financial advisors are facing a retirement […]
You may have heard that Labor Day is the new New Year’s Day? It’s true. The schedule is packed, and the pace of life picks up in a way that would make January envious. For us, it is no different. We have a brisk schedule of meetings, conferences, and professional presentations that keep us informed […]
We all have hobbies that are self-taught. Maybe for you it is cooking, or gardening, or carpentry. They are the skills we picked up by following our passions, maybe with some mentorship, but rarely with formal education. For me, guitar and golf are my self-taught hobbies, learned the hard way since my teenage years. Most […]