Why a Large Tax Refund is Not Always a Good Thing
When I was a young adult, like many others, I enjoyed the excitement of tax time and the amount of money I would get back. I would dream of what fun and exciting things I might do with this “extra money.” Then, when starting my career in financial services, I learned the real truth behind […]
The Psychology of Retirement: Navigating the Emotional Aspects of Life’s Next Chapter
Disney Pixar’s 2015 film, Inside Out, tells the story of the emotional conflicts of Riley, an eleven year old girl. Her dad gets a new job and moves the family from the upper Midwest to San Francisco, a move that upsets her entire world. Five emotions, Joy, Sadness, Fear, Disgust, and Anger all make their […]
Compound Growth: Build Your Wealth Exponentially
One common misconception many of us have when it comes to investing is that it is too late to start. Whether you’re thinking about retirement, buying a new home, or even assisting your kids through college, it is never too late to start. One of the main reasons it is never too late to start […]
A Look at the Market – February 2024 Update
February proved to be another good month for the stock market as the S&P 500 stock index rallied 4% driven by investor excitement on Generative Artificial Intelligence and optimism on the overall economy. The strong market rally was across all sectors from Consumer Discretionary and Energy to Industrials and Technology. This market rally was in […]
New Year, New Budget: How to Refresh Your Financial Plan
The Budgeting Process Summary: The beginning of the New Year is the perfect time to budget for this upcoming year. To start planning your budget, begin by calculating the after-tax income of your yearly salary. After-tax income is calculated by subtracting the amount you receive after automatic deductions for a 401(K), health insurance, and life […]
Retirement Income Strategies: Maintain Your Lifestyle Without Compromising Financial Security
Retirement is a significant milestone for many, but it can be a scary adjustment to go from a steady income to living off of your retirement assets. Now that you will no longer be able to rely on your working income, it is very important to strategically plan your retirement. In this article, we are […]
Love & Money: Navigating Financial Conversations With Your Partner
Perhaps you saw the recent article that draws a connection between merged finances and marital bliss. Researchers at Indiana University’s Kelly School of Business compared newly married couples who kept their finances separate with couples who merged their finances. They followed these couples for two years and concluded that those who merged their finances were […]
A Look at the Market – January 2024 Update
Mixed Sector Returns in a Strong Labor Economy The stock market was up overall in January but there were material discrepancies in performance returns from the different market sectors. The Russell 3000 index that covers the 3,000 largest publicly traded companies had a monthly performance of 1.1%. However, the market sector performances had investment returns […]
Coping with Market Volatility: Building a Resilient Investment Strategy
There is an ancient story of a man who has three servants. He calls them all to him one day and announces he is going on a long trip and wants them to watch over some of his money while he is gone. To one servant he gave five coins, to another two coins, and […]
Estate Planning Essentials: Crafting the Important Documents
Perhaps your mom had a passion for cleanliness and organization as my mom did. “You created this mess, you need to clean it up” was a refrain I often heard. I’ve tried to carry this principle through my adult life. I don’t want to leave a mess for my wife, children, or co-worker to clean […]
