It all seems very bizarre. I was born in 1973, so three ubiquitous kid fears were subconsciously ingrained into my adolescent and adult subconscious. One is an irrational feeling of alarm at the sight of nuclear power plant cooling towers (Three Mile Island accident in 1979). Another is the omnipresent threat that the world will be spontaneously obliterated by global …
When it comes to estate planning, naming beneficiaries on your investment accounts is a powerful tool because it helps assets pass directly to your heirs, avoiding probate. But how you name beneficiaries can vary depending on whether the account is a retirement account or a non-qualified (non-retirement) account. For retirement accounts such as IRAs and 401ks, beneficiary designation is essential. These …
“That’s some bad hat, Harry” – Chief Martin Brody, Jaws, 1975 It is the golden anniversary for the summer blockbuster. The movie that began the wave of packing theaters during the summer was Jaws, which is still the seventh highest grossing movie of all time on an inflation adjusted basis. The genius of the film that captivated audiences during the …
“The water understands Civilization well; It wets my foot, but prettily, It chills my life, but wittily, It is not disconcerted It is not broken-hearted: Well used, it decketh joy, Adorneth, doubleth joy:” – Water | Ralph Waldo Emerson (1867) It’s been an outcome that has been vexing many market analysts and investment pundits for much of the spring. The …
Inheriting assets whether money, real estate, or investments can feel both like a blessing and a burden. It’s an opportunity to build wealth, but it also comes with emotional, financial, and legal responsibilities. Here’s some quick thoughts to help you manage inherited assets wisely. First, I recommend that you pause before taking action. Resist the urge to make immediate financial decisions. …
One of the most frequent questions that I receive is regarding how much money is needed to retire. There is no easy answer to that question due to many variables that effect retirement outcomes. Things such as your lifestyle, location, health, and spending habits all go towards determining how much money you need. Factors such as inflation and market returns also …
Although summer does not officially begin until June 20, my mental view of seasons is grouped by the months. Summer: June, July, August; Fall: September, October, November; Winter: December, January, February; Spring: March, April, May. So with summer already getting underway in this writer’s mind, it’s a good time to look ahead to the key themes to watch across the …
When planning for the future, gifting assets is a strategy some people use to reduce their taxable estate. By transferring wealth during your lifetime, you can lower the value of your estate, potentially decreasing the taxes your heirs will have to pay upon your death. However, while gifting may seem like a simple solution, there are tax implications to consider, …
“The lights begin to twinkle from the rocks: The long day wanes: the slow moon climbs: the deep Moans round with many voices. Come, my friends, ‘Tis not too late to seek a newer world” –Ulysses, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, 1842 For more than a decade, the U.S. stock market has resoundingly dominated its global developed international and emerging/frontier counterparts. But …
Home equity loans can feel like a financial lifeline since they offer large sums of cash at relatively low interest rates. But behind the appeal is a very real series of risks that every homeowner should understand before tapping into their home’s value. First, your home is on the line. This is the biggest risk because your house actually secures the …
