The financial services industry has a bad habit of using terms that can seem vague and confusing to clients. There is probably no place where this confusion is greater than how an advisor is compensated. Additionally, the term fiduciary is tossed around by the media quite a bit. However many investors don’t fully understand what […]
Retirement marks a significant transition in life, offering the promise of relaxation, exploration, and pursuing passions long put on hold. However, achieving the retirement of your dreams requires careful financial planning. One of the critical steps in this journey is estimating the amount of money needed to generate sufficient income during retirement while also optimizing […]
A question we are often asked is whether or not you can claim Social Security while working. The answer to this question is yes you can. However, it’s not that simple. The question to ask is should you claim Social Security while working? In answering this question it's important to understand the rules regarding earned […]
A pleasantly surprising rally, skillfully led by a select group of tech giants known as the 'Magnificent 7,' has prompted us to moderate our overweight position in the tech sector. These companies benefited greatly from the AI boom, driving their outperformance. However, we anticipate a slowdown in risk assets during Q3, with returns diversifying to […]
This is a question we are asked frequently by clients. How much life insurance is enough will vary greatly depending upon your situation. We will discuss some of the factors that you should consider in making this decision. What Financial Obligations Do You Need to Cover? The first thing to keep in mind is that […]
The period leading up to your retirement is a critical time to ensure that you have your financial plan in place as you enter retirement. Financial planning doesn’t stop once you retire, things change and your need to stay on top of things and adjust as needed. This is the focus of much of our […]
It’s important to understand the tax implications of investment decisions because taxes can have a significant impact on your investment returns. Here are some real-life examples we’ve seen of tax investment mistakes. Misuse of IRAs and Roth IRAs There are several common tax mistakes associated with IRAs and Roth IRAs, including: Early withdrawal penalties: If […]
The terms financial advisor and broker may seem interchangeable to some investors. Both financial advisors and brokers are financial professionals. The main differences lie in the types of services offered and in the way they are compensated by their clients. What is a Broker? A broker is an individual or firm that acts as an […]
Changing jobs is a time of transition with a lot to do. Getting up-to-speed at your new employer is important and a top priority. When leaving a company, it’s crucial not to forget about your old 401(k) account. What to do with this retirement money is a critical decision to make during this period of […]
ETFs and mutual funds are the two main types of managed accounts for investors. The IRS tax treatment of ETFs and mutual funds is the same, however, the structure of ETFs can make them a more tax-efficient option for taxable accounts. Let’s take a look at why ETFs are generally more tax-efficient than mutual funds. […]
Charitable giving is a great thing to do regardless of whether or not you are able to realize a tax benefit. However, if you can help others and realize a tax benefit this is a good thing and might even allow you to give a little bit more. Here are some things to know in […]
