CFP® stands for Certified Financial Planner. The CFP® designation is perhaps the most well-known credential in the financial planning and financial advisory space. Let’s take a look behind the CFP® designation to help you understand what is involved in earning and maintaining this important designation.  What is a CFP®?  A CFP® is someone who has […]

Hiring a financial advisor is an important decision. Whether this is your first relationship with a financial advisor, or you are replacing an advisor who is no longer right for your needs, it's important to do all you can to ensure that you are hiring the best financial advisor for your situation. Asking the right […]

Inflation is frequently mentioned in the news and particularly by the financial press. Lately we’ve heard about inflation connected with many products and services as we emerge from the pandemic. Inflation is often linked with Federal Reserve policy as well.  Inflation is a key variable to consider in your financial planning, especially for those nearing […]

Rolling over a 401(k) account when you leave an employer can be a smart move with these important retirement assets. IRA accounts are also an important tool in your retirement savings efforts. From time to time it might make sense to roll an IRA account from one custodian to a new one.  Let’s look at […]

Retirement is often looked at as a milestone in our lives, and it is. While your investments likely will change in retirement, we are finding that this change is often a bit more gradual than we might have seen in the past for retirees. How you invest once you reach retirement will depend upon a […]

We are in the midst of the greatest intergenerational transfer of wealth in history. Financial services research firm Cerulli Associates estimates that nearly 45 million U.S. households will transfer over $68 trillion in wealth over the next 25 years. If you are the recipient of an inheritance, how should you adjust your financial plan? Our […]

We read a lot about the importance of saving and investing for our retirement throughout our working careers. This is critical and we encourage our clients to save as much as possible and advise them on how to invest for retirement.  What doesn’t always receive as much emphasis is the importance of pre-retirement planning, specifically […]

If you recently received a letter offering you a lump sum distribution or an annuity from a former pension plan, you may be trying to weigh your best options. Your former employer can inform you of the choices available to you, but they are not able to offer guidance about what choice will be best […]

For investors, there are two key metrics, risk and return. Return is the reward for investing. Investment returns are what fuel the attainment of financial goals such as retirement and funding your children’s education. Managing your portfolio’s investment risks is a key factor in achieving the types of long-term returns you are seeking.  What is […]

Everyone wants to save money on their taxes, but we firmly believe that tax considerations should not drive your investment decisions. That said, we work with our clients to invest as tax-efficiently as possible within the confines of their investment strategy. Here are some thoughts on ways to invest tax-efficiently.  Taxes and investing  There are […]