Midlife Money Errors

Midlife Money Errors

Mistakes happen, even for people who have some life experience under their belt. That said, your retirement strategy is one area of life where you want to avoid having some fundamental misconceptions. These errors and suppositions are worth examining, as you do not want to succumb to them. See if you notice any of these […]

Will You Avoid These Estate Planning Mistakes?

Will You Avoid These Estate Planning Mistakes?

Many people plan their estates diligently, with input from legal, tax, and financial professionals. Others plan earnestly but make mistakes that can potentially affect both the transfer and destiny of family wealth. Here are some common and not-so-common errors to avoid. Doing it all yourself. While you could write your own will or create a […]

Why DIY Investment Management Is Such a Risk

Why DIY Investment Management Is Such a Risk

If you ever have the inkling to manage your investments on your own, that inkling is worth reconsidering. Do-it-yourself investment management is generally a bad idea for the retail investor for myriad reasons. Getting caught up in the moment. When you are watching your investments day to day, you can lose a sense of historical […]

Coping with an Inheritance

Coping with an Inheritance

Inheriting wealth can be a burden and a blessing. Even if you have an inclination that a family member may remember you in their last will and testament, there are many facets to the process of inheritance that you may not have considered. Here are some things you may want to keep in mind if […]

The Problem of Money Paralysis

The Problem of Money Paralysis

A decision not made may have financial consequences. Sometimes, we fall prey to a kind of money paralysis, in which financial indecision is regarded as a form of “safety.”   Retirement seems to heighten this tendency. If you are single and retired, you may be fearful of drawing down your retirement savings too soon or […]

Keep Calm, Stay Invested

Keep Calm, Stay Invested

Recent headlines have added volatility to the markets. There will always be new headlines, and any of them could mean turbulence for Wall Street.   As an investor and retirement saver, how much will this turmoil matter to you in the long run? Not as much as you may expect. There are many good reasons […]

Mutual Funds vs EFTs

Mutual Funds vs EFTs

The growth of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) has been explosive. In 1998, there were only 29; at the end of 2018, there were over 1,900 investing in a wide range of stocks, bonds, and other securities and instruments.1   At first glance, ETFs have a lot in common with mutual funds. Both offer shares in a […]

Pension Plans & De-risking

Pension Plans & De-risking

A new term has made its way into today’s financial jargon: de-risking. Anyone with assets in an old-school pension plan should know what it signifies.   De-risking is when a large employer hands over its established pension liabilities to a third party (typically, a major insurer). By doing this, the employer takes a sizable financial […]

Do Your Investments Match Your Risk Tolerance?

Do Your Investments Match Your Risk Tolerance?

From time to time, it is a good idea to review how your portfolio assets are allocated – how they are divided among asset classes.   At the inception of your investment strategy, your target asset allocations reflect your tolerance for risk. Over time, though, your portfolio may need adjustments to maintain those target allocations. […]

The Cost of Procrastination

The Cost of Procrastination

Some of us share a common experience. You’re driving along when a police cruiser pulls up behind you with its lights flashing. You pull over, the officer gets out, and your heart drops.   “Are you aware the registration on your car has expired?”   You’d been meaning to take care of it for some […]