Financial Risks That Are Not in the News
Stock market risk is the primary focus of the financial news. The reason is simple. The scarier the headline, the more eyes are attracted to it.
Six Key Ideas for Navigating Markets for the Rest of 2022
Category: Investing
Over the next few months, both leading up to and immediately following the election, the winners and losers are going to seem omnipresent on the news, social media, even in the “entertainment” industry. So, here are six key ideas to keep in mind as you navigate the remaining months of 2022.
Pay Me Now or Pay Me Later | Financial Perspectives (In a Minute)
While this year has had its share of negative financial news, there might be one opportunity to pay some taxes now in order to save some money on taxes later. This week, Kent Kramer walks us through Roth IRA conversions.
Chart of the Month – Oct 2022
Category: Investing
As an investor, perspective is important. At the end of the day, a diversified, low cost, properly allocated portfolio based on your financial plan is what matters.
Is ESG Investing Right for You? | Financial Perspectives
Category: Investing
What is ESG Investing and what could you expect over the long term?
When Was the Last Time You Reviewed Your 401(k) Plan?
Do you run a small business that provides a 401(k) plan benefit for your employees? Do you ever wonder if you are following all the right steps to ensure that you are meeting your fiduciary responsibilities as a plan sponsor?
Three Categories of Risk for Retirement Income
Risks can often feel much different to retirees. The overarching risk for retirees is that something takes place that results in a permanently lower standard of living. Retirement researcher, Wade Pfau, has identified three major categories of risk for one’s income in retirement.
Are Rising Rates a Blessing or a Curse? | Financial Perspectives
Category: Investing » Equity / Stocks
With the Fed having aggressively raised their target rate all year long and bond markets, as well as stock markets, having tough years, are rising rates a blessing or a curse?
Are Rising Rates a Blessing or a Curse? | Financial Perspectives (In a Minute)
Category: Investing » Equity / Stocks
With the Fed having aggressively raised their target rate all year long and bond markets, as well as stock markets, having tough years, are rising rates a blessing or a curse?
How Much Should Associations Hold in Reserve Assets?
Category: Investing
A common question among nonprofit associations is how much they should hold in reserve assets. There is a “rule of thumb” that associations should hold six months of operating expenses in reserve. Is this common rule of thumb common practice?
Market Madness
There is just something about the NCAA Men’s and Women’s College Basketball Tournament. There is tremendous excitement in many families and workplaces as tournament brackets are filled in with predictions about the outcomes of 67 games over a three-week period.
Why Index Funds Don’t Work for Some People
Category: Investing
Index funds are popular investment tools for good reason. They are low cost, effective ways to capture market return. Choosing to use index funds is only half the battle though; you must use them correctly to truly benefit.
Inflation – How High & How Long? | Financial Perspectives
Category: Investing
While the war in Ukraine is in day 25, leaders around the world are looking to not only stem that two-nation conflict, but also to tame the higher-than-expected global inflation which threatens to slow or derail the post-pandemic economic recovery that had been underway.
Spring Clean Your Financial Plan
Category: Investing » Asset Allocation
You can’t have spring without spring cleaning. As you tackle your home, yard, and other spaces this year, your financial plan might also need to be spruced up. Here are a few tips to clean up your financial plan this spring.
Chart of the Month – Mar 2022
Category: Investing
Are you feeling the pain at the pump? What is driving oil prices higher?
The War in Ukraine | Financial Perspectives
Category: Investing
There’s likely no more important news in the world right now than what is happening in Ukraine as Russia invades their smaller neighbor. Economic impacts are being felt across the globe and there is certainly a humanitarian crisis developing in Europe. Let’s take a look at the impact the Ukraine/Russia crisis has on the US and global economy.
A Look Under the Hood of a Bond Fund | Financial Perspectives
Category: Investing
A lot of investors may be wondering how rising interest rates might be impacting their investments, so today, we're going to talk about bond funds -- how they operate, some of the details, and see how they're responding to this environment.
Keep Your Eyes on the Horizon and Wings Level
Category: Investing » Alternative Investments
We often get asked by clients about different ideas they heard from a friend, a new exclusive deal they got invited into, or, most frequently, a specific company or stock that a friend gave them the scoop on. The reality is that a lot of the “great ideas and deals” never amount to any real return, and many end up going to zero.
Is the Stock Market a Glass Half Full?
Category: Investing
The month of January was marked by negative returns for global stock markets. But, as the well-worn phrase, “Is your glass half full or half empty?” implies, our view of, or the way we feel about the state of markets as investors, may be more related to our personal dispositions than what the numbers indicate.
Meta Does Not Equal Value | Financial Perspectives
Category: Investing
The headlines last week included “Faceplant”, and “Metaflop” following Meta’s disappointing earnings and new users numbers. As interesting as the metaverse may be, it turns out investors still want real world results when it comes to their investments.
Chart of the Month – Feb 2022
Category: Investing
Market declines are never enjoyable in the moment. But these kinds of intra-year pull backs are normal when looking at market history.