In our last piece, we introduced some of the tools of the tax-planning trade. It’s one thing to have the tools. It’s another to make best use of them. After all, the same paintbrush can create a valuable work of art, or a clashing mess on canvas. It all depends on how you use the brush.
Read MoreWhether you’re saving, investing, spending, bequeathing, or receiving wealth, there’s scarcely a move you can make without considering how taxes might influence the outcome. No wonder people get nervous when there’s lots of talk about higher taxes, but little certainty on what may come of it, and who it might affect. However, it remains up to us to make the best use of these “tools of the trade.” Today, let’s take a look at some of most familiar tax breaks available.
Read MoreAs we swing into the second half of 2021, consider this quote from a book first published back in 1954:
“A river cannot, we are told, rise above its source. Well, it can seem to if there is a pumping station concealed somewhere about.”
Does the sentiment remind you of anything going on in the markets today—or forever, for that matter?
Read MoreIn our last piece, we covered the recent uptick in inflation, and what to make of it in historical context. For investors, it’s important to take a step back and look at the big picture before acting on breaking news. But what if inflation does get out of hand, and stays that way for a while?
Read MoreHas the specter of inflation got you spooked? Recent headlines are filled with sightings. In this two-part series, let’s take a closer look at what to make of all the commentary, and what you can do about it as an investor. First and foremost, we caution against succumbing to fear or panic in the face of inflation. As usual, careful planning remains your best guide.
Read MoreIn our last piece, we emphasized the importance of estate planning as the greatest gift you can bequeath to your loved ones, to reduce their painful stress load during an already stressful time. If you’ve been putting off your estate planning, taking the initial steps can be daunting—but liberating. So, let’s get started today, one hurdle at a time.
Read MoreWhen you pass, you will leave behind an estate, and somebody will need to settle it. Your estate may be worth a little or a lot, but there’s no escaping death and taxes. So why do so many families put off their essential estate planning until push comes to shove?
Read MoreMy, what a quarter it’s been. At work and play, who isn’t eager for this summer to be the most awesome one ever?
Read MoreIs it just our imagination, or has there been an uptick lately in exciting new trading tactics for seizing riches from exotic new markets? Excitement isn’t necessarily an investor’s best friend. Respecting the jungle rules is the wiser way to endure.
Read MoreWe covered a lot of ground in parts 1 and 2 of this three-part series on cryptocurrency. You may or may not be interested in using cryptocurrency as a means of exchange. But what about trading in it, directly or in fund form?
Read MoreIn part 1 of our three-part series, we introduced cryptocurrency in general. Next, let’s explore the challenges and opportunities that exist for those hoping to earn, store, and spend their bitcoin or similar cryptoassets. Ready?
Read MoreAre you out of breath trying to keep up with the breaking news about GameStop and all the other red-hot trades o’ the day? Here’s a synopsis (to date), and what it means to you as an investor.
Read MoreIt’s hard to scan the financial headlines these days and not spot at least one call to action related to Bitcoin’s latest moves. Has all the attention given you cryptocurrency fever, or are you at least wondering what it’s all about? Before you start loading up on bitcoin or any other form of cryptocurrency, let’s take a closer look at what you may be getting yourself into.
Read MorePandemic aside, there have been plenty of great, big year-end reviews and year-ahead teasers, clamoring for your current attention.
Read MoreIf there’s one trait nearly everyone shares, it’s a desire to make the world a better place. No wonder there’s so much interest in environmental, social, governance (ESG) investing. Who wouldn’t want to try earning decent if not stellar returns, while contributing – or at least causing less harm – to the greater good?
Read MoreIs charitable giving important to you? Once you are confident that you are likely to meet all your goals for financial security, you can begin to think about how to incorporate charitable giving into your plan in a tax-advantageous manner. Here are four practical possibilities to consider for charitable giving under the 2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act (TCJA) rules.
Read MoreWhether it’s sudden and unexpected or after an already lengthy ordeal, there’s nothing that can prepare you for losing your spouse. Here are some helpful handholds to hang onto if you have been recently widowed (or you know someone who has), plus preemptive steps to take if you’re reading this in happier times.
Read MoreAs investors, we leap before we look. We stay when we should go. We cringe at the very risks that are expected to generate our greatest rewards. All the while, we rush into nearly every move, only to fret and regret them long after the deed is done.
Read MoreWe see it often. Whenever investors are spooked by turbulent times, dollars tend to flow out of the stock market, and into “safe harbor” investments such as bonds, bond funds, CDs, money markets, or even cash. As part of your overall investment strategy, it usually makes sense to allocate some of your wealth to safe harbor holdings. But too much “safety” can actually put your wealth at risk. Today, we’ll explore why this is so.
Read MoreClearly, there is a lot to think about when planning for retirement. While we have a degree of control over many of the choices involved, there’s one big wild card called sequence risk. Wondering how to manage the possibility of Boom Boom Pow?
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