Young investor’s guide to building a financial future  

June 17, 2024

This piece combines into a single article our two-part series exploring the steps young clients may take as they begin investing for the first time. In it, we discuss the importance of avoiding high-interest credit card debt, embracing long-term investing and making the most of tax-advantaged retirement accounts such as 401(k)s and IRAs. We also cover the value of diversification, strategies to avoid speculative behaviors such as market timing and stock picking, and building a plan based on individual goals.

Categories: , , , , ,

Young investor’s guide to building a financial future—part 2: Investing for your goals  

June 17, 2024

Part 2 of a two-part series exploring the steps young clients may take as they begin investing for the first time. In the second and final article of this series, we cover the value of diversification, strategies to avoid speculative behaviors such as market timing and stock picking, and building a plan based on individual goals. The article is a follow-up to part 1, in which we discuss the importance of avoiding high-interest credit card debt, embracing long-term investing and making the most of tax-advantaged retirement accounts such as 401(k)s and IRAs.

Categories: , , , , ,

Young investor’s guide to building a financial future—part 1: Where do you start?  

May 30, 2024

Part 1 of a two-part series exploring the steps young clients may take as they begin investing for the first time. This first article discusses the importance of avoiding high-interest credit card debt, embracing long-term investing and making the most of tax-advantaged retirement accounts such as 401(k)s and IRAs. In part 2, we’ll cover the value of diversification, strategies to avoid speculative behaviors such as market timing and stock picking, and building a plan based on individual goals.

Categories: , , , , ,

Protecting women’s wealth  

March 16, 2024

This article describes some of the hurdles women face in protecting their wealth, including longevity and earning challenges, as well as ways to build greater financial stability through targeted financial planning.

Categories: , , , , , , , ,

Bringing order to your investment universe: A 3-part series  

February 20, 2024

This three-part series walks readers through how to transition from a chaotic collection of assets and accounts into a well-structured investment portfolio. Each part explores the separate planning pieces involved in minimizing the taxable impact of a desired transition while successfully moving toward a more orderly investment portfolio, and it encourages investors to hire an experienced financial planner to assist them. This series is also available in white paper format for use as a separate prospecting resource.

Categories: , , , , , , , ,

Bringing order to your investment universe: White paper  

February 20, 2024

This white paper walks readers through how to transition from a chaotic collection of assets and accounts into a well-structured investment portfolio. It explores how to strike an effective balance between minimizing the taxable impact of a desired transition while successfully moving toward a more orderly investment portfolio, and it encourages investors to hire an experienced financial planner to assist them. Each part in this three-part piece is also available in stand-alone format for use as a drip series.

Categories: , , , , , , , ,

Is Social Security Going Bust?  

March 26, 2023

An analysis of what is projected for Social Security, some of the fixes Congress is exploring to replenish its reserves, and why taking Social Security early just to avoid potential cuts in benefit, is only shifting financial risks rather than eliminating them.

Categories: , , , , , ,

What’s in the SECURE 2.0 Act?  

January 3, 2023

A five-page overview of key provisions in the newly enacted SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022, including updates that impact: (1) savers/investors, (2) employers/plan sponsors, (3) current spending (such as emergency expenses), (4) Roth accounts, (5) RMD requirements, and (6) charitable giving.

Categories: , , , , , , ,

When Should You Take Your Social Security?  

December 9, 2022

This 3-page piece summarizes some of the most common factors that may influence whether to start taking Social Security sooner or later, and emphasizes planning based on manageable factors, rather than hopes or fears that are beyond our control.

Categories: , , , , , ,

Six Financial Best Practices for Year-End 2022  

November 11, 2022

Share this piece with clients and prospects to offer six financial best practices for year-end 2022. This year's tips cover cash flow management, tax planning, healthcare coverage, and general financial planning in the context of 2022 events, including higher interest rates, inflation, and market volatility.

Categories: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Healing What Hurts: The Essential Role of a Financial Therapist  

February 16, 2022

This 3-page report describes the value a financial therapist can add to someone’s wealth management team when their own or a family member’s mental health may be interfering with their financial well-being. Points include when and how financial therapy can help, and how to identify an appropriate fit (including how your firm can assist in the selection).

Categories: , , , , , , , ,

Six Financial Best Practices for Year-End 2021  

November 7, 2021

Share this piece with clients and prospects to offer six financial best practices for year-end 2021. This year's tips cover investment discipline, budgeting, tax-planning, charitable giving, and estate planning considerations in the context of 2021 events. It also optionally references the newly released "Tax Planning in Turbulent Times" report for additional insights.

Categories: , , , , , , , , ,

Tax Planning in Turbulent Times  

November 7, 2021

This report combines our earlier 3-part tax planning series into a single, 6-page piece. It pairs well with, and is optionally referenced in the separate piece, "Six Financial Best Practices for Year-End 2021."

Categories: , , , , , , , ,

Quarterly Client Letter – 2021 Q3  

October 4, 2021

This Q3 2021 quarterly client letter puts recent market highs and lows in the context of more enduring news and views.

Categories: , , , ,

Tax Planning Part 3: Tax-Wise Financial Planning  

August 31, 2021

Part 3 of a 3-part series on tax-planning. Part 1 defined "the tools of the tax-planning trade," i.e., tax breaks for saving toward life goals such as retirement, healthcare, education, emergency spending, charitable giving, and wealth transfer. Part 2 explored reducing families' lifetime tax bills through tax-wise investment techniques. Part 3 explores integrating all of the above into broad financial planning.

Categories: , , , , , , , , , ,

Tax Planning Part 2: Tax-Wise Investment Techniques  

August 12, 2021

Part 2 of a 3-part series on tax-planning. Part 1 defined "the tools of the tax-planning trade," i.e., tax breaks for saving toward life goals such as retirement, healthcare, education, emergency spending, charitable giving, and wealth transfer. Part 2 explores reducing families' lifetime tax bills through tax-wise investment techniques. Part 3 will explore integrating all of the above into broad financial planning techniques.

Categories: , , , , , , , , ,

Tax Planning Part 1: Tools of the Trade  

July 27, 2021

Part 1 of a 3-part series on tax-planning. Part 1 defines "the tools of the tax-planning trade," i.e., tax breaks for saving toward life goals such as retirement, healthcare, education, emergency spending, charitable giving, and wealth transfer. Part 2 explores reducing families' lifetime tax bills through tax-wise investment techniques. Part 3 will explore integrating all of the above into broad financial planning techniques.

Categories: , , , , , , , , ,

Protecting What’s Yours (After You Pass) Part 2  

May 17, 2021

Share this two-part piece on estate planning basics with clients and prospects. Part 1 is 464 words, and reminds readers how important it is to have a basic will or trust. This part 2, at 1,413 words, offers step-by-step guidance on creating and maintaining an effective estate plan. Both pieces pair well with a 2019 Library piece, "Protecting What's Yours (While You're Alive)."

Categories: , , , , , , , ,

Protecting What’s Yours (After You Pass) Part 1  

April 29, 2021

Share this two-part piece on estate planning basics with clients and prospects. Part 1 is 464 words, and reminds readers how important it is to have a basic will or trust. Part 2 (coming soon) will offer step-by-step guidance on creating and maintaining an effective estate plan. Both pieces pair well with a 2019 Library piece, "Protecting What's Yours (While You're Alive)."

Categories: , , , , , , , ,

Understanding The 2021 Recovery Rebate Stimulus Payments  

March 12, 2021

An 864-word overview summarizing how the newly passed American Recovery Act of 2021 Recovery Rebate Stimulus Payments work: Who will receive them, how much they can expect to receive (if anything), and the three ways they may qualify for full or partial payments based on their 2019, 2020, and/or 2021 AGI.

Categories: , , , , ,

16 Things You Can Do To Prepare for the Next Recession  

October 18, 2019

16 things investors can do to truly strengthen their financial well-being, instead of engaging in market-timing in reaction to a potential recession. Share this 783-word overview with clients and prospects.

Categories: , , , , , , , , ,

FAFSA Application Advice for College-Bound Kids  

September 6, 2019

This 482-word message alerts parents and their college-bound children that there's no time to waste when submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application as soon as October 1 arrives. It describes how FAFSA works, and why time is of the essence.

Categories: , , ,

Protecting What’s Yours (While You’re Alive)  

July 25, 2019

Use this 1,300-word article in its entirety or broken into three parts to cover three tools an individual can employ to protect their health and wealth care interests while they are alive: (1) the financial power of attorney, (2) the trusted contact, and (3) the healthcare advance directive (including a living will and healthcare power of attorney). Includes a summary, when each applies, common scenarios and additional tips for each.

Categories: , , , , , , , ,

Back to top