Thanks to my kind Qi Gong instructor, Dean Swerdlin, I am learning more about Chinese Zodiac symbolism. For financial advisors, the first couple of months of each (Western) calendar year is filled with articles, webinars, and industry meetings about economic projections for the coming year. Interesting, to be sure, and partially right at best.…
I guess it’s a good year in the stock market when the worst performing sectors (so far, as of writing this blog on September 13th) aren’t negative, just not up as high as the best performers. My sage advice for acting on this data – don’t get used to it! Here, with no particular…
There is an old saying that goes, “If you don’t hate at least one investment in your portfolio, you aren’t really diversified.” It’s a clever reminder that not having your eggs in one basket means that some of your baskets will look really ratty while others are full of chocolate bunnies and decorated with bows. …
After the usual partisan haggling, Washington has presented citizens with the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, cleverly known as CARES.* What does it mean for you? Here, as usual, are the very broad strokes of the Act that affect most people, along with my snarky comments. For more technical information, please read this…
In case you are wondering what goes through the mind of financial advisers during brutal stock market downturns, here is a peek behind the curtain. Obviously, just me, I can’t speak for all my adviser friends. Feeling #1: Discouraged. People in the money business invest in the same stock and bond markets as their…
The first quarter rite of passage for financial advisers seems to be attending economic forecasts. Yes, it is absolutely as fun as it sounds. Zzzzzz. I try to avoid these meetings because market forecasts are almost never right and not one is ever called to account for their not-rightness. Like weather forecasting. Also, I…
An alert reader asked me to elaborate a bit on the SECURE Act in relation to the effect on inheriting IRAs. This has received a lot of press, so I guess a lot of people are worried about it. Is it possible all the press the SECURE Act has received is making people worry? Hmmmm.…
Ah, Valentine’s Day. Love it or hate it, it does come with some great candy. Here is a quick recap of Valentine’s Day related investments (as of January 28th) to get you thinking about how to incorporate holidays into your investment management plans. Nestle (NSRGY), is down 1.26% for the past 12 months, but…
Ski season is over for the Sullivan family and it was a warm one. It was still fun, but we were skiing on slush as early as February. Not to get political, but this global warming debate is all fun and games until it interferes with my winter recreation. So, now it’s time to turn…
Sorry, this is not like a fortune cookie where I reveal your lucky numbers (“Confucius says buy stocks on days 14, 28, 200, and 360 of the year.”). Rather, here is a quick update on new retirement savings limits and other info you can use when planning your financial year.* You are doing that right…