If you’ve ever met with a financial advisor, you’ve probably heard something like, “Your plan has an 85% chance of success.” That sounds pretty reassuring—but what does it actually mean? The answer usually comes from a Monte Carlo simulation. Monte Carlo software is a way to test thousands of possible futures instead of pretending anyone…
A very common topic with my financial planning clients is how to pay for a big home renovation. Whether it’s finishing a basement, relandscaping, or adding a second floor, home improvement is a big wish for many people. And then the quotes start rolling in. Sticker shock often has homeowners saying, “Is the brown shag…
Disclosure from Kristi before you read this: I do not sell or have any easy entrée into private equity investments. Unless it’s traded on the regular-old public markets exchange, you won’t get advice to buy private equity from me. However, you may be wondering what it’s about, if you are missing the boat, etc. So,…
The Mega-Back-Door Roth 401 (k). Oh, how the government likes to look like they are helping us create our own financial security in the face of a very small social safety net for our country’s ill and elderly. And you know who else loves it? That’s right, the financial news industry! Every time the government…
If you’re age 50 or older, you’ve probably heard of “catch-up contributions.” It’s the IRS saying, “You are making more money, maybe those expensive kids are launched, go ahead and pile on the retirement savings. We’ll let ya.” Up until this year, you could also protect those extra contributions from current income taxes. But, as…
Health Savings Accounts are fantastic. What other account has triple-tax benefits? Tax-deferred on the way in, tax-free growth, AND tax-free withdrawals when used for qualified medical expenses. Ah, but there is the rub. What can this magical tax-free money pay for? And what obvious medical costs are not reimbursable? Here are examples of surprising things…
Here it is – yet another financial advisor blog shaking its finger at you about not timing the market. Sorry folks, as long as people keep buying high and selling low, you are going to get this message from my BFFs (Best Financial Friends) and me. And for those of you who believe Crypto is…
Yep, we’ve all heard the expression. You may vaguely sense that it’s a caution against jumping out of your investments when headlines are scary – and you are right. But, what does this even mean? Origin Story – Every good superhero needs one. It is thought the expression started in the 1950s to depict a…
A nuance of estate planning that I learned about recently is the complications of transferring guns of a decedent. It’s not like designating your Grammy’s parrot brooch to the most fashionable grandchild. Here to explain more is attorney Chris Hornbaker. Thanks to Chris for answering these basic questions of mine. If You Own Firearms,…
After a strong year for international stocks in 2025, I’m getting more client questions about increasing the percentage of International in their portfolios. Many foreign stock funds saw double-digit returns, and the financial media (who are paid to get you riled up, not be a better investor!) is abuzz about “the comeback of international investing.”…
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