When buying a home, you probably know a lot of the potential risks such as the risk your home will go down in value over time or the risk that your home will require a lot of maintenance after purchase. In the same way, knowledgeable investors are aware that investing in the capital markets presents any number of risks – interest-rate risk, company risk, and market risk. Risk is […]
Learning from Biases and How They Affect Our Financial Choices
“Men willingly believe what they wish.” – Julius Caesar The Roman Emperor Julius Caesar was alluding to bias, which happens when individuals process information around them and then stick to their preconceived ideas. Bias can happen in financial matters too, and even the most seasoned investors are subject to them. When dealing with emotions, investors are [...]
Tuning Out the Noise from the Financial Media
Image used under license from Freestock.com When asked what to watch out for when it comes to investing, clients may expect us to tell them about a specific stock to avoid, or something similar. But our answer is often far different. One of the biggest things you may want to watch out for is actually the financial media. [...]
Spotlight Shift to Bonds
What to know about interest rates and yields.Here’s what you need to know. One principle of investing is, "when bond yields move higher, bond prices tend to move lower." Investors are doing a "double take" on the 10-year Treasury yield, which recently topped 1.5% — its highest level in about a year. With the increase [...]
Should You Consider Refinancing Your Mortgage?
Should You Consider Refinancing Your Mortgage?Market sees historic lows in mortgage rates. On July 16, mortgage giant Freddie Mac announced that the average interest rate for a 30-year home loan had fallen to 2.98%. In addition, the average interest rate for a 15-year home loan had declined to 2.48%.1 A 30-year mortgage at less than [...]
What Are Stock Splits?
What Are Stock Splits?Here’s what you need to know. Two high-profile companies—Apple and Tesla—have announced stock splits in the past few weeks, which makes it a great time to discuss what’s involved when a company announces a stock split. Remember, any companies mentioned are for illustrative purposes only. It should not be considered a solicitation [...]
Small Business Retirement Plans
How do you pick the most appropriate retirement plan for your business as well as your employees? As a small-business owner, figuring out retirement choices can be a little intimidating.The SECURE Act and CARES Act may complicate the decision. There are three main types of retirement plans for small businesses: SIMPLE-IRAs, SEP-IRAs, and 401(k)s. Read […]
Why You Might Want to Create a Donor-Advised Fund
Do you regularly donate to charities and other non-profit organizations? Then you may want to open a Donor-Advised Fund. Donor-Advised Funds are becoming popular. It is easy to see why. They offer potential tax perks, and in some instances, a chance to grow money set aside for charitable gifting.1,2 It is all too easy to […]
Are Your Beneficiary Designations Up to Date?
Here’s a simple financial question: Who is the beneficiary of your IRA? How about your 401(k) or annuity? You may be saying, “I’m not sure.” It is a good idea to periodically review your beneficiary designations. Your choices may need to change with the times. When did you open your first IRA? When did you […]
Starting a Roth IRA for a Child or Grandchild
Do you have a child or grandchild earning some income? Indirectly, that after-school or summer job might present a savings opportunity for that teenager. You could help your child or grandchild save for future goals by assisting them to create and fund a Roth IRA. So many people wish they had begun saving for retirement […]
