Insights

Paying Off Debt - All debt is not created equal.

The often-repeated mantra that "all debt is bad debt" demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of how money really works.  Here are 3 things to consider:

1.  It's just a tool. The apt analogy here is that of a kitchen knife.  Kitchen knives can be dangerous, but...

March is a busy time of year for you...and those after your money.  

5 Characteristics of Most Scams: March is a busy month.  The market is usually active, taxes are due in April, and people are busy making financial decisions.  Avoiding scams is easy if you...

Spending in Your Retirement. A secure retirement is the combination of careful planning and understanding how taxes will affect you. Diversify Beyond Tax Deferral...Let's be clear - 401k and IRA accounts are valuable tools.  A word of caution however - don't forget to stash additional savings in taxable brokerage accounts, Roth IRAs,...

Stocks in 2019. It's important to be realistic about what the market will (and won't) yield following a multi-year rally in stocks.  

Big Gains?  Probably not - but...Various sectors, classes, and industries do not move in unison and this presents opportunities.  For the past decade, lower quality, high growth...

Accessing 401k Funds Early...Normally you aren't allowed to withdraw funds from a 401k or other retirement plan prior to age 59 & 1/2 without a 10% penalty in addition to taxes owed.  There is however, a notable exception to this rule if you are looking...

Avoid the IRS Rollover Trap! As 2018 rolls to a close, people across the country will "roll over" old IRA, 401k, and company plans....and accidentally cost themselves thousands of dollars in taxes.  What is a "rollover?"...When you move money from one company retirement plan or IRA into another company...

With many portfolios flat or slightly down for the year, the 1st and 4th quarters have book-ended a volatile 2018 with 11% and 7% respective sell-offs in the broader market.  What's causing the volatility and is it normal historically? 

What's Causing It?...For most investors, 2018 has felt...

Don't Be Fooled by Social Security Doomsayers. The program is healthier than you think - and its problems are much easier to fix than advertised.  Here are 3 facts about the program you need to know! Fact #1: The Fund & Costs

Despite headlines to the contrary,...

With vacation season upon us, here is some advice and tips from this author's own experience on the road.  #1: Travel Insurance...A product sold - never purchased!  Customers don't know what they are buying and firms are fuzzy on what they cover.  Most high quality credit cards...

2 Great Mortgage Myths. Mortgages are a great tool for wealth building - as long as you understand what you are really getting! Myth #1:  Early payoff saves you interest cost. Here we must introduce a vital concept - "opportunity cost."   Simply put, opportunity cost is what I give...

Why Social Security Matters. 6 Reasons to Preserve It! Social Security (or SSDI as the program is officially known) is an incredibly important tool to supplement retirement for the majority of Americans.  Here are 6 reasons to preserve it: 1.  It's not an "entitlement:" Despite its image as a hand...

Investing as Rates Rise. Do higher rates hurt stock values? 1.  What history tells us: 40% of the time in calendar years dating back to the 1920s, rates and stock values rose simultaneously. The belief that they cannot coexist is simply incorrect and not demonstrated by...