What is the current level of recession risk? It’s always prudent to ask these questions when conditions are benign, since that’s when the downside of the current good times is usually the most ignored. It seems everyone in the world is bullish (except those selling gold). There are a variety of signposts one could look…
You know how when you buy a new car, you suddenly see ‘your’ car everywhere, though you never really noticed it before? That’s what’s been happening with me and the Roth IRA lately. They’ve been around for over 20 years but lately, it seems they’re popping up in articles, client meetings and planning cases left and…
Dear Graduates, As you make your way into the workforce, you might feel eager to take on the first job offer that comes your way. But I encourage you to proceed with thought, caution and with the best interests of your future self (and maybe, family) at heart. In this third and final installment of…
Dear College Graduates, Most of you will walk away from your education with more than a diploma. Around 68% of you graduating with a bachelor’s degree are carrying $30,000 in student loan debt. For graduate students, that number is closer to $100,000. While it’s often tempting (and, an admirable financial planning goal) to focus on getting…
There are financial terms that, as advisors, we often use as if they are a part of everyday conversation. Some clients will get a bit giddy when we use terms like asset allocation, beta, correlation, and diversification. The other 95% will nod their head as if in agreement while thinking, “Please make it stop!” As…
Women are powerful. They represent the primary breadwinner in 44% of U.S. households and manage over $14 trillion (51%) of wealth today.[1] Even with that kind of influence, the relationship between women and finances isn’t always an empowered one. Only a little over half of you feel comfortable about your retirement, compared to 68% of…
Do you know the difference between Medicare, Medigap and Medicare Advantage? What about supplements A, B, C, D and the rest of the alphabet soup? My parents are approaching Medicare age and late last month, I tagged along to attend a free educational class they were attending, hosted by SHIBA (Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance). This introductory…
Recently, one of our client families came to us with questions around how best to finance a down payment for their future home. A young couple, their home was perfect back when it was just the two of them. But several years and a couple of kiddos later, they feel they’re outgrowing it. Rather than…
Our team of financial planners is special. We’re diverse, we’re experienced and we’re of the belief that knowledge is power. Last fall, in partnership with Willamette Valley Hospice and Collier Law, I had the great privilege of speaking to a room full of intelligent women about financial planning. We had such a wonderful response that we’re doing it again. Might you…
For some of our client families, this time of year means tax planning. For others, we’re focused on how to help them complete the charitable resolutions they set back in January. In today’s blog post we discuss how to achieve both by comparing gifts through Qualified Charitable Distributions, appreciated stock or Donor Advised Funds. For…