Financial planning and wealth management is more than investments and managing funds, it’s also being aware and ready for a financial crisis. While many risks are accidental or internal, others are targeted maliciously against you. Part of financial preparedness is education and planning for fraud prevention because even now, in this time of crisis, criminals
If you’ve got any money in the markets, you’ve probably had your eyes glued to the Dow Jones, NASDAQ, and the S&P 500. We know we have. It’s been a rollercoaster of ebbs and tides, with drops that dip historically and sudden spikes of activity – both buying and selling. We want off this ride
Saying these last two months have been trying would be an understatement. Beyond the struggles we all share of quarantine life – cabin fever, boredom (or alternatively, no breaks for essential and frontline workers), and a lack of flattering haircuts – those in the world of wealth management and financial planning have had the market’s
Things right now seem crazy: this pandemic has had ripples across all parts of our lives. Panic toilet paper buying, closed businesses, insane Facebook relatives, and cabin fever are only half of it: the reason you clicked on this blog is the other half. We are seeing financial instability across the board, with bull and
What if I told you to stop thinking about a retirement date when considering your personal financial plan? What if I told you that investing isn’t just about retiring and living happily ever after? Here are three reasons why: 1. You’re healthy, but inflation is killing you. Quit planning like you die at retirement. Throw
I was sitting in a meeting the other day, where the topic of discussion was life changes. Specifically, it was about how certain events in life have huge financial impact (birth, new job or job loss, marriage, divorce, retirement, disability, death). I instantly made a mental note: “must write an article about death and its
The Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount, referred to as IRMAA, can come as a surprise to some retirees. The standard Part B Medicare premium in 2018 is $134. What most people don’t know is that as retirees they may end up paying a significant surcharge on their Medicare Part B and Part D (Drug benefit) premiums. This is a result of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 (which took effect in 2007) affecting Medicare Part B
Community service has always played a big role in my life. While growing up, my parents were both pastors and deeply involved in non-profit work. Giving was just something that was expected; it was part of our way of life. As an adult, I have carried the values my mom and dad instilled in us
New visitors to our home frequently comment on our kitchen, specifically on how great it looks. We had it built a few years ago. While my wife and I graciously accept the compliments, every time I hear someone ‘ooh and aah’ over it, secretly I cringe. It’s not that it’s not beautiful – to the
The other day, a friend told me about a relative who had suffered from a heart attack and had to be rushed to the hospital. Thankfully, the man was treated in time and is now home in recovery. Even so, it was a shock to everyone as no one was aware that he had any
