A House Divided

The latest research suggests that divorce rates in the U.S. have been falling in recent decades. Still, many people face the difficult crossroads that comes when their marriage ends.1 Getting a divorce is often a painful, emotional process. Don’t be in such a hurry to reach a settlement that you make poor decisions that can …

A House Divided Read More »

A Primer on Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts

“I’m proud to pay taxes in the United States; the only thing is, I could be just as proud for half the money.”Entertainer Arthur Godfrey The irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT) can be an important estate strategy tool that may accomplish a number of estate objectives; however, it may not be appropriate for every individual.1,2 …

A Primer on Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts Read More »

A Bucket Plan to Go with Your Bucket List

John and Mary are nearing retirement and they have a lot of items on their bucket list. Longer life expectancies mean John and Mary may need to prepare for two or even three decades of retirement. How should they position their money?1 One approach is to segment your expenses into three buckets: Basic Living Expenses— …

A Bucket Plan to Go with Your Bucket List Read More »

A Brief Guide To Condo Insurance

The ownership structure of a condominium unit is different from that of a single family house. Here’s what you need to know when purchasing insurance for your condo.1 1. Understand the Master Policy Since the ownership of all common areas is shared with other condo owners, the association of owners typically purchases insurance coverage (a …

A Brief Guide To Condo Insurance Read More »

Do Our Biases Affect Our Financial Choices?

Investors are routinely warned about allowing their emotions to influence their decisions. However, they are not often cautioned about their preconceptions and biases that may color their financial choices. In a battle between the facts & biases, our biases may win. If we acknowledge this tendency, we may be able to avoid some unexamined choices …

Do Our Biases Affect Our Financial Choices? Read More »

IRA Withdrawals that Escape the 10% Tax Penalty

The reason withdrawals from an Traditional Individual Retirement Account (IRA) prior to age 59½ are generally subject to a 10% tax penalty is that policymakers wanted to create a disincentive to use these savings for anything other than retirement.1 Yet, policymakers also recognize that life can present more pressing circumstances that require access to these …

IRA Withdrawals that Escape the 10% Tax Penalty Read More »

Separating the Signal From the Noise

What kind of role can a financial professional play for an investor? The answer: an important one. While the value of such a relationship is hard to quantify, the intangible benefits may be long-lasting. There are certain investors who turn to a financial professional with one goal in mind: the “alpha” objective of beating the …

Separating the Signal From the Noise Read More »

Investing with Your Heart

Some individuals believe that return on investment shouldn’t be the only criterion for how they invest their money. For them, the social impact of investing is just as important – perhaps more important. The history of socially responsible investing stretches as far back as the mid-18th century, but it’s more-modern form began taking shape in …

Investing with Your Heart Read More »

Investment Challenges of the Affluent Investor

High net worth investors face investment challenges that some would consider unique to their financial status. The fundamental tenets of investing apply equally to them as with any other investor, but the affluent investor needs to be mindful of issues that typically arise only from substantial wealth. Let’s examine a few of these. Being Too …

Investment Challenges of the Affluent Investor Read More »

Scroll to Top