Most people aren’t aware that there are two very different types of financial advisors: brokers and independent advisors. Brokers Work for Big Financial Firms A broker is someone who works for a broker dealer, like the billion dollar firms Morgan Stanley or Merrill Lynch, a Bank of America corporation, employed to sell their products. Brokers operate with big advertising […]
Stocks Sink Again, Energy Shares Tumble
Another Full Correction Mode Here we go again, with the stock market in full correction mode for the second time in 6 months. The market is trying to sort out its concerns over the slowdown in China, weak oil and commodity prices, and concerns about the Fed’s monetary policy. Recession? However, an analysis of current economic […]
Year-End Financial Checklist Tips: Consider Securities
In her blog, “Year-End Financial Checklist: 7 Tips to End on a High Note“, Jaclyn Jackson highlights seven important actions that will help you to get maximum value from your securities portfolio. Depending on your individual circumstances, you might be able to employ all of these excellent suggestions. I would like to expand on a […]
Retirement Challenges
It seems to be a common theme at cocktail parties: “With the way the market is going now, I don’t think I will ever be able to retire.” But is it really that bad? What are the retirement challenges you need to prepare for? Million Dollar Nest Egg? At first glance, it certainly looks like […]
Market Volatility and Your Portfolio
In my email of 8/24/15 to my clients, I indicated that the market’s volatility could persist for the short term. Two months later the market appears to have “formed a bottom”, and we may be on our way to reaching the trend line of long-term market growth. What Does This Mean to You? I feel […]
Our Site Is Now Mobile-Friendly!
Did you know that nearly 2/3 of Americans are now smartphone owners? According to the PEW Research Center’s 2015 report, we’re relying more on our phones for information primarily because of their convenience and portability, whether we have other ways or accessing the internet or not. You won’t see much difference in the look of […]
Caring for Aging Parents: What Should I Do?
My parents can’t manage alone any more. Are one or both of your parents having health problems, suffering mental lapses, or just slowing down with age? Do you find they can’t manage on their own anymore? If so, you’ll want to consider the various living arrangements that are available to older individuals. Before you begin, […]
Facts About Social Security Benefits
It’s easy to take Social Security for granted when retirement is years away, but with 94% of the U.S. workforce covered by Social Security, it’s likely that this program will play a role in your financial future, perhaps even sooner than you think. Here are some facts and statistics from the Social Security Administration that […]
Are You Ready to Retire?
Here are some questions to ask yourself when deciding whether or not you are ready to retire. Is your nest egg adequate? It’s obvious, but the earlier you retire, the less time you’ll have to save, and the more years you’ll be living off of your retirement savings. The average American can expect to live […]
How Can I Lower My Auto Insurance Bill?
Yes, you can. Insurance companies base auto insurance rates on a number of criteria, such as age, driving record, residence, and type of car driven. If you find that you’re paying more than you think you should for insurance, there are ways you can lower your premiums. Shop around: Auto rates vary from company to […]