Private Wealth Management Insights

Your Best Retirement Planning Moves 5, 10, and 20 Years Out

No matter how far or near retirement is for you, there are smart moves you can make to help put you in a better position for your financial future.

Solid Portfolio Lets You Avoid Market Blips

History has demonstrated that if you're patient, over time you can reap substantial rewards from financial markets, assuming that you've invested wisely.

Trust Can Be a Vital Ingredient in a Good Will

As they age, many people naturally begin to focus on their wills. While planning your bequests is always a good idea, people often overlook a crucial option: Instead of using a simple will, use a will with a built-in trust. In many cases, with the guidance of a qualified attorney, a trust can be more effective than a simple will in achieving your estate goals, and provides far more flexibility for changing life circumstances.

Don’t Touch Your 401(k)

Unless you need the money for a dire emergency, absolutely, unequivocally not - for a host of reasons. Making withdrawals from your 401(k) defeats the purpose of these plans - to enable you to build resources for a secure retirement during your working years.

MoneyTalks- The Importance of Financial Discussions at Every Stage of Life

From the time we begin to conceptualize how money and finances impact every facet of our lives, we are also faced with the uncomfortable realization that no one likes to talk about money. Issues surrounding finances and money are among the primary catalysts for family arguments, marital problems and divorce, failed business partnerships (no surprise there), and even dissolved friendships. So, why, if we know how important these issues must be to most of us that they result in so many ended relationships, would we not begin to address the root cause of these problems? Poor communication.

How Long Does It Take To Say For Certain Your Investment Manager’s Performance Isn’t Just Luck?

I find it interesting that consultants and advisors in our industry tend to talk about a manager's skill after a period of outperformance.  After several years of outperformance, consultants conclude that this manager is not merely lucky but skillful.

How to Decide if Renting or Buying a Home is Right for You

For most people, the best reasons to own a home have little or nothing to do with whether it's a good financial investment. Everyone desires a comfortable place to live and raise their family. Which house you choose, and how you pay for it, is not just an investment. First, it's a lifestyle choice.

The Dirty Little Secret About Index Funds

If you read this blog regularly, you know that we advocate a passive, low-cost, diversified investment portfolio.  Most people equate that to index funds.  For the majority of investors, index funds are a great alternative to their actively managed counterparts.

Stock Market Predictions Are Worthless

I am not sure what our fascination with predictions is all about.  Whether it is political elections, sports, or the financial markets, everyone seems to be willing to stop and listen to someone willing to make a prediction.  Rarely do we ever go back to evaluate how those predictions pan out?