Blog

In the worlds of financial planning and investment management, there are many variables outside of our control.  Perhaps most significant and obvious is the fact that we cannot control the financial markets, and as much as we take the guesswork out of financial planning by building detailed, customized cash flow projections and testing them, looking into the future naturally breeds uncerta

When you last heard from us in mid-February, we were amidst a period of heightened stock market volatility, and it was at that time that we noted how the economic indicators we study still suggested that solid market fundamentals would prevail in the near term.  The results of the first quarter earnings season, which just wrapped up last month, continue to make that case.

Prior to early February, the S&P 500 index enjoyed its longest streak in history without a pullback of at least 5%, but after more than 18 months of nearly uninterrupted advances, over the last two weeks volatility in the stock market has increased considerably.  This long period of market calm is actually more unique than this recent perceived instability.  Regardless of what has

By now you are likely aware of the new tax laws that Congress approved and on which President Trump signed off in late 2017.  While most headlines center around how people’s wallets and businesses’ balance sheets will be affected directly by these new provisions, we wanted to offer our thoughts on how we expect these laws will impact various segments of the market as we progres

Last week, one of the big four credit reporting agencies, Equifax, announced it experienced a security breach resulting in criminals accessing personal information of approximately 143 million Americans between May and July of this year. The compromised information included names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and dates of birth.

We are writing to inform you that the Investment Committee has approved another change to our target portfolios. When you last heard from us in June, we shared with you a trade we had authorized that reduced domestic large cap growth stocks in favor of non-US equities.

We are writing to inform you that the Investment Committee has approved a change to the construct of our target portfolios.  Please note as follows:

After an extended period of low volatility, markets have been more challenging to navigate over the last several weeks. The S&P 500 has retreated since its last high on March 1, and long-term interest rates have declined over the same period, pushing bond prices higher.

The digital world has transformed professional industries in unique ways that prior to internet access would have been impossible. Doctors can monitor patients remotely, lawyers can offer counsel online, software can complete your taxes for you, and even financial investments and advising can be made without any face-to-face contact.

When people warn you that having kids is expensive, it’s no joke. From diapers to food, braces to sports activities the costs add up quick. For a middle-income family in the U.S. raising a child up until age 18, it costs an estimated average of $245,340 (or $304,480, adjusted for projected inflation), according to the 2013 “Cost of Raising a Child” report from the U.S.