The Cautious Investor

In December 2019, Congress passed the SECURE Act which brings significant changes to planning for the distribution of retirement assets after death.  Lifetime minimum distribution rules are pretty much left alone, with the only change being a delay in the starting point for required minimum distributions to age 72, from age 70½. The most notable change…

Starting off the New Year right while still enjoying the holiday spirit makes it a good time to think about charitable donations. For those 70.5 or older who must take their Required Minimum Distributions (RMD’s) from their IRA’s, thinking about charities close to your heart may be a good alternative to incurring the tax bill…

Sales and bargains can be exciting, as Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and other sales kick off the holiday shopping season. However, shoppers need to be cautious — excessive spending in pursuit of the “perfect” holiday can be a source of more stress. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the need to find the right gift…

Is the biggest risk to your returns looking back at you in the mirror? Many of us have found that acknowledging our own behavior in certain situations can make our chances of success higher and alleviate stress at the same time.   I hate driving in rush hour traffic, so I avoid it when possible.  All…

With Medicare annual Open Enrollment beginning October 15th, many of us are being inundated with ads, mailings and phone calls seeking to provide advice to all seniors.   This a great time to revisit Medicare basics and options available to Medicare recipients. All U.S. citizens and legal residents who have lived in the U.S. for the…

Remember the days before self-service when you could drive your car to a gas pump and tell the attendant to “fill ‘er up”? There are good reasons to take the same approach to selling securities before the end of the year. If you’re careful to fill up your lower tax brackets with long-term capital gains,…

The concept and reality of retirement is changing drastically. Back in the day, there were pensions that delivered a set amount of money every month at the end of a career that might have spanned anywhere from 20–35 years at the same company.  Now, there are 401(k)s, and gig work, robo-advisors and smartphone savings apps. …

“Far more money has been lost by investors preparing for corrections, or trying to anticipate corrections, than has been lost in corrections themselves.”  – Peter Lynch, former Portfolio Manager, Fidelity Investments As we continue what many refer to as the longest bull market in U.S. history, the odds some economists place on a recession within…

If you attended undergraduate, graduate, or professional school this year, you may be eligible for a tax break. Tax credits and tax deductions may help you pay less income tax, according to the IRS. Tax credits are subtracted directly from the amount you owe in taxes on a dollar-for-dollar basis, while tax deductions reduce your…

We practice drills for all types of disasters to help mitigate risk, reduce causalities, and provide peace of mind. Why not have a financial “fire drill”? Understanding what you will do if you’re faced with financial distress can help protect you from making harmful, hasty decisions, and give you confidence through challenging times.  When you begin planning your financial “fire drill”, make sure to include all family members. What happens if…