Alternative Investments – Going Mainstream Recent years have witnessed the mainstreaming of alternative investments for certain accredited investors. In fact, alternative investments are expected to grow $8 trillion between 2022 and 2028.1,2 The impetus behind this projected growth is the belief that alternative investments offer the potential to enhance the […]

How the SECURE Act 2.0 Changed RMDs In the final days of 2022, Congress passed the SECURE Act 2.0, a new set of rules designed to help investors who wanted to contribute to retirement plans. Many of these changes were intended to give investors more flexibility and new ways to […]

Understanding Qualified Charitable Distributions As you build your legacy, considering how to leverage your charitable contributions can be a fulfilling endeavor. Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) can offer an opportunity to support your favorite causes and manage your retirement income. Here are some factors to consider with QCDs and how they’ve […]

Being a Financial Planner, I love a good strategy. The more clearly defined steps and outcomes, the better. A plan organizes and simplifies. And that’s a big help in life, because life does not always follow a defined path – a fact that was made abundantly clear to me last […]

Should you Borrow from your 401(k)? The average household with revolving credit card debt had a balance of $21,083 as of March 2024. With the average credit card annual percentage rate sitting at 27.65%, it represents an expensive way to fund spending.1,2  Which leads many individuals to ask, “Does it make […]

A Decision Not Made Is Still a Decision Whether through inertia or trepidation, investors who put off important investment decisions might consider the admonition offered by motivational speaker Brian Tracy, “Almost any decision is better than no decision at all.” This investment inaction is played out in many ways, often […]

A Brief History of Estate Taxes Federal estate taxes have been a source of funding for the federal government almost since the U.S. was founded. In 1797, Congress instituted a system of federal stamps that were required on all wills offered for probate when property (land, homes) was transferred from […]

TIPS for Inflation In February 2018, Jerome Powell was appointed as Chair of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. He became the 16th chair to take over the helm of the world’s most influential central bank. Among other duties, he and the Fed governors are tasked with […]

Understanding Money Market Funds A money market fund, not to be confused with a money market account, is a type of mutual fund that invests in instruments like cash equivalents and short-term debt-based securities, which can also include U.S. Treasury Bonds.1 Safety FirstThese funds are designed to be easily accessible […]

Building a Solid Financial Foundation When you read about money matters, you may see the phrase, “getting your financial house in order.” What exactly does that mean? To some, when your financial “house is in order,” it means it is built on a solid foundation. It means that you have […]