I’m writing this blog on the first day of Spring, thinking about how different our lives are now from a year ago. I’m painfully aware that many Americans are still struggling due to COVID and our thoughts and prayers go to those folks. At the same time there is some reason to be optimistic as […]
In honor of women’s history month, we acknowledge the many achievements and contributions women have made throughout the years, but we also recognize the unique challenges they face. From a financial perspective, women are faced with certain realities that shape how they think of their future stability. Understanding what obstacles may lie ahead can help […]
Many folks took advantage of the fact that required minimum distributions (RMDs) from qualified accounts were suspended in 2020 due to the CARES Act. Some people stopped their distribution ahead of time, while others received their distribution and then decided to roll the money back in if they did not need it. With tax season […]
When my clients ask me for my 2021 Market Outlook, I gently laugh and say, “Well, let’s hope it is more accurate than last year’s.” On January 6, 2020 I noted that the upcoming year would likely be a “decent one” for the US economy. At the time, that statement seemed like a pretty safe […]
One of the shining spots in the US economy right now is the housing market. Between seeing it firsthand in my own neighborhood and hearing the experiences of clients buying and selling homes, the housing market appears to be as hot as it was in 2006-2007. “For Sale” signs are popping up one week, and […]
Clients often ask me what one can do to best prepare for buying a house, especially for the first time. If you are considering making such a purchase, there are some things you can do to ensure you are best positioned to act when opportunity strikes. Review and Improve Your Credit Score Having a strong […]
Before we get to why I believe that we should finally put an end to the outdated and unnecessary Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) rule, it is important to see how we got here. In 1986, as the popularity of the use of IRAs, 401(k)s and rollover IRAs grew, Congress began to become worried that these […]
Last week Brown University announced they would be offering an early retirement package to some of their staff. Dubbed the “Staff Voluntary Retirement Program”, Brown is clearly hoping to reduce payroll during a challenging time due to COVID. Brown University is the #8 employer in the state, so this could potentially affect a lot of […]
So what gives with the markets? Let’s use the S&P 500. It was down 33.9% from its 2020 high on February 19th to its low on March 23rd (shortest bear market on record). It then rebounded 31.9% until April 29th (a dizzying bounce) and has remained essentially flat ever since. Unfortunately, the S&P 500 is […]
I get this question a lot from friends and clients: “Should I refinance my mortgage?” The answer is not always so simple. In fact, many of us thought the days of refinancing were almost over (well…not literally) because s…
