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Before we get to why I believe that we should finally put an end to the outdated and unnecessary Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) rule, it is important to see how we got here.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…
During these unprecedented times, many clients are wondering if their goals have been derailed and if so, what it will take to get them back on track. There is no doubt that things have changed, and as a result many of us will need to adjust accordingly. But just how much do you need to […]
In hindsight, it appears surprisingly easy to shut down an economy – we just did it in a few short weeks. I suspect it is much harder to open an economy back up again. What inspired so many Americans to shelter in place was a combination of worry for their own personal health and an […]
The relief bill known as the CARES Act was signed into law on Friday, March 27, 2020. It is designed to serve as a bridge between the time the US economy decelerates in response to Covid-19 and the time the economy is back up and running. Provisions of the CARES Act support a wide range […]
