On Sept. 18, 2024, the Federal Reserve Bank (the Fed) reduced the target federal funds rate by half a percentage point to a range of 4.75 to 5 percent, marking the first rate cut since the start of the pandemic in March of 2020. The move, which follows 11 consecutive rate hikes between March 2022 […]
A Roth IRA is a unique retirement savings vehicle that allows eligible individuals to set aside money today for a potentially tax-free income stream in the future. Like a traditional IRA, a Roth arrangement allows individuals to make annual contributions of up to $7,000 in 2024, or $8,000 for savers age 50 and older. However, […]
If you think the only form of cheating in a marriage happens in the bedroom, you would be wrong. A growing number of marriages suffer the damaging effects of financial infidelity in which one spouse intentionally lies about or hides assets or other financial information from the other spouse. Both are examples of betrayals that […]
Gone are the days when large, institutional banks and wirehouses were the only ones with pockets deep enough to arm financial advisors with the tools needed to attract and retain wealthy clients. Today, independent brokers/dealers and registered investment advisories associated with independent wealth management firms have access to a wide array of customizable strategies and […]
Bonds are an important component of diversified portfolios because they offer investors predictable returns and reliable cash flow without the volatility of the public equity markets. However, this is not to say that bonds are not subject to risks. They are, especially in times of rising interest rates. The good news is you can mitigate […]
Ever since the creation of the first investable index fund in 1975, investors have debated whether it is better to invest in actively or passively managed investments. Is one superior to the other? Not necessarily. Should you utilize one over the other? Probably not. With passively managed investments, your money is automatically put into securities […]
While investors welcome market gains, they should not overlook the substantial tax liabilities their positive-performing investments may incur when it comes time to sell. Generally, investors are subject to capital gains tax as high as 37 percent when they sell non-retirement investments, real estate or other appreciating assets. However, it is possible for investors to […]
It is no secret that taxes can take a big bite out of investment returns. Consequently, it is essential to thoroughly analyze the short- and long-term tax implications of your investment decisions with an eye toward achieving tax alpha, or the added value that comes from implementing strategies that effectively reduce tax burdens on portfolio […]
A financial plan is a written document that lays out your future financial, business and lifestyle goals and maps out comprehensive strategies for achieving them. Contrary to popular belief, financial planning is not just for the wealthy. Instead, it is a critical planning tool that can help individuals at all income levels make informed financial […]
The once idealized picture-perfect family of two parents and two-and-a-half children has faded as a growing number of married couples choose to live child-free. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of married couples without children has doubled over the past 45 years and is expected to continue on an upward trend. Despite the absence […]