These are very interesting times we are living in, to say the least. The Coronavirus pandemic has upended daily life and economic activity all around the world. It is hard to believe that the Dow Jones Industrial Average was at an all-time high of 29,551 points on Feb. 12, 2020, and now it has sunk to trading below 20,000 points. This is a very fluid situation with COVID-19 beginning to make its impact on the US, as it already has…
The stock market has taken a beating this week with the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) experiencing at least two quadruple digit loss trading days and a possible third today. The DJIA peaked earlier this month at 29,551 points, but is currently trading in the 24,000’s territory. While we are noticing and tracking these market moves, we are not yet concerned. We are still optimistic about investing in the 2020 stock market. Here’s why: The stock market does not behave…
Once you’ve built a budget and started getting some extra monthly cashflow, you’ll want to establish an emergency fund. An emergency fund is exactly what it sounds like—it’s there for emergencies only. As such it should be put away in a savings account, CD, or money market account and forgotten about. The purpose of an emergency fund is to help you in times of unpredictable circumstances such as a job or car loss. If a home repair or car accident…
If you’re a medical student preparing for clinical rotations or residency then you’ll be traveling a lot. Finding the right credit card for your travels can make a difference in hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. Here are the top 6 credit cards I recommend for your travel expenses. For best travel point rewards: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Credit Card https://creditcards.chase.com/rewards-credit-cards/sapphire This card allows you to redeem points for travel expenses such as flights, hotel stays, and rental cars. This is…
Did you know that in addition to being a financial planning firm we also offer tax preparation services? Our clients have benefited tremendously from this because we already know their tax situation and performing their return allows us to plan for taxes even more effectively. Maynard has been doing tax returns since 1994. Daniel just got his licensed tax preparer’s number and is excited about providing this valuable service to our clients. In addition, we made a valuable connection this…
As a financial advisor I’ve seen hundreds of investors ranging from inexperienced to advanced. I’ve seen people lose money and I’ve seen even novice investors make a lot of money because they got lucky. I’ve seen average investors make great gains throughout their earning years only to later make a mistake. Stock market gains seem to be non-discriminatory. Anyone can make money in the markets. Success in investing is shared by both young and old investors, those who read investment…
Sometimes clients tell me they don’t envy what I do—the sitting behind a desk and calculating capital gains taxes, considering the many factors involved in choosing one retirement plan over another, diversifying and rebalancing portfolios as needed. It makes sense that my clients don’t envy what I do—that’s exactly why they hire me. And let’s be honest, sometimes sitting down and setting a budget and tallying up monthly income and expenses can seem tedious and boring. Maybe you avoid budgeting…
You don’t have to be making mega-bucks in order to succeed financially. In fact, there have been many people with large incomes who did not put basic personal finance practices into play and suffered drastic consequences as a result. Many lottery winners, professional athletes, and high-earners have squandered their wealth by failing to adhere to time-tested money management skills. As a result they lost their fortunes and suffered personal losses as well. This phenomenon is not uncommon. When I was…
I was recently asked by our local TV station to give an interview about the current economic outlook in lieu of a recent drop in the Dow Jones Industrial Average stock index. Here was my response: I don’t think there is cause for great concern right now. GDP is still strong, unemployment is low, and retail sales were up 2% in the last quarter. The volatility that we’ve recently experienced is a result of the trade war with China and…
Budgeting will make or break you. Get it on paper and implement it. Budgeting is not only an important aspect of wealth-building, but a vital tool for it. Without a working budget you simply can’t win with money. Clients and friends ask me all the time how they can formulate a cash flow plan that not only works with their long-term goals, but is also attainable in their day-to-day lives. Here are a few key takeaways to help you construct…
