Being Mortal, by Atul Gawande, MD Reviewed by David Strother, CFP, AIF, AIFA One powerful message at the heart of this thoughtful book is simple, and seemingly obvious: each of us is mortal, and no matter how heroically our doctors work to prolong our lives, those efforts will eventually fail. If we live long enough… Read More

Pursuing your retirement dreams is challenging enough without making some common, and very avoidable, mistakes. Here are eight big mistakes to steer clear of, if possible. 1. No Strategy: Yes, the biggest mistake is having no strategy at all. Without a strategy, you may have no goals, leaving you no way of knowing how you’ll… Read More

The upcoming election is prompting some people to reconsider their investment strategy. In fact, 45% of consumers with $100,000 or more investable assets expect to make changes to their portfolio due to the upcoming 2020 presidential election.1 But if history is any guide, patience may be the answer. For the past 12 presidential elections, the… Read More

Once you’ve decided to have a comprehensive financial plan created, it’s a good idea to narrow down your choices to two or three providers. Then you should arrange to have an initial meeting with each finalist to determine whether there’s a good fit between you and the advisor. In fact, many financial planning firms want… Read More

The amount of money you have set aside for retirement can make you feel either secure and happy, or nervous and fearful — or more likely, a shifting mix of these and other emotions. For some people, their emotional relationship with their money is so powerful and complex that they’re unsure what their best path… Read More

When it comes to how you behave around money, and specifically your financial behaviors around investing money, instinct is not always a good guide — in fact, it often drives one to take exactly the wrong action. Working with a financial advisor is a great way to counteract this tendency, because they can help you… Read More

As we all continue to find our way during this very unique time in history, our team has been searching for ways to assist you in navigating through these difficult times from a financial viewpoint. We are all adjusting to life in this “new world,” and we have no doubts that we will all be… Read More

In the current market environment, we consider whether it is the right time for a Roth conversion.

Every financial planning client is unique, with their own financial needs, resources, and concerns. That being said, there are fundamental strategies for smart financial planning and, conversely, common mistakes to avoid. In this chapter, we’ll share some thoughts about some of the most common financial mistakes people make. 1. Lack of asset diversification Many people… Read More

The coronavirus pandemic has affected virtually every facet of American life and severely impacted the markets and economy. Congress and the federal government have acted to help individuals and businesses get through this difficult time. Most recently, President Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) Act on March 27, 2020. The… Read More