Much has been written about when the Federal Reserve Open Market Committee will raise interest rates. At its July 28 and 29 meeting, or later? Many want to know, What will a rate increase mean for stocks? If a rate increase is on the horizon, what should an investor do today? How will stocks react? […]
It’s tempting to compare your investment performance with others. In doing so, you may find that some of your friends and family members have had good experiences in working with financial advisors, whereas others have not. Often, those who say they’re unsatisfied with their advisors tend to focus on portfolio returns as a key measure. […]
Likely, the biggest life-changing event you’ll ever face is the death of your spouse. In addition to the deep emotional wounds that such a loss brings, financial matters must be tended to. It may seem harsh to address finances at such a time, but it needs to be done in order to carry on. The […]
Imagine your investment accounts being supervised entirely by automation. Instead of meeting with a financial advisor to review your investment strategy, you sit in front of your computer and answer a few questions about yourself. Then, you link your financial accounts to the system. A bunch of snazzy pie charts and bar charts appear on […]
This failure is significant considering how fast college costs have been increasing of late. According to The Wall Street Journal (“Making 529 Plans Work,” February 11, 2012), college costs soar well above inflation, with state schools raising tuition and fees even faster than private ones. Costs at four-year public institutions jumped 8.3% in 2011-12 to […]
Why is unethical behavior burgeoning on Wall Street lately? What happened to honest prosperity? Can we do anything to avoid becoming the victim of a swindle? The Madoff Era To answer the above questions, I have authored a new paper entitled, “The Madoff Era—Surviving Today’s Collusive Capitalism.” My goal is to help readers better understand […]
Among the financial housekeeping items that are important to review periodically are the beneficiary designations on your retirement plans. Let’s examine the following hypothetical scenario that vividly illustrates why this is so important. $1.4 million IRA A husband had been previously married and had children from that earlier marriage. Before he passed away, he had […]
If you’re not already a client of LB Asset Strategies, Inc., and are considering using an independent wealth manager, here are 5 factors to consider: 1. Your expectations: Be honest about your financial health and your service expectations. Choose a firm that seems poised to satisfy your needs. 2. Your values: Your dreams are real. […]