Intelligent Investing Blog - page 3

Economic Update - June, 2022

Economic Update - June, 2022

The purpose of this update is to identify any macro level red flags for a potential recession in the near term. 

Category: Investing

Economic Update - March, 2022

Economic Update - March, 2022

The purpose of this update is to identify any macro level red flags for a potential recession in the near term. 

Category: Investing

Economic Update - January, 2022

Economic Update - January, 2022

The purpose of this update is to identify any macro level red flags for a potential recession in the near term. 

Category: Investing

Economic Update - November, 2021

Economic Update - November, 2021

It has been a while since the last economic update.  The purpose of this update is to identify any macro level red flags for a potential recession in the near term.  The past 18 months has been unprecedented that started with a manmade recession created to combat the COVID-19 .  It simultaneously put an end to the last market cycle and created a new on in a very short time frame.  The end result will most likely be a shorter than normal market cycle, so these updates will become more important now so we can proactively approach your investment strategies.

Category: Investing

Economic Update - October, 2021

Economic Update - October, 2021

It has been a while since the last economic update.  The purpose of this update is to identify any macro level red flags for a potential recession in the near term.  The past 18 months has been unprecedented that started with a manmade recession created to combat the COVID-19 .  It simultaneously put an end to the last market cycle and created a new on in a very short time frame.  The end result will most likely be a shorter than normal market cycle, so these updates will become more important now so we can proactively approach your investment strategies.

Category: Investing

Economic Update - April, 2020

Economic Update - April, 2020

A lot has changed in the past 6 weeks, since my last economic update newsletter.  As a result of the COVID-19 driven global economic shutdown, we are now in the correction quadrant of the economic market cycle (better known as a recession).

Category: Investing

Worried About the Stock Market?  I can Help!

Worried About the Stock Market? I can Help!

With the stock market to volatile, there has never been a better time to reexamine your risk tolerance to investing.

Category: Investing

Economic Update - February, 2020

Economic Update - February, 2020

I am from the mindset that we should invest having a long-term and goal oriented approach. Daily news reports should not dictate how our money is invested. With that in mind we should always have an eye on what the economy is doing on a macro level. Since 1955, the U.S. has experienced nine recessions. My goal with this report is to help identify the next recession so that we can make adjustments to your investment strategy accordingly.

Category: Investing

Economic Update - January, 2020

Economic Update - January, 2020

I am from the mindset that we should invest having a long-term and goal oriented approach. Daily news reports should not dictate how our money is invested. With that in mind we should always have an eye on what the economy is doing on a macro level. Since 1955, the U.S. has experienced nine recessions. My goal with this report is to help identify the next recession so that we can make adjustments to your investment strategy accordingly.

Category: Investing

Economic Update - November, 2019

Economic Update - November, 2019

I am from the mindset that we should invest having a long-term and goal oriented approach. Daily news reports should not dictate how our money is invested. With that in mind we should always have an eye on what the economy is doing on a macro level. Since 1955, the U.S. has experienced nine recessions. My goal with this report is to help identify the next recession so that we can make adjustments to your investment strategy accordingly.

Category: Investing

Economic Update - August, 2019

Economic Update - August, 2019

I am from the mindset that we should invest having a long-term and goal oriented approach. Daily news reports should not dictate how our money is invested. With that in mind we should always have an eye on what the economy is doing on a macro level. Since 1955, the U.S. has experienced nine recessions. My goal with this report is to help identify the next recession so that we can make adjustments to your investment strategy accordingly.

Category: Investing

IRA and Retirement Plan Changes are Coming

IRA and Retirement Plan Changes are Coming

While most of the media is reporting on the Mueller report and potential impeachment proceedings, Congress is currently working on some major changes to company retirement plans and IRA accounts.

Category: Investing

Economic Update - February, 2019

Economic Update - February, 2019

I am from the mindset that we should invest having a long-term and goal oriented approach. Daily news reports should not dictate how our money is invested. With that in mind we should always have an eye on what the economy is doing on a macro level. Since 1955, the U.S. has experienced nine recessions. My goal with this report is to help identify the next recession so that we can make adjustments to your investment strategy accordingly.

Category: Investing

Economic Update - January, 2019

Economic Update - January, 2019

I am from the mindset that we should invest having a long-term and goal oriented approach. Daily news reports should not dictate how our money is invested. With that in mind we should always have an eye on what the economy is doing on a macro level. Since 1955, the U.S. has experienced nine recessions. My goal with this report is to help identify the next recession so that we can make adjustments to your investment strategy accordingly.

Category: Investing

Economic Update - November, 2018

Economic Update - November, 2018

I am from the mindset that we should invest having a long-term and goal oriented approach. Daily news reports should not dictate how our money is invested. With that in mind we should always have an eye on what the economy is doing on a macro level. Since 1955, the U.S. has experienced nine recessions. My goal with this report is to help identify the next recession so that we can make adjustments to your investment strategy accordingly.

Category: Investing

Is the Volatility in 2018 Normal?

Is the Volatility in 2018 Normal?

It is October 26, 2018 and there have been 208 days the stock market has been open in 2018.  The past few weeks feel like whirlwind.  I have been fielding a lot of questions and one of the more popular ones is, “Is this normal?”  That is usually followed up with, “What do I do?”.  I’ll do my best to help answer both questions.

Category: Investing

Economic Update - October, 2018

Economic Update - October, 2018

I am from the mindset that we should invest having a long-term and goal oriented approach. Daily news reports should not dictate how our money is invested. With that in mind we should always have an eye on what the economy is doing on a macro level. Since 1955, the U.S. has experienced nine recessions. My goal with this report is to help identify the next recession so that we can make adjustments to your investment strategy accordingly.

Category: Investing

Economic Update - September, 2018

Economic Update - September, 2018

I am from the mindset that we should invest having a long-term and goal oriented approach. Daily news reports should not dictate how our money is invested. With that in mind we should always have an eye on what the economy is doing on a macro level. Since 1955, the U.S. has experienced nine recessions. My goal with this report is to help identify the next recession so that we can make adjustments to your investment strategy accordingly.

Category: Investing

Economic Update - August, 2018

Economic Update - August, 2018

am from the mindset that we should invest having a long-term and goal oriented approach. Daily news reports should not dictate how our money is invested. With that in mind we should always have an eye on what the economy is doing on a macro level. Since 1955, the U.S. has experienced nine recessions. My goal with this report is to help identify the next recession so that we can make adjustments to your investment strategy accordingly.

Category: Investing

Economic Update - July, 2018

Economic Update - July, 2018

am from the mindset that we should invest having a long-term and goal oriented approach. Daily news reports should not dictate how our money is invested. With that in mind we should always have an eye on what the economy is doing on a macro level. Since 1955, the U.S. has experienced nine recessions. My goal with this report is to help identify the next recession so that we can make adjustments to your investment strategy accordingly.

Category: Investing

Economic Update - June, 2018

Economic Update - June, 2018

am from the mindset that we should invest having a long-term and goal oriented approach. Daily news reports should not dictate how our money is invested. With that in mind we should always have an eye on what the economy is doing on a macro level. Since 1955, the U.S. has experienced nine recessions. My goal with this report is to help identify the next recession so that we can make adjustments to your investment strategy accordingly.

Category: Investing

Economic Update - May, 2018

Economic Update - May, 2018

am from the mindset that we should invest having a long-term and goal oriented approach. Daily news reports should not dictate how our money is invested. With that in mind we should always have an eye on what the economy is doing on a macro level. Since 1955, the U.S. has experienced nine recessions. My goal with this report is to help identify the next recession so that we can make adjustments to your investment strategy accordingly.

Category: Investing

2018 Tax Changes Cheat Sheet

2018 Tax Changes Cheat Sheet

Now that your 2017 taxes have been filed (for most of us!), let’s dig in to see what 2018 has in store.  The new Tax Cuts and Jobs Act went into effect December 31, 2017.  Let’s look at the key changes (good and bad) and how we should tax plan.

Category: Investing

Volatility is Normal, 2017 Was Not

Volatility is Normal, 2017 Was Not

It is February 8, 2018 and there have been 27 days the stock market has been open in 2018. This week feels like whirlwind. There have been 2 days (including today) where the S&P 500 (an index that tracks the largest 500 U.S. based companies) dropped over 3.50% in one day. I have been fielding a lot of questions and one of the more popular ones is, “Is this normal?” That is usually followed up with, “What do I do?”. I’ll do my best to help answer both questions.

Category: Investing

- Calculate How the New 2018 Tax Bill Will Impact You -

- Calculate How the New 2018 Tax Bill Will Impact You -

I have developed a quick questionnaire to help determine how much you may save under the new 2018 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.  You will need your most recent Form 1040 Income Tax return to fill it out.  Don't worry, I will not ask for any sensitive information.

Category: Investing

529 Plans Extend to K-12

529 Plans Extend to K-12

The newly passed Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is not only for Corporate and Personal taxes. It also contains language that expands the use of 529 plans.

Category: Investing

Three Ways to Invest Your Cash

Three Ways to Invest Your Cash

One of the most frequent questions I get is how should I invest my cash or savings.  Money outside of your retirement plans.  Most people will throw all their savings into a zero-interest bearing account and never look back.

Category: Investing

Trump's Yuge Tax Plan - 5 Takeaways

Trump's Yuge Tax Plan - 5 Takeaways

A couple weeks ago President Trump gave a speech where he outlined his new tax plan.  The key points are detailed below.  I apologize ahead of time for any over the top tax jargon, but I promise to do my best to keep it simple!

Category: Tax

The Federal Reserve Announcement - What Does It All Mean?

The Federal Reserve Announcement - What Does It All Mean?

One of the most frequent questions I get is some variation of “The federal reserve is making an announcement, so what does that mean for my portfolio?” It just so happens the federal reserve made an announcement today, so let’s try to break it down.

Category: Financial planning

Tax Efficient Investing

Tax Efficient Investing

One of the most overlooked elements in creating an investment portfolio is the tax efficiency. If it is set up incorrectly it can cost you significant growth and make it more difficult to reach your end goals.

Category: Tax

5 Habits to Financial Success

5 Habits to Financial Success

During my career, I have had the opportunity to work with people from all aspects of life. What I learned very quickly is that financial success is defined differently for everyone. I also found out that there are common habits amongst people who achieve their unique vision of financial success.

Category: Financial planning

Three Ways To Calculate Your Return on Life

Three Ways To Calculate Your Return on Life

A fear most of us all share is the possibility of running out of money.  That concern is valid and to help address it, I spend a lot of time proactively reviewing investment performance and financial plans.  The problem with addressing that singular fear is we can overlook a more important concept.

Category: Financial planning

Trumpcare Update - 3 Tax Changes

Trumpcare Update - 3 Tax Changes

Another week and another update to the Better Care Act (BCRA) or as known to most Trumpcare.  Here are the most up to date tax impacts (most likely to change 100 more times before this thing goes for a vote):

Category: Investing

Trumpcare - 2 Yuge Tax Implications

Trumpcare - 2 Yuge Tax Implications

As always, this is not an opinion piece.  For my full stance on the Better Care Act (BCRA) you'll have to wait for my exclusive Rachel Maddow interview airing soon.  This is about the tax implications if the current Act is passed through the senate.

Category: Investing

Paris Climate Agreement - Some Good News

Paris Climate Agreement - Some Good News

This is not an opinion piece or to discuss the morality of the U.S. exit from the current Paris Climate Agreement.  There is plenty of that already out there!  It is to discuss what really drives our economy and the prospects of our world.

Category: Investing

Four Ways to Measure Trust With Your Financial Advisor.

Four Ways to Measure Trust With Your Financial Advisor.

Thanks to Al Gore and the invention of the internet I've pulled up a quote from William Shakespeare...

Category: Financial planning

How Does Your Financial Advisor Get Paid?

How Does Your Financial Advisor Get Paid?

The last time you were in a doctor’s office did you ask or wonder how much they get paid? You were probably just thinking about how they can make you feel better. When it comes to important things in our lives the cost is secondary...

Category: Industry tips

Is an 8% Return Good? Three Ways to Find Out.

Is an 8% Return Good? Three Ways to Find Out.

Is scoring 120 points in a basketball game good? Not if the other team scores 150. Is getting a 75% on a math test good? Yes, if every other student in the class scored under 75% and it is graded on a curve...

Category: Investing