Last week we reached "correction" territory as the stock markets touched losses of 11.7% year-to-date. Stock and bond market losses are stressful. Big declines might trigger one of the following responses: Fight, Flight, or Freeze. I use a different strategy: Rethink. This has led me to three conclusions.
Several years ago I took part in a webinar, Must-Have Tech Solutions for Your Firm!, where I shared information my firm and the technology I use to serve clients. This led me to sketch down the list of programs, apps and tools I’m using every day. Having these tools in my toolbox gives me an advantage in the quality of the recommendations I give to clients.
If I could only track one stock market measure, I would use the CAPE ratio. At the beginning of 2022, the CAPE ratio was roughly 50% above its 20-year average; this does not bode well for future stock market returns.
I’ve been a huge fan of Warren Buffett and his partner, Charlie Munger, for more than 25 years. For obvious reasons, the 2020 Berkshire Hathaway Shareholder meeting was available online. That meant I was able to hear from "Oracle of Omaha" while sitting in my home office. Unfortunately, my excitement was gone soon after the event started.
Soon after the invention of email came the invention of scam emails. Over the years, these emails have progressed way beyond the classic Nigerian Prince scam. Unfortunately, the coronavirus has opened the window to a host of new schemes. I share some tips to help keep your personal information personal.
There is no shortage of coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sadly, I'm finding that most of the coverage is unhelpful finger-pointing and fear-mongering. I thought I'd share several articles that I've found helpful.
In the last several weeks, I’ve received more than a half dozen press requests asking: “How will the coronavirus affect investment portfolios?” Although very few clients have asked me this question directly, I thought I’d share my thoughts on this topic.
Many investors’ image of the stock market resembles an EKG where they believe the market is up, then down, then up, then down, etc. The reality is quite different.
As 2019 ended, President Trump signed into law The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019. After reading many articles on the SECURE Act, I'm really upset about the long-term implications of the biggest change.
It is an excellent time to check your credit report(s) as we ease into 2020. Every year, you are entitled to a free copy of your credit report from each of the three main reporting agencies. Roughly 25% of all credit reports are said to have incorrect information, but making sure your report is accurate is only one of the reasons I’m urging you to take time for this review.
For many years, I taught Retirement Planning classes to adults looking to secure the Certified Financial Planner designation. I don't miss the hard work and the pitiful pay, but I do miss the challenge of teaching complex financial concepts in an understandable and interesting way. I guess that is why I enjoy working with the media.
Nobody likes it when the stock markets decline. This week we see two economic superpowers “saber-rattling” about who will impose the largest tariff. Because threatened or imposed tariffs have real long-term consequences, the global stock markets have declined relatively sharply. I take advantage of these rough times to run “lifeboat drills.”