Blog
What Drives Long-Term National Debt Growth?
With the current 106% debt-to-GDP ratio, there’s no doubt that today’s government debt is high. The last time the United States reached this mark, it was during the aftermath of WWII in the late 1940s. But despite nearly historic debt levels, it does not seem that the...
Fed Rate Hikes Don’t Have to Translate to Bond Losses
In Periods of Rising Rates, Higher Income Can Help Keep Returns Positive As the Fed continues on a path of gradually raising interest rates, many investors are moving to cash, short-term bonds and floating-rate securities. But the view that bonds have to suffer losses...
The Impossible Reality of Long-Term Care Planning
Unless you're very rich or very poor, you should be looking into all of the long-term care possibilities out there. Because of the costs and complexity involved, the choice isn't easy. But it is necessary. As a financial planner, I have learned that finding a simple...
Estate planning: How to “death clean” your finances
The most sweeping tax overhaul in three decades will make big changes to how families pay their taxes. The bill lowers tax rates for all income groups, but caps or eliminates many popular deductions. (Dec. 21) AP The phrase “death cleaning” may sound jarring to...
Warren Buffett Shares the Secrets to Wealth in America
I have good news. First, most American children are going to live far better than their parents did. Second, large gains in the living standards of Americans will continue for many generations to come. Some years back, people generally agreed with my optimism. Today,...
What 2018 Tax Reforms Mean for Investors
Key Takeaways Tax reform presents important changes for investors, while also preserving several areas some thought could change. 529s get more useful, while 401(k) plans remain mostly unchanged. Business owners might consider changing their form of business to take...
Bitcoin: Everything You Need to Know
The digital currency bitcoin jumped to a fresh high above $11,000 Wednesday before quickly dropping below $10,000 again. Its outsized gains this year however are sparking curiosity. If you’re curious but confused, here’s a brief explainer. A: It’s a digital form of...
With stocks at record highs, maybe it’s time to give some assets away
Giving away stocks, or other appreciated assets is an especially timely move to consider before year end. With the S&P 500 index up more than 300 percent and the Nasdaq more than 400 percent since the March 2009 low, any money in taxable accounts has likely...