Evaluating a Volatile Market & Your Investment Portfolio

Join Scott Oeth and market strategists from Vanguard to discuss recent market volatility, the economy, and portfolio returns evaluation, as well as what’s driving markets and where potential investment opportunities lie.

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Tax-Advantaged College Planning with 529 Plans

529 plans have long been a favorite college planning tool, and they have become even more attractive over the past few years due to regulatory changes. Scott Oeth and his wealth strategy team offer a brief overview on financial planning for college and a focused discussion on updated strategies using 529 plans.

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The Stock Market vs. Stocks in the Market

The collapse of First Republic Bank is a harsh reminder that any stock can go to zero, no matter how established a company is, or how loyal and wealthy its customers are. The failure of what many considered to be a rock-solid regional bank should serve as powerful evidence of the importance of diversification, what I consider to be one of the first principles of investing.

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Equity Compensation & Charitable Giving with Donor Advised Funds

Executive equity compensation awards, such as stock options, restricted stock units, and directly held shares of company stock with large embedded taxable positions can be the most tax-advantageous assets to use to meet philanthropic goals. Learn more about charitable giving using executive compensation in an effort to help maximize your charitable donations.

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Always Carry an Umbrella: Q1 2023 Client Letter

The economic and market winds may bring stormy weather in 2023, no one knows for certain what will happen in the future, and that’s why we advise to metaphorically “always carry an umbrella”—even when the market outlook is sunny. Learn more about why expecting bad weather, but knowing good weather will inevitably return, is the outlook of successful investors.

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Real Asset Investing with Cohen & Steers

What assets can we buy to hedge against rising prices? How do we add diversification in portfolios from stock and bond investments? With hybrid work and rising interest rates putting pressure on commercial real estate, what is the outlook for this asset class? How do we add quality real estate exposure?

Michelle Butler, SVP of Cohen & Steers and I discuss these timely topics.

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Margin of Safety: First Eagle's Disciplined Value Investing Approach

Jay Lisowski, CFA, SVP at First Eagle Investments and I discuss First Eagle’s investment approach, including their attempts to deliver diversification from the masses and protect investment value with their “margin of safety” approach. We also covered banking, interest rates, inflation, and geopolitical factors, as well as First Eagle’s unique security selection and portfolio construction techniques, including their core tenant to invest with a margin of safety.

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Money Matters: Healthcare Costs in Retirement

In this month’s edition of “Money Matters,” Scott talks about healthcare costs in retirement, health savings accounts (HSAs), extended care insurance, and other health-related costs that commonly occur in the golden years. He offers financial strategies designed to prepare for such costs, so your retirement savings aren’t hurt by unexpected healthcare costs.

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Reducing Taxes Through Employer Stock and Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA)

As an important tax-management tool, net unrealized appreciation (“NUA”) should not be overlooked by those who want to manage their distributions tax-efficiently. The requirements to qualify for NUA special tax treatment are many and intricate, so it’s important to consult with tax and financial advisors before executing this option.

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The Great Bank Panic of '23

The great bank collapse of ‘23 has generated an avalanche of analysis, forecasts, and finger-pointing, but very little on how we should react and what we should do about it. Here’s a quick recap of the financial factors that led to the bank fall (and how I worked to protect my clients from that fall), how to avoid self-sabotage during times of financial crisis, and action steps to consider to help solidify your financial portfolio.

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Secure 2.0 Act (2023): Financial Planning & Wealth Strategies

Our financial wealth strategy team covers the many new tax law changes and financial planning opportunities in the recent 2023 Secure 2.0 tax bill. Learn more about these changes, as well as how we will evaluate individual financial planning opportunities around this Secure 2.0 bill over the course of the year.

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Family Philanthropy: A Toolkit for Structure & Clarity in Your Family’s Charitable Giving

Similar to baking a cake, taking the shortest route to the office, or packing for vacation, there are strategies and a process to family philanthropic efforts that will help maximize your results. The National Center for Family Philanthropy created a toolkit to help you learn more about these tried and trusted processes and management strategies that can set up your family for success for generations to come.

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Bend, not Break: 2022 Q4 Client Letter

As expected during a broad bear market, portfolio strategies everywhere bent under the strain, but of critical importance, our portfolios and financial plans did not break! Learn about the wealth strategies we used to protect financial portfolios in a bear market.

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Employer Retirement Plans: Exploring In-Service Distributions

Employer retirement plans with in-service distributions can be complex. You may find that an in-service/non-hardship distribution and rollover could provide access to more investment options, risk management strategies, and diversification approaches. Plus, you may gain access to a wider variety of guaranteed retirement income options. Learn more about how to approach your retirement plan and the options available to you.

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