Q1 2022 Passionate Investor
Q4 2021 Market Review and Commentary Market Review* Equity markets generally outperformed fixed-incom e markets with the S&P 500 falling 4.60% (including dividends) and the Barclay’s Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond index falling 5.93%. Small caps underperformed large cap stocks (S&P 500) as the Russell 2000 small cap stock index returned -7.53%. Value outperformed Growth during […]
Continue reading ›Retirement Planning: Our Best Tips for Finding Your “Forever” Home
Retirement Planning: Our Best Tips for Finding Your “Forever” Home What comes to mind when you hear the term retirement planning? Probably determining how you will pay for your final decades on the planet. What is not often discussed is where you’re going to live those decades out. But this is arguably almost as important […]
Continue reading ›Financial Planning Rules of Thumb: Do These Old Guidelines Actually Work?
Financial Planning Rules of Thumb: Do These Old Guidelines Actually Work? The money world is full of financial planning “rules of thumb” that are supposed to make retirement planning easier. You’ve probably heard of some of these: The 4% Rule for withdrawing from your retirement nest egg The 60/40 Rule for splitting investments between stocks […]
Continue reading ›What Should You Look for in a Financial Advisor?
What Should You Look for in a Financial Advisor? If you’re serious about securing your financial future, you are likely considering the help of a financial advisor (or are already working with one). Without that critical relationship, it’s too easy to make mistakes or ignore a blind spot that can derail your plans. There’s simply too much at stake to go it alone. But here’s the key: it has to be the right financial […]
Continue reading ›Financial Planning Opportunities to Prioritize When Changing Jobs
Financial Planning Opportunities to Prioritize When Changing Jobs They call it the Great Resignation. With more jobs available than Americans looking to fill them, recent months have presented a unique opportunity for those interested in finding something better. But along with a chance to upgrade your career, changing jobs can also present other financial opportunities. Because it is a busy time, it can be easy to miss those, which can mean a […]
Continue reading ›Mutual Funds, ETFs or Stocks?
Are Mutual Funds Always a Better Choice Than Individual Stocks? Over the past few decades, mutual funds, along with their newer cousin, exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), have ballooned in popularity. These financial tools provide convenience: you can diversify your investments in one fell swoop, so you are less subject to loss if any one company fails. Mutual funds can also help you buy an entire index or industry […]
Continue reading ›Understanding Medicare
Understanding Medicare Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people who are 65 or older, certain younger people with disabilities, and people with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant, sometimes called ESRD). With Medicare, you have options in how you get your coverage. Once you enroll, you’ll need to […]
Continue reading ›Health Savings Account
About Health Savings Accounts Have you ever considered the potential benefits of contributing to a Health Savings Account (HSA)? Here is your guide! A Health savings account is medical savings account with tax advantages for high deductible health plans. Did you know half of older Americans said they don’t know how they will pay […]
Continue reading ›Understanding the Differences between a Roth IRA and Traditional IRA
Understanding the Differences between a Roth IRA and Traditional IRA If you are considering a Roth IRA or Traditional IRA for retirement savings, it’s important to understand the differences and eligibility limitations for each. The biggest distinction between a Roth IRA and a traditional IRA is how and when you get a tax break. Contributions […]
Continue reading ›Ideas to Keep Children Busy During Quarantine
Ideas to Keep Children Busy During Quarantine Like many parents, you may be stuck at home with your children during a national emergency for an unknown amount of time. You can’t do your go-to activities such as go to the movies, play dates with friends, go out to eat, or visit their favorite park. So, […]
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