This week I attended a meeting of the local estate analyst community. This group is comprised of some very high-end accountants, attorneys, and advisors, among others, who were being briefed on some of the intricacies of stretching out required minimum distributions from retirement accounts. Toward the end of the presentation it occurred to me that… Read more »
The most common financial fears among adults are unplanned financial emergencies and insufficient retirement savings. These are events that happen to nearly everyone, that can be foreseen and that can be planned for. Unfortunately, many are stuck in a state of fear and avoid making financial decisions. These decisions when left unplanned will result in… Read more »
Our stock in trade is helping our clients to formulate a plan that reflects their goals and interests, while allowing them to enjoy financial independence. Although we continually update our clients’ plans, sometimes it makes sense to question whether the plan we have formulated is really the best plan for you. Typically someone will… Read more »
Few questions are more provocative than asking someone, “What do you really want out of life?” Warren Buffett, jokingly said, when asked the question, that now that he is the world’s richest man, he wants to also be the world’s oldest man! His lighthearted response underscores the sense that most of us are uncomfortable… Read more »
Last Sunday I went to The Ralph (Ralph Wilson Stadium) to witness for myself the reincarnation of a winning team. The Bills were playing the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots, who were led by all-time great quarterback Tom Brady. This was Brady’s first away game after his 4 game “deflategate” suspension was lifted and… Read more »
Everybody has a plan. Whether it is a formal written financial plan, or just a vague plan in your head; everyone has a plan. It is the rare person indeed who recognizes that life also has a plan for them. It is useful to ponder, if just for a few moments, what could result with… Read more »
Chicago mayor and former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel used to counsel “you never let a serious crisis go to waste. And what I mean by that it’s an opportunity to do things you think you could not do before.” Sage advice no doubt, but certain opportunists have taken an odd twist on… Read more »
There are any numbers of people who are pitching ways to get rich. They know that there is no magic to saving regularly and then investing intelligently. So actually leveling with you will not be effective. They need to provide you with a shortcut. Now that has appeal to people. Shortcuts have been used… Read more »
We all seem to have a weakness that we never talk about. We typically get taken advantage of by people who understand this weakness, and exploit our vulnerability. It seems odd that “they” seem to have figured something out that “we” never acknowledge let alone really understand about ourselves. So what is this weakness… Read more »