This is the first in a series of postings where the focus will be around investing. We will touch on some of the core building blocks of investing. It may be a reminder for many of you or new to some, but if you find these useful, please share it with others. Whether...
Joe Ottaviano
What do we really know about the financial markets anyway?
Benjamin Graham, the father of value investing, reminds us to "forget about what the stock market is going to do. Instead, focus on what you, as an investor, ought to do…" So what do we really know about the financial markets? First, what we don't know: The full...
Looking Back at 2019’s Financial Markets
What did we learn about the financial markets in 2019? We learned that..... When it seemed the bleakest at the end of December with the S&P 500 Index on the verge of triggering a bear market signal (20% decline from the previous high), the market went on...
Should Bond Investments Be a Part of Your Portfolio?
Wondering if bond investments should be an integral part of your portfolio? Below are some common questions regarding investing in bonds. What are bonds? Bonds are simply IOUs. By buying a bond, you are in effect, making a loan. In return, the borrower (or issuer)...
Special Tax Provision only for Age 70 and Above!
Give Directly From Your IRA to Your Favorite Charity Background: In the year that a taxpayer reaches age 70-1/2, the IRS requires minimum distributions (RMD) to begin. If you do not need all of the RMD for living expenses, there is a provision which allows...
Doing Good GIVES You a Tax Break! Part 3
Doing Good GIVES You a Tax Break is a three-part series. Learn how being charitable can improve your tax situation in retirement! Watch Part 3 on Donor Advised Funds below. If you haven't already, watch part 1 on Qualified Charitable Distributions here. To...
Doing Good GIVES You a Tax Break! Part 2
Doing Good GIVES You a Tax Break is a three-part series. Watch Part 2 on Bunching below. If you haven't already, watch part 1 on Qualified Charitable Distributions here. You can also check out our recent blog about Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) for background...
Doing Good GIVES You a Tax Break! Part 1
Learn how being charitable can improve your tax situation in retirement! Doing Good GIVES You a Tax Break is a three-part series. Watch Part 1 on Qualified Charitable Distributions below. You can also check out our recent blog about Required Minimum Distributions...
THE INTEREST RATE DILEMMA
Interest rates are an important part of everyone’s lives! Following the 2008 financial crisis, the Federal Reserve (“the Fed”) began to gradually increase key interest rates in December 2015 from a record low of near zero. The expectation is that the Fed will...
7 Things You Might Want to Know about the New Tax Law
Everyone is talking about the new tax rules for 2018. It’s always a good idea to plan ahead and be prepared where finances are concerned. That’s why we put together a few little-known facts that could benefit you when it’s time to file 2018 taxes. The taxable income...