When is the best time to invest in the stock market? What about now? Are stocks too over-priced? One of the U.S. stock market’s measures of value, price-to-earnings ratio, is running high by historical standards (37 today vs. 17 historically). In other words,...
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A Broken Record
As our children enter adulthood, we hope they remember all the conversations we had about personal finances. Many financial gurus have written about the principles of financial wellness in their how-to books. The five big ones we always return to with our children...
Retirement is a Big Transition, so Plan Accordingly
It is one of life’s biggest transitions, retirement. The pandemic has scrambled the retirement plans of many people, accelerating retirement for some, delaying it for others. In any event, the topic should raise many quantitative and qualitative questions seeking...
Top Ten Summer Vacation Tips
Spring is here, and summer is just around the corner. Here are my favorite tips to help you plan a budget-friendly vacation. Know how much can you afford and set a budget. Put a little back each month into a savings account automatically. Research, research, research....
After a Long Year, There’s More Clarity Ahead For Investors
After a long year, these spring days seem particularly sweet. Unlike 2020, when uncertainty was so widespread, we now see more clearly looking ahead. The recent government checks to consumers, plus the big infrastructure project on the drawing board, could boost the...
Speculating on Hoops and Investments
It’s madness, March Madness! It is always fun to fill in a NCAA basketball tournament bracket, whether for family bragging rights or for the office bracket pool. As the tournament unfolds, most of the basketball powerhouses smash lesser rivals while a few Cinderella...
New Baby in the Family? Here’s Some Financial Advice
In the midst of much trial and tribulation around our country, can I share a personal story on the lighter side of life? I’m a first-time grandpa. This experience is good beyond my imagination – all the joy with none of the responsibilities! Still, as a financial...
Legacy Planning: Designating Your Beneficiaries
According to the Investment Company Institute, total US retirement assets exceed $23 trillion, mostly in employer-sponsored retirement plans and IRAs. How these assets transfer to the next generation is a very important part of the financial planning process....
Should I Buy GameStop Stock?
Hello all! Just when you thought it couldn’t get any wackier!? It did. Several weeks ago, my son asked me if I had seen what was happening with GameStop, AMC and Blackberry stocks. My honest reply was, “No, but are those companies still in business?” In “short,”...
Expect the Unexpected for the 2021 Stock Market, and Plan Accordingly
Last year was a paradox: The second quarter was the worst GDP performance on record. However, November was one of the best months for the stock market on record, led by long-lagging small caps and value stocks. The Russell 2000 Index (small company stocks) enjoyed the...