This summer, I have taken up competitive swimming (for folks over age 50). As a rookie, I never realized how many components are involved in a gold-medal performance. For example, Olympic swimmers have excellent stroke technique, strength, endurance; as well as, great...
Current Events
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...
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...
Here’s a Merry Approach to Mortality
he holidays (normally) conjure warm images of large family gathering with dinners, gift exchanges, and merriment. The holidays are different this year. As the COVID pandemic is filling ICUs across the country, our mortality has entered the national conversation. With...
Stay Calm and Prepare for Another Wave of Pandemic Panic
Election Day is over. The sun rose the following morning. The stock market did not crash. So our attention has turned back to the pandemic. A second wave of the virus is surging across the nation. To wit, I was hospitalized (non-COVID) in June at the University of...
Hang in There, Things Will Get Better
Several weeks ago, I (virtually) attended the Vanguard Advisor Symposium. Sidebar: One of the unexpected silver linings to the COVID pandemic has been access to great meetings without the hassle and expense of air travel and hotels. The event kicked off with a...
How Will the Presidential Election Impact My Financial Plan?
Consider these election headlines: “Should you hoard cash before the election?" "This election could help make or break your retirement." "The nastiest election of our lifetime." "A Trump win will tank the market.” Were these headlines published last week? No, they...
5 Tips to Prepare for Market Turbulence
Many investors are switching their concerns from the coronavirus to the stock market. If the resurgent virus forces a new economic shutdown, and if everyone is forced to stay-at-home again, will the stock market take another 30% hit? Of course, the bottom line is: “No...
Use the Pandemic as a Test Drive for Retirement
Unless you are an essential worker, you have probably spent most of the last three months sheltering in place at home during the COVID pandemic. If you are a sales or client service worker, or consultant, or computer-based worker, or the like, it was probably fairly...