"Successful investors are optimistic about the future but are always prepared for short-term setbacks. That mindset is especially valuable in today’s environment, and we hope it provides some peace of mind that we plan for market downturns before they happen. We remain committed to our investment philosophy and are confident that our approach, coupled with flexibility, ongoing risk management, and diligence will provide the highest likelihood of keeping you on track to reach your long-term goals. "
Earlier this month, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for All Urban Consumers had risen 8.5% for the 12-month period ending March 31, 2022. This marked the fourth consecutive month where the annual CPI rate was 7% or more. When it comes to the reality of higher inflation,…
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Florida residents can file for a homestead exemption on their primary residence as a means to reduce property taxes. What is the Florida Homestead Exemption? By filing for the Homestead Exemption, it can result in exempting up to $50,000 of your home’s assessed value from property tax liability. The first $25,000 of the home’s assessed…
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On August 31, 2021, the Social Security Board of Trustees released its annual report, which included the latest projection for the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund. According to the report, if Congress does not act, the fund is projected to become depleted by 2033, a year sooner than the estimate provided in 2020.…
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The annual change in the Consumer Price Index “CPI” exceeded more than 5% for the second month in a row, raising concern that we may be entering an inflationary period. How concerned should investors be? Before we get into that, we should begin with a short primer on what inflation is. Inflation refers to an…
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A question we have been asked repeatedly over the last six months has been: what is the best strategy to get into the market with new money? Invest all of it at once? Or invest in smaller increments over time through dollar-cost averaging? The most important thing to keep in mind is that the decision…
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As we approach the end of the year, it is prudent to review your situation and make sure that you have taken advantage of all that you can from a financial planning standpoint before December 31st, as well as be sure you are positioned well for the year ahead. With that in mind, here are…
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A Roth IRA is perhaps the most tax-friendly asset that an heir can inherit. However, the rules regarding distributions can be somewhat complicated. The Q&A below provides a brief overview of the rules regarding Inherited Roth IRAs. If I inherit a Roth IRA, what are my options? Since the passage of the SECURE Act in…
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As explained in our article on “How to Evaluate a Mortgage Refinance”, the decision to refinance comes down to evaluating the benefit of the interest savings against the costs of the refi. A traditional approach to evaluating this tradeoff is to calculate a payback period, which is defined as the number of months it takes…
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With interest rates at historic lows, many homeowners are considering refinancing their current mortgage. But making the decision to refinance or not can be tricky given the costs involved. Here are some factors to consider when considering a mortgage refinancing (“refi”). Is It Worth It? The decision to refinance comes down to evaluating the benefit…
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With election time now getting closer, we are inundated with opinions and prognostications about not only who will win but what that victory will mean for the markets. When you couple the uncertainties of the election with the other trials facing our country including, but not limited to, high unemployment, the economic and personal consequences…
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