Charitable Remainder Trusts: Deduct, Diversify, and Distribute to Family and Cherished Causes!
Scott and Christy Boysen of Apex Legacy Consultants discuss charitable giving strategies and techniques, including charitable remainder trusts.
Read MoreLessons from Failure: Long Term Capital Management
In a recent client letter, Scott explains the importance of portfolio diversification and why it’s important to resist the urge to jump on the newest and hottest company stock without first evaluating your entire financial portfolio and financial goals.
Read MoreMoney Matters: Year-end Portfolio Review Tips
In this month’s edition of “Money Matters,” Scott discusses making a habit of analyzing your portfolio and rebalancing it as needed to help keep investors on track to meeting their financial goals, as well as investment options to consider when rebalancing a portfolio.
Read MoreTax-Sheltered Wealth Building with Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plans (EDCP/NQDC)
Non-qualified deferred compensations plans (“EDCP/NQDC”) are benefits plans made available on a selective basis to certain executives and key personnel. Small business owners may also find great benefit in adopting NQDC plans. These plans can allow for tax-sheltered wealth building far in excess of standard 401k/403b plan limits, but they are not without certain drawbacks and limitations.
Read MoreMoney Matters: Volatile Stock Market Investing
In this month’s edition of “Money Matters,” Scott discusses the volatility of the stock market, which factors are causing these stock market ups and downs, including the “September Effect,” higher interest rates, and the “Magnificent Seven” stocks, and how investors can stay disciplined in their investment strategy.
Read MoreThoughts on Intelligence: Q2 2023 Client Letter
Scott discusses 2023’s upward stock market run to date, wealth planning strategies that everyone should know, and the effect of intelligence—both traditional and artificial—on financial portfolio success.
Read MoreMoney Matters: ROTH IRAs & Tax-free Wealth Strategies
In this month’s edition of “Money Matters,” Scott discusses tax-free strategies and ROTH IRAs to help maximize your financial portfolio.
Read MoreEvaluating a Volatile Market & Your Investment Portfolio
Join Scott Oeth and market strategists from Vanguard to discuss recent market volatility, the economy, and portfolio returns evaluation, as well as what’s driving markets and where potential investment opportunities lie.
Read MoreMoney Matters: Financial Independence
In this month’s edition of “Money Matters,” Scott defines financial independence and discusses steps people can take to achieve and maintain financial independence.
Read MoreTax-Advantaged College Planning with 529 Plans
529 plans have long been a favorite college planning tool, and they have become even more attractive over the past few years due to regulatory changes. Scott Oeth and his wealth strategy team offer a brief overview on financial planning for college and a focused discussion on updated strategies using 529 plans.
Read MoreMoney Matters: Sequence of Return Risk
In this month’s edition of “Money Matters,” Scott explains sequence of return risk and why it is critical to include in your retirement financial planning process.
Read MoreThe Stock Market vs. Stocks in the Market
The collapse of First Republic Bank is a harsh reminder that any stock can go to zero, no matter how established a company is, or how loyal and wealthy its customers are. The failure of what many considered to be a rock-solid regional bank should serve as powerful evidence of the importance of diversification, what I consider to be one of the first principles of investing.
Read MoreEquity Compensation & Charitable Giving with Donor Advised Funds
Executive equity compensation awards, such as stock options, restricted stock units, and directly held shares of company stock with large embedded taxable positions can be the most tax-advantageous assets to use to meet philanthropic goals. Learn more about charitable giving using executive compensation in an effort to help maximize your charitable donations.
Read MoreAlways Carry an Umbrella: Q1 2023 Client Letter
The economic and market winds may bring stormy weather in 2023, no one knows for certain what will happen in the future, and that’s why we advise to metaphorically “always carry an umbrella”—even when the market outlook is sunny. Learn more about why expecting bad weather, but knowing good weather will inevitably return, is the outlook of successful investors.
Read MoreMoney Matters: College Financial Planning Decisions
In this month’s edition of “Money Matters,” Scott talks about the college financial planning process, including deciding whether college is the right choice, setting financial boundaries for students, and 529 college savings plans.
Read MoreReal Asset Investing with Cohen & Steers
What assets can we buy to hedge against rising prices? How do we add diversification in portfolios from stock and bond investments? With hybrid work and rising interest rates putting pressure on commercial real estate, what is the outlook for this asset class? How do we add quality real estate exposure?
Michelle Butler, SVP of Cohen & Steers and I discuss these timely topics.
Read MoreMargin of Safety: First Eagle's Disciplined Value Investing Approach
Jay Lisowski, CFA, SVP at First Eagle Investments and I discuss First Eagle’s investment approach, including their attempts to deliver diversification from the masses and protect investment value with their “margin of safety” approach. We also covered banking, interest rates, inflation, and geopolitical factors, as well as First Eagle’s unique security selection and portfolio construction techniques, including their core tenant to invest with a margin of safety.
Read MoreMoney Matters: Healthcare Costs in Retirement
In this month’s edition of “Money Matters,” Scott talks about healthcare costs in retirement, health savings accounts (HSAs), extended care insurance, and other health-related costs that commonly occur in the golden years. He offers financial strategies designed to prepare for such costs, so your retirement savings aren’t hurt by unexpected healthcare costs.
Read MoreUsing Health Savings Accounts as a Retirement Vehicle
Many investors who are maximizing contributions under their employer-sponsored 401(k) plans and IRAs are seeking additional options for tax-deferred savings. For some, the solution may be available through the type of employer health care plan they participate in and its associated health savings account (“HSA”).
Read MoreReducing Taxes Through Employer Stock and Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA)
As an important tax-management tool, net unrealized appreciation (“NUA”) should not be overlooked by those who want to manage their distributions tax-efficiently. The requirements to qualify for NUA special tax treatment are many and intricate, so it’s important to consult with tax and financial advisors before executing this option.
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