Financial Advisor | CFP® | Dad | Steelers & Penguins fan | iPhone addict |
By now you’ve probably seen more than a handful of advertisements or solicitations encouraging you to convert your Traditional IRA into a Roth IRA. If you haven’t, take a moment to google Roth conversions and see how many ads and articles appear, extolling this opportunity. Why all the hype? 2010 marks the first time… [Continue Reading]
You have probably heard many predictions about the future direction of personal taxes. Dating back to the 2008 campaign, everything from income tax brackets, to the estate tax, as well as capital gains tax rates have been debated. What is often lost in the discussion, is what is scheduled to happen this year, and 2011,… [Continue Reading]
The events of the past two years have affected many financial plans. Unemployment is above 10%, and the stock market is still off the highs reached in October 2007. Although these issues are outside your control, there are many things you can focus on that have a meaningful impact on your life. Before the ball… [Continue Reading]
It was one year ago today, that Bernie Madoff was arrested, and his Ponzi scheme exposed. Although most investors were not directly affected by his crimes, the size of his fraud has caused many to question if something similar could happen to them. An article in yesterday’s Wall Street Journal suggested investors should ask several… [Continue Reading]
I was pleased to read today that the state of Oregon is proposing becoming only the 9th state to regulate what has become an alphabet soup of financial industry designations. I initially heard about this on The Oregonians personal finance blog this morning. The unfortunate secret in the industry is firm titles tend to be… [Continue Reading]
Over the past two years I have been invited to speak to a class of juniors at Bethany College on topics relevant to my work as an advisor. The class in particular, is titled “Professional Transitions“, and was originally offered to business and economics students, but has since been opened to other majors as well.… [Continue Reading]
For the past 11 years, I have worked as a financial advisor, and have been a Certified Financial Planner™ since 2007. In my work with clients, I advise them on taking care of many aspects of their total financial situation. For the most part, I think that I do a pretty good job of living… [Continue Reading]
Times were very different for me in the spring of 2006. I had recently left my investment advisory position at a large regional bank, to work with with an independent wealth management firm in town. Part of my “condition of employment” if you will, was that I pursue the Certified Financial Planner ™ certification. I… [Continue Reading]
If you have read the about me section, you’ll know I spend my days advising clients on all things financial. This typically includes reviewing investments, planning for retirement, and discussing goals for a clients estate. I also spend time reviewing health insurance options for clients when both spouses can elect coverage for the family, or… [Continue Reading]
My wife claims my iPhone has been surgically attached to my right hand. While that isn’t entirely true, it isn’t much of an exaggeration either. Several friends of mine are equally devoted to their Blackberrys. The debate among us typically turns to the standard notion that Blackberry is for business, and the iPhone is for… [Continue Reading]
Last night, the Pittsburgh Penguins "welcomed back" both Jaromir Jagr and Max Talbot. Jagr has been … [Read More...]
Not too long ago I raced road bikes, and was fairly competitive. Somewhere along the line I didn’t make the time to stay in good enough shape to hang with the local Wednesday night ride, and not long after didn’t ride much at all. I stayed in decent shape by going to the gym most… [Continue Reading]
The 2011 edition of the Technology Tools for Today conference wrapped up this afternoon in sunny Weston FL. Like last year, I’ve come away with several ideas about ways our financial advisory practice can make better use of technology. For extensive coverage of T3, check out the live blog by RIA Biz. As for me,… [Continue Reading]
By now you’ve probably seen more than a handful of advertisements or solicitations encouraging you to convert your Traditional IRA into a Roth IRA. If you haven’t, take a moment to google Roth conversions and see how many ads and articles appear, extolling this opportunity. Why all the hype? 2010 marks the first time… [Continue Reading]
