Financial Advisor | CFP® | Dad | Steelers & Penguins fan | iPhone addict |
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 first became aware of the Free Wheelchair Mission on Saturday May 30, 2009. On this night I attended a birthday party of a friend of mine who requested donations to the mission in lieu of gifts. I mostly remember the exact date since it was game 1 of this years Stanley Cup finals. I… [Continue Reading]
By now I’m sure you’re familiar with the story of Comcast employee Frank Eliason and his Comcast Cares Twitter account. If you’re not, essentially Frank was one of the first to use Twitter to proactively “listen” for Comcast customers in need of customer service. You can read more about his story here. Today I was… [Continue Reading]
In October, I attended my first Create West Virginia Conference in Huntington WV. You can read more about the mission of Create and my experience above. During the conference, I learned that several leaders from the City of Wheeling were very interested in bringing the 2010 conference to Wheeling. They were planning on meeting soon… [Continue Reading]
I don’t know when it started, but there is NO question, I am a technology snob. ZERO question. There was a little run skit on Saturday Night Live where Jimmy Fallon played a tech support geek at a company. Here’s a great clip that sums me up: I am Nick Burns. It’s pathetic, but true.… [Continue Reading]
If you’ve attended just about any Pittsburgh Steelers games this decade, you’ve heard their “anthem”, Renegade, by Styx. Similar to Sweet Caroline at Boston Red Sox games, it’s something that nobody could remember when it started, or why it was effective. Wonder no more. The good people at NFL films have put together a 30… [Continue Reading]
Earlier this week, the marketing department at my office sent out the standard year end email this week announcing they would be ordering stationary for 2010, and asking if anyone needed additional business cards ordered. Then last night, at an event for Pittsburgh Young Professionals I met a few people and we exchanged business cards.… [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]
