Blog Posts

Book Review: Braiding Sweetgrass – Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants

Book Review: Braiding Sweetgrass – Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants

By Jessica Searcy Kmetty

Drawing on her life as an indigenous scientist, and as a woman, Kimmerer shows how other living beings―asters and goldenrod, strawberries and squash, salamanders, algae, and sweetgrass―offer us gifts and lessons, even if we’ve forgotten how to hear their voices. In reflections that range from the creation of Turtle Island to the forces that threaten its flourishing today, she circles toward a central argument: that the awakening of ecological consciousness requires the acknowledgment and celebration of our reciprocal relationship with the rest of the living world. For only when we can hear the languages of other beings will we be capable of understanding the generosity of the earth and learn to give our own gifts in return. – Book Description from Amazon.com

Don’t Be Your Own Worst Enemy

Don’t Be Your Own Worst Enemy

One of the most well-known investors of the 20th Century, Benjamin Graham, said, “the investor’s chief problem – and even his worst enemy – is likely to be himself.”

What Graham understood – and modern research is catching up to – is the idea that we all have emotions and biases that affect our decision-making. The innate wiring built to survive premodern times can be counterproductive in our modern world, especially when it comes to investing.

Let’s take a quick look at a few of the human emotions and biases that can adversely impact sound investment decision-making.

Rules Tighten on Stretch IRAs

Rules Tighten on Stretch IRAs

Washington was busy this holiday season. As many of us were looking forward to some well-earned time off, new legislation was passed, and it affects some of the old rules for traditional Individual Retirement Accounts. These changes went into effect on January 1, 2020.

One of the biggest changes will affect the required minimum distribution (RMD) timeline for IRAs granted to a beneficiary at the time of your death.

When Family Dynamics Derail Financial Planning

When Family Dynamics Derail Financial Planning

By John C. Fales

If you give $1,000 to every member of a family, there’s a high likelihood that no two members will spend it the same way.

Money is a tool that is used to accomplish goals, and it often takes some patience and understanding to uncover the motivation behind how each family member chooses to use their money. However, patience and understanding are not always the first reactions when family members discuss, or perhaps judge, their family members’ behavior.

Are family dynamics getting in the way of your multi-generational financial planning?

Book Review: Refire! Don’t Retire, Part IV, Refiring Physically

Book Review: Refire! Don’t Retire, Part IV, Refiring Physically

By Brenda Carrico

For some people, taking care of their physical wellbeing is a part of life, and for others, it’s one of the biggest challenges. If you’re the type of person who can balance the healthy versus unhealthy food you put in your body – hats off! You’re probably also that person we see riding your bike down the street, going for a walk, lifting weights, or taking a yoga class. Not everyone enjoys exercise, can motivate themselves to keep moving, or finds it easy to control a balanced diet.

Taking the Team Approach

Taking the Team Approach

By Michael J. Searcy

We often talk to people about how utilizing multiple financial advisors can lessen their chance for success. For example, one advisor could decide to trade out of an investment to take losses at the same time the other decides to buy into that same investment, creating a wash sale, and adverse tax consequences. Neither professional is at fault, they just didn’t realize what had occurred because they weren’t aware their client was working with multiple advisors. I started thinking about that concept differently and now want to tell you that you should work with multiple advisors, but, it’s not what you think!

Planning for 2020 with Updated Amounts and Adjustments from the IRS

Planning for 2020 with Updated Amounts and Adjustments from the IRS

We cannot stress enough the value that tax deferred savings brings to your retirement planning. It is one of the more powerful tools at your disposal.

To help prepare those of you who are still working, a summary of the 2020 Annual Benefit Plan Amounts, showing adjustments to dollar limitations on benefits from and contributions to qualified retirement plans, can be found at the end of this communication.