On October 7th, Charles Schwab started offering commission-free trading. TD Ameritrade nearly fell over themselves to follow suit and match their competitor, but neither brokerage was the first to make this offer to their customers. Vanguard, J.P. Morgan, and Interactive Brokers all beat them to Read more…
The Tax Benefits of a Partial Roth Conversion
It always hits our clients at some point after age 50. Retirement is no longer a mirage off in the distance—it’s a real event that’s coming into sharper focus. With that clarity comes new questions about turning retirement savings into retirement income. Read more…
5 Questions People Don’t Ask Their Financial Advisor (But Should)
Working with a financial advisor is a great decision. Would you argue a serious case about a legal document in a court of law without an attorney? Would you opt to have surgery from someone who wasn’t trained as a medical professional with expertise in your specific area of concern? Read more…
How an HSA Can Boost Your Retirement Savings
When it comes to picking a health insurance plan, the options can seem confusing. For years, I avoided my company’s high-deductible health insurance plan with a health savings account (HSA) because it felt scarier than simply paying the monthly premiums and predictable co-pays of a PPO plan. Read more…
Asset Allocation
Asset allocation is the most important decision a long-term investor makes, and it’s one of the few things in the world of investing that is fully within your control. A famous paper published 1986 determined that asset allocation explains 93.6% of variation in portfolio returns. More recent Read more…
The Power of Compounding
Time mixed with the power of compounding is the most potent combination for wealth creation. Read more…
Disability Insurance: The Missing Piece in Your Financial Plan
Five years ago when my wife and I were expecting our first child, I was quick to get term life insurance policies in place. It wasn’t until last month, however, that I protected my human capital from disability. Read more…
Put Your Personal Finances on Autopilot: How to Automate Your Income, Expenses, and Investments
Remember in high school when you had to read The Odyssey? Read more…
Fees Matter
When I look through the funds that investors use – be it an individual, institution, or 401(k) plan – I’m always amazed by the high fund expenses. Read more…
Time Beats Timing
As the stock market continues to reach new highs, it’s tempting to think about the possibility of buying and selling at just the right moment. Here’s a dirty little secret that most of the investment industry doesn’t want you to know: Time is more important than timing in investment success. Read more…
