When Heirs are Imperfect
Passing your estate to an heir with credit problems or a gambling or alcohol addiction might not only lead to that wealth being squandered, but the inheritance could worsen the destructive behaviors. Of course, you don’t want to disinherit your child simply because of their personal challenges. There are potential solutions that allow parents to […]
Do Our Biases Affect Our Financial Choices?
Investors are routinely warned about allowing their emotions to influence their decisions. However, they are not often cautioned about their preconceptions and biases that may color their financial choices. In a battle between facts & biases, our biases may win. If we acknowledge this tendency, we may be able to avoid some unexamined choices when […]
Why Regular Rebalancing Makes Sense
Everyone loves a winner. If an investment is successful, most people naturally want to stick with it. But is that the best approach? It may sound counterintuitive, but it may be possible to have too much of a good thing. Over time, the performance of different investments can shift a portfolio’s intent – and its […]
Directors and Officers Liability Insurance
Liability insurance for directors and officers is not just for large public companies; it can be an equally valuable risk management tool for smaller businesses. Directors and Officers (D&O) liability insurance helps protect directors and officers of public and private for-profit businesses of all sizes, as well as non-profit organizations, and educational institutions. A D&O […]
When Life Insurance Becomes Taxable
In 1900, the average life expectancy of a newborn was only 32 years old. By 2021, that number more than doubled to 71 years, and the trend is expected to continue.1 Living this long may have unexpected tax consequences. Here’s why. Many older life insurance policies mature at a specific age, typically 95 or 100. […]
The Most Overlooked Item of Any Home Improvement
If you are like most homeowners, you love selecting the fixtures, fabrics, and paint colors of your home improvement project. But there is one very important item that you may overlook—making certain you are properly insured. Why Proper Insurance Matters You may need to review your insurance before beginning any home improvement project since it […]
Protection Against Uninsured Drivers
About 12.6 percent of all motorists, or one-in-eight drivers, do not have automobile insurance, according to the Insurance Research Council.¹ Having the misfortune to get into an accident with an uninsured motorist may have serious financial consequences, depending upon the state in which you reside and whether it is a “no-fault” or “tort” state. In […]
Mortgages in Retirement
Anyone who has gone through the process of mapping out their retirement knows there can be a lot to keep in mind. Saving, investing, anticipating medical costs, and making sure you have enough tucked away for years to come is just the start. One question many people overlook is: “Should I pay off my mortgage […]
Investing for Impact
Many investors are looking to build a portfolio that reflects their socially responsible values while giving them the potential for solid returns. That’s where SRI Investing, Impact Investing, and ESG Investing may play a role. In the past, some investors regarded these investment strategies as too restrictive. But over time, improved evaluative data and competitive […]
Pullbacks, Corrections, and Bear Markets
When the market drops, some investors lose perspective that downtrends and uptrends are part of the investing cycle. When stock prices break lower, it’s a good time to review common terms that are used to describe the market’s downward momentum. Pullbacks. A pullback represents the mildest form of a selloff in the markets. You might […]