As we go through life, we experience many life-changing events: school, birth of new siblings, (unfortunately) death of a loved one, and at some point in time, most of us experience marriage. It certainly is life changing, as we learn about each other, and explore that which is necessary to build this new relationship into a life-long dream together.
However, re-evaluating insurance coverage isn’t one of the items uppermost on the minds of newlyweds- but… Continue reading
As each new calendar month approaches our office administrator hands me a list of client names whose birthday will be coming up over the following 30 or so days. As I write something in the card I find myself reflecting on such things as how long we have had our client/advisor relationship and what changes have taken place over the years in addressing the clients changing needs. As I worked on this months birthday list the thought came to mind that for various clients their… Continue reading
It used to be that if you were into the soap opera scene you just turned on your television from early to mid afternoon and watched your favorite shows. Well, now we have the all day variety and it is based in none other than our nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. It truly was most interesting in that today’s show began mid morning and lasted well into the evening. The employees of a major Wall Street powerbroker got to play starring roles before… Continue reading
Having just had a birthday in my mid (all right, moving to upper) 50’s, I fleetingly thought about what retirement planning for me would be like. In my 25+ years of helping people move into their new paradigm of life, I rarely thought about it myself. Now, not to worry. I have no intention of retiring…at least not in the near future- I’m having too much fun doing what I do every day.
Retirement planning takes time. Not the time it takes… Continue reading
On Friday 4/16 the Securities and Exchange Commission charged Goldman Sachs and one of its vice presidents with defrauding investors by misstating and omitting key facts about a financial product related to subprime mortgages.
We didn’t really think the sub-prime mess was over, did we?
According to CBS MarketWatch, “Goldman wrongly permitted a client that was betting against the mortgage market to heavily influence which mortgage securities to include in an investment portfolio, while telling other investors that the securities were selected by an independent, objective third party,”
As in most professions, areas of specialty are prevalent. Doctors have dozens of specific niches, accountants may specialize in personal, business, corporate or a myriad of places in between: even chefs fall under the categories of souse, pastry, salad, etc. When choosing an attorney, going the general route may hurt rather than help you in all but the simplest of needs.
Choosing an attorney is part of your financial and business life. It is important to… Continue reading
Nobody wants or likes an audit. The thought of IRS coming in and you having to prove that which you claimed on your tax return is brutal, no matter how honest you may be. The sheer stress of it all is enough to make even the strongest man or woman shake in their shoes. If you are the victim of a random audit, is there a key to a successful end?
An audit may be triggered by a vast number of things: Expenses that… Continue reading | 1 Comment
With interest rates at a 40+ year low, you can bet that it’s not going to stay there forever. As I am a realist and always look at the yin and yang of life, to really define how good or bad low interest rates are really depends on how you use this tool, and what side of the fence you are on- the giving or the receiving.
Firstly, let’s look at the income side of the fence. Assuming you are on… Continue reading | 1 Comment
If you live anywhere the New York area, you know that March has been the wettest month on record. Yesterday I looked out into my backyard, which had ducks swimming in my lake…which I didn’t have before yesterday! Mature trees have fallen over from the waterlogged soil, streets flooded, vast erosion of private and public land, and an overall feeling of I’ve just had enough. Homeowners in flat, safe areas that never gave water damage a thought are dealing with inches or feet of water in their lower levels and garages. Thank goodness you have homeowners insurance…but are water damages… Continue reading
I’m not one to get involved in conversation involving religion or politics: mostly because I believe everyone has their right to their opinion and their beliefs. Well, of course up to the point that it doesn’t infringe on others rights. “Live and let live.” “To each their own.” ” What shall be, shall be.” Yada-yada-yada…
The new groundbreaking, revolutionary, stupendous, earth changing (insert your own description) healthcare program is the first major change to the healthcare system in the US for many decades… Continue reading
