July 15, 2020 Update: Should You Forgo Taking RMDs in 2020?
The CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security), signed into law in March of this year, includes provisions designed to provide relief to U.S. taxpayers. Among them is one that allows retirees to forgo taking Required Minimum Distributions, or RMDs, from…
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June 10, 2020 Update: Green Shoots and Signs of Economic Life
It’s perhaps the understatement of the year, but there’s been a lot going on in 2020. An election year, a global pandemic, and now, protests. It feels like we’re living a decade’s worth of change in just one year. Plus, everything moved so fast...
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May 20, 2020 Update: Why They Matter: Professional Fiduciaries—a Position of Trust
The term, “fiduciary,” may sound dry and academic, but its significance is profound. In fact it’s so pivotal that I am 1) reviewing what a fiduciary is, 2) confirming that HearthStone always acts in a fiduciary capacity, and 3) affirming why...
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May 12, 2020 Update: No News is Better than Old News
With the economy getting crushed and unemployment numbers skyrocketing, I am being asked more and more, “Why in the world is the stock market going up...
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May 5, 2020 Update: Animal Spirits and Economic Activity
We are beginning to sense signs of life and an early indication that the U.S. economy may be in the initial stages to a recovery...
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April 28, 2020 Update: Tips for Staying Ahead of Today’s Scammers
Unfortunately, an epic crisis ushers in an epic level of scam artists.
That’s why we are advising everyone to be extremely cautious during this COVID-19 pandemic. Each day brings change and confusion. This turmoil creates a witches’ brew of opportunity for the bad guys...
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April 23, 2020 Update: Lower Your Tax Bill Through Tax-Loss Harvesting
There can be a silver lining in the storm clouds of market declines. It comes by offsetting capital gains with capital losses in order to reduce overall gains and thus reduce future taxes...
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April 14, 2020 Update: How the CARES Act Affects Retirement Planning
There are significant provisions related to retirement funds within the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act enacted on March 27, 2020. These provisions are designed to allow you to pay fewer taxes or, defer taxes if you prefer. Let’s review some of these advantages...
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April 9, 2020 Update: When Markets are Moving, Think Rebalancing
Considering how much markets have fluctuated over the past month, now could be an opportune time to rebalance. Rebalancing involves periodically buying or selling assets in a portfolio to maintain an original or desired level of asset allocation or risk. So let’s review the basics.
April 7, 2020 Update: Gimme Shelter—Why Diversification Can Pay in a Down Market
Having a diverse investment portfolio doesn’t eliminate the risks of investing. However, it can pay off. How? By providing you choices that help reduce the impact of down markets if some of the portfolio has to be sold. In that sense, it’s wise to have a broad array of investments in your portfolio. And, since we’ve entered a bear market, let’s examine the benefits of diversifying an investment portfolio.