Health and Lifestyle

January 16, 2020

Lessons we learned from the last decade…

2010-11: Aftershocks of the Great Recession The best way to see how much can change in a decade is to remember how things were at the end of the last one.  In 2010, we were coming off the worst decade for stocks since the 1930s. The Great Recession had devastated the retirement savings of millions of people. Many of the world’s most famous financial institutions had collapsed.  And the national unemployment rate was near 10%.1 It was a scary and uncertain time. Many investors had fled the markets entirely by 2010, some for good. As a result, they missed a […]
Do you like it?0
Read more
January 9, 2020

What do I need to know about the SECURE Act?

Before we dive in, understand that the SECURE Act is over 20,000 words long.  (And in fact, the Senate had to tuck it away in a much, much larger appropriations bill to pass it.)  That means there isn’t room to cover every provision of the new law, and many won’t apply to you anyway.  So, what follows is a brief overview of the major changes that could affect your finances. Are you ready?  Then take a deep breath as we review…   Changes to the IRA “stretch” provisions1 For years, one of the most popular estate planning strategies was the […]
Do you like it?0
Read more
July 1, 2019

Providing for your pet: An estate plan for Fido

When you are sitting around your dinner table, having tough conversations about your legacy, your children’s future, and how to plan for what’s ahead, don’t forget about the ball of fur at your feet, waiting for the next crumb to drop! 68% of U.S. households have a pet, and as pet owners ourselves, we understand that a dog, bird, or even a herd of cats, are considered part of the family! No matter how many things Fido chews up, you love him all the same. So what does Fido’s future look like when you’re gone? Include your pet in your […]
Do you like it?0
Read more