As of this month, Financial Alternatives is rolling out a Personal Financial Management platform called eMoney for our clients. This portal will provide clients with secure access to real time values of all of their accounts across various custodians including held-away 401K accounts and liabilities such as student loans, mortgages, and credit cards.
Read MoreLooking at broad market indices, the US outperformed non-US developed and emerging markets during the second quarter.
Almost all currencies depreciated vs. the US dollar.
Last year International Developed Stocks and International Emerging Stocks outperformed US Large Stocks.
Year-to-date US Stocks are outperforming International Stocks.
For the 10 year period from 2000–2009 the S&P 500 lost -9.10%. International investments logged significant gains during this period.
With cybercrime constantly making headlines, it’s no wonder that some people have resorted to avoiding the web altogether as a way to prevent exposure to this risk.
Think again.
Read MoreHomeownership is quickly becoming a luxury that fewer can afford in California these days. But it doesn’t have to be – if you know the tax code. In this column we highlight some lesser known property tax loopholes that can help ease the financial burden for those who qualify.
Read MorePerhaps the notifications we get on LinkedIn have led to the popularization of the term “work anniversary. ” The passing of another year isn’t just nominal; it can be an opportunity to evaluate how well your job is meeting your financial needs. As you celebrate another year at your job, here are some questions that you should ask yourself.
Read MoreMost families, even the more financially successful ones, don’t talk about money the right way, or even put much attention into discussing money as a family at all. For a variety of reasons this is harmful to a family’s continued wellbeing. Here are some tips for successfully imparting the knowledge and wisdom about money that your family needs to know to educate the next generation about money.
Read MoreI recently explored upgrading from my current condo into a house, but the resulting property tax and mortgage expense increase would be too great for me to justify a move. This same predicament, which I call the “golden handcuffs” provides disincentives for many homeowners to move, fanning the flames of the affordable housing shortage in North County.
Read MoreIt is a sad fact of life that often those who are close to us are the ones who have the ability to hurt us the most, even trusted caregivers or family members. Members of the La Jolla community may recall the chilling case of Robert Stella, an elderly man who was tied to his bed, starved, and forced to live in squalor by his ex-wife (NBC, 2014). Elder abuse can happen to any older adult in any community, but the subject of our story today is how our community members in La Jolla, CA may defend themselves and their loved ones from elder abuse.
Read MoreEmbarking on a financial plan is like sailing around the world. The voyage won’t always go to plan, and there will be rough seas. But the odds of reaching your destination increase greatly if you are prepared, flexible, patient, and well-advised.
Read MoreLooking at broad market indices, emerging markets outperformed developed markets, including the US, in the first quarter.
Non-US real estate investment trusts outperformed US REITs in the first quarter.
Interest rates increased in the US during the first quarter.
The yield on the 10-year Treasury note increased to 2.74%.
The amount you can pass without owing estate taxes essentially doubled as of January 1st thanks to the recently passed Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.
This estate tax provision will expire at the end of 2025.
Estate plans based on prior tax law should be re-evaluated to ensure your intentions match the current law.
Older estate plans may ultimately cost your beneficiaries more in taxes and/or unnecessary recordkeeping requirements.
Silence and privacy are the most undervalued assets in a client’s portfolio. We say this to acknowledge an often overlooked facet of investment management and financial planning: client confidentiality. This is something that many financial advisors and even their clients don’t pay enough attention to until it is too late. Is your advisor doing what your advisor should be doing to protect your confidentiality?
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