For Mark Roberts' Use: Do you imagine what will happen to your estate after your death? Undoubtedly, you want your loved once to receive what you've left them, and you don't want it to take a long time. But if your estate is subject to the probate process, the lengthy process could prove to be [...]
Investment Commentary – January 14, 2015 Dow – 17,613.68 (1/13/15 close) (-1.18% YTD) S&P 500 – 2023.03 (1/13/15 close) (-1.75% YTD) 10-year Treasury – 1.89% (1/13/15 close) (-12.9% YTD) · Despite a strong job report last Friday, wage growth which tends to have an inverse relationship with the unemployment rate declined. This surprised the market [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: Whether you're preparing for retirement or you've already begun that chapter in your life, you know that making every dollar count is a major key to your financial success. Before retirement, stretching your budget helps you to find extra money to stash in savings. After retirement, living a thrifty life helps your [...]
Investment Commentary – January 7, 2015 Dow – 17,371.64 (1/6/15 close) S&P 500 – 2,002.61 (1/6/15 close) 10-year Treasury – 1.96% (1/6/15) · With another year in the books, analysts found it important to review returns in 2014. REITS were the top performers, as real estate markets around the world continued to recover. The S&P [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: Back in your working days, you looked forward to your annual raise. It helped to offset inflation, and provided you with extra cash to spend on luxury items or save for retirement. Now that you're retired, you may find that your “raises” from Social Security are less exciting. But you still need [...]
Investment Commentary – December 29, 2014 Dow – 18,038.23 (12/29/14 close) S&P 500 index – 2,090.57 (12/29/14 close) 10-year Treasury – 2.20% (12/29/14 close) In 2014, S&P 500 never dropped 4 days in a row. This is a sign of how relentless U.S. stocks have been in their march higher. This is the 1st calendar [...]
We would like to wish you and your family a very happy holiday season! It's been a great year, and we have loved helping each and every one of you achieve your financial goals. We look forward to continuing to grow together in 2015. See you next year!
Investment Commentary – December 17, 2014 Dow – 17,356.87 (12/17/14 close) S&P 500 – 2012.89 (12/17/14 close) 10-year Treasury – 2.14% (12/17/14 close) · U.S. stocks surged today after the Federal Reserve retained the phrase “considerable time” in its policy statement, and also introduced another word, “patient,” as the central bank readies to raise interest [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: Inflation – the rise in prices of goods and services over time – can have a significant impact on your retirement budget. Once you stop working, you will most likely be faced with the prospect of living on a fixed income for the rest of your life. When prices of food, [...]
For Mark Roberts's Use: Estate planning can be a complicated process for anyone. You have to consider the possible needs of your heirs during a difficult time in life, and balance those needs with the legal and tax ramifications of your decisions. As a business owner, you have the same considerations of anyone else, but [...]