Blog - Financial Planning & Investment Management
Financial Planning & Investment Management
Market Update
1/8/2023
Please click here for the latest Market Update from Brad McMillan, managing principal and chief investment officer at Commonwealth Financial Network®, our Registered Investment Adviser–broker/dealer. See the Market Update...
Financial Planning & Investment Management
An Update on Bank Failures
3/15/2023
Following the closure of Silicon Valley Bank on Friday, March 10, 2023, New York Signature Bank also closed. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has taken control of both banks. Read more...
Financial Planning & Investment Management
Market Update: Decoding the Debt Ceiling Crisis
2/5/2023
The headlines this week have warned that we’re nearing a “debt ceiling crisis.” What does this mean? It’s estimated that on January 19, 2023, the United States will have borrowed as much money as it’s legally allowed to borrow and will be prohibited from borrowing more. Why is this happening? In short, the new Congress has failed to pass a law allowing the Treasury to borrow the money that’s needed to make required payments. The Treasury, therefore, will have to use cash on hand right now, as well as any inflows, to pay the outstanding bills for as long as possible—until the money runs out. Read more...
Human Resources & Payroll, Financial Planning & Investment Management
Taxpayers Encouraged to Check Tax Withholding
10/31/2022
On October 20, 2022, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released an article encouraging taxpayers to review their tax withholding before year end and make changes if necessary. The article states that doing so can help avoid surprises—such as a large bill or refund—when filing taxes in 2023. Read more...
Financial Planning & Investment Management
Adding Perspective: Higher Rates & A Bear Market
10/5/2022
As we encounter another downswing in the ongoing bear market, it’s only natural to be concerned and ask questions. Here’s where we are at the moment: using the S&P 500 as a measure, the markets are down 22 percent from the peak at the end of last year, and just under 14 percent from the end of the most recent rally in August. This year, there have been four drops and three rallies. We’re down quite a bit, and that doesn’t feel good. The question to ask is: what should we do about it? To figure that out, we need to look at two things. Read more...
Financial Planning & Investment Management, BFG News
Succession planning in advance | Kim Moore & Malcolm Lui
11/2/2021
Kim Moore and Malcolm Lui of Eversprint discuss how Kim helps business owners with succession planning. See the interview...
Financial Planning & Investment Management
9 Tips: Protecting Yourself from Identity Theft
4/13/2021
You may be like most people. You believe that identity theft could never happen to you. Then, one day, you go to the mailbox, open your monthly credit card statement, and see a host of charges made to your account in a country you’ve never dreamed of visiting. That’s a type of identity theft, and you’ve become one of the millions of its victims in the U.S. every year. Read more...
Financial Planning & Investment Management
Early Signs Suggest Reopening Going Better than Expected
5/26/2020
In the past week, we had some mixed news on the coronavirus pandemic. Testing continued to rise, although improvement in slowing the spread rate and case growth seemed to stall. Further, the number of active cases started to grow again, a negative sign. Overall, conditions still remain much better than they have been in recent weeks, but we did not see much (if any) additional progress in controlling the virus. Read more...
Financial Planning & Investment Management
The CARES Act: Impact on Individuals
4/20/2020
There are provisions affecting individuals that range from the stimulus checks which are finding their way to bank accounts or mailboxes, penalty-free retirement plan distributions, increased retirement plan loans, enhanced charitable contributions, and education loan relief. Read more...
Financial Planning & Investment Management
Are We Seeing Signs of Progress in the Coronavirus Crisis? A Video from Commonwealth Financial Network®
4/20/2020
We would like to offer you the opportunity to hear thoughts from Brad McMillan, managing principal and chief investment officer at Commonwealth Financial Network®, our Registered Investment Adviser–broker/dealer. In this video, Mr. McMillan provides an update on the coronavirus crisis, including its effects on the economy and markets. Read more...
Financial Planning & Investment Management
What does the Coronavirus Mean for Investors?
3/9/2020
Despite attempts by Chinese authorities to contain the coronavirus, the numbers make clear that the virus is now spreading around the world. According to the World Health Organization, there are 79,331 confirmed cases, of which 77,262 are in China and 2,069 are outside of China (as of February 24, 2020). Unfortunately, the numbers only seem to be growing, with the Washington Post recently reporting that there were 833 confirmed cases in South Korea and 53 confirmed cases in the U.S. Read more...
Financial Planning & Investment Management
Tax Reform May Bring a New Strategy for End of Year Giving
12/27/2018
Charitable giving may get a shot in the arm. The new tax reform law has raised the standard deduction to $12,000 for individuals and $24,000 for married couples and has reduced some itemized deductions. Deductions for state, local, and property taxes have been capped at $10,000, leaving charitable giving as one of the remaining available deductions. In addition, the limit on what people can deduct is increasing from 50% to 60% of adjusted gross income (AGI). Read more...
Financial Planning & Investment Management
Market Thoughts in this Volatile December
12/27/2018
As we approach year-end, the market continues to drop. Plus, the major U.S. stock market indices are now in or approaching bear market territory (i.e., down 20 percent or more). As such, there is a real concern that this drawdown signals something even worse ahead. Worry levels are rising. And as the worry levels rise, the problem gets even worse. Read more...
Financial Planning & Investment Management
The Tax Law Has Changed: You Should Review Your Estate Plan
6/13/2018
“In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Estate planning involves both of those certainties. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has changed the tax law as it relates to estate taxes, with lifetime exemptions doubling. While these changes are set to expire in 2025, families could take advantage of the new tax law in the interim. Read more...
Financial Planning & Investment Management
Market Volatility & Your Strategy
2/9/2018
With the recent market declines, U.S. markets are now in an official correction (a 10% decline as opposed to a bear market, which is a 20% downturn). A drop in the markets can initially seem scary; however, those with an established investment strategy can have a different perspective. At times like these, experts like Warren Buffet advise investors to stick with their strategy and, if cash is available, to take advantage of drops in the market. Read more...
Financial Planning & Investment Management
What does the Market Decline mean for you?
2/6/2018
Market drops are scary, especially when they come day after day. The decline on Monday, February 5, was particularly bad. In fact, it has been billed as the largest point drop ever for the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Looking at that, it’s normal to think that the stock market is in a downward spiral. History shows, however, that this is often not the case. Although declines like we have seen in the past week are not fun, they generally are not reason to panic. Read more...
Financial Planning & Investment Management, Human Resources & Payroll
Planning for Disasters
10/7/2017
Disasters can be life-changing and stressful; however, avoiding the topic doesn’t eliminate the stress or the possibility of a disaster occurring. Whether a medical emergency or severe weather—like we’ve just witnessed across the southern United States—we know that some disasters are unavoidable. The best defense in these situations is having compliant policies in place and ensuring your staff is well-trained on them. Read more...