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How Financial Professionals Help Executives Manage and Reduce Over‑Concentration Risk
For seasoned business executives, the allure of company stock can be undeniable. After years of dedication and hard work, owning a significant portion of one's company can seem like a well-deserved reward. However, over-concentration...
Read MoreModern Wealth Management: Smart Ways to Adapt to Today’s Market Conditions
Addressing wealth management comprehensively in today's market environment is essential for individuals and business entities. Given the dynamic nature of global markets and the ever-changing economic landscape, navigating investment...
Read MoreEssential Habits for High-Net-Worth Financial Well-Being
Do you believe you have to be a financial genius to manage your finances? Financial knowledge may seem like a lot to handle, and you don’t need us to tell you that. But we are here to tell you that financial wellness is much more about...
Read MoreFive Steps Affluent Families Use to Build a Robust Financial Safety Net
In today's unpredictable world, having an emergency fund is not just a financial recommendation – it's a necessity. The reality of unexpected expenses, whether they come from a medical emergency, sudden unemployment, or urgent home...
Read MoreJuly 2025 Market Update Video
Happy Belated Independence Day to you and hope it was relaxing. Stocks finished June up about 5%, as evidenced in the S&P 500.1 Interest rates, as evidenced in the U.S. 10-year Treasury dropped slightly by 10 basis points...
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April 2025 Market Update Video
Welcome to our April 2025 Market Update! Welcome to this month’s update…and while we normally talk about the prior month, I’d be remiss if we didn’t address the early April market action as well. In March, stocks dropped 5-3/4% on...
Read MoreMarch 2025 Market Update!
Welcome to our March 2025 Market Update! Before getting into the markets, I apologize for not getting an update out in February…I believe that’s the first month we’ve ever missed! So now, on to this month’s update…have you heard...
Read MoreDecember 2024 Market Update!
Happy New Year and Welcome to our January 2025 Market Update! What a Year! The S&P 500 gained 25% in 2024, and while it paused here and there, I feel there were not any significant corrections to speak of.1 Within large cap U.S....
Read MoreDecember 2024 Market Update!
Welcome to our December 2024 Market Update! Happy Holidays! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…this is my favorite time of the year and hopefully yours as well! The markets have been quite giving in 2024, and November was no...
Read MoreNovember 2024 Market Update Video
Welcome to our November 2024 Market Update! In all honesty, this has got to be one of the biggest financial weeks for the markets in my career. The obvious events are the national elections here in the U.S., and also the Federal...
Read MoreOctober 2024 Market Update
Welcome to our October 2024 Market Update! Thanks for tuning in and before I get into the markets, I wanted to offer a big Thank You to receiving so much interest in the financial planning conference I attended. The S&P 500 added on...
Read MoreFIRE vs. DIRE: The Debate on Early Retirement and Financial Independence
For nearly everybody who enters the workforce, retirement is something they work toward, think about, and plan for. However, there are different strategies when it comes to retiring. For some, the thought of being able to retire early...
Read MoreSeptember 2024 Market Update
September 2024 Market Update from Financial Advisor in Tacoma, WA. In Aug, stocks began with declines that I feel lead economists and headlines to share that we may be entering a worse economy than previously thought. Following that...
Read MoreLife Insurance Considerations for Every Stage of Life
As we go through various stages of life, our insurance needs may vary significantly. Here’s a breakdown of the different stages: Early Adulthood (20s and 30s) Considerations: Affordability. Life insurance will be less expensive if an...
Read MoreFrom Beans to Bucks: Understanding the Common Ground Between Coffee and Investing
In the mountains of Ethiopia, around the year 850 CE, a goatherder named Kaldi went out in search of missing goats. When he located them, he observed them eating small red berries. He also noted the goats became energetic and would...
Read MoreThe Road to High-Net-Worth: Strategic 401(k) Moves to Amplify Your Wealth
As one embarks on their journey toward a high-net-worth status, it's crucial to understand that strategic planning and intelligent decision-making are essential for wealth generation and preservation. One of the most powerful tools at...
Read MoreA Crash Course on How To Use a 529 Plan
A 529 is a tax-advantaged savings plan that gives you incentives to save money to pay for college or other higher education expenses. Pursuing your savings goal may mean the difference between a dorm with central air conditioning or...
Read MoreAugust 2024 Market Update Video
Welcome to our August 2024 Market Update! Well, it looks like volatility has returned with a vengeance so let’s get right into this month’s commentary. The S&P 500 rose just over 1% in July to extend its string of gains, 1but that’s...
Read MorePreparing for The Great Wealth Transfer: What Every Millennial Should Know
Over the next few decades, one of the most significant wealth transfers in history is that baby boomers will pass down an estimated $30 trillion in assets to their heirs.
Read MoreKids Heading Off to College? Don’t Forget About These Estate Planning Must-Dos
Many parents want to provide their children with the best possible help and care, even when they transition into college. However, as the children come of age, there is much more to consider than tuition fees and dorm essentials.
Read MoreGrowth vs. Value Investing: Who are You Rooting for in This Duel of Strategies?
Growth investing and value investing are similar yet different financial concepts that motivate investors depending on several factors. These motivations vary from person-to-person.
Read MoreAlways Be Aware of Your Surroundings, Including the Current Economic Landscape
If you're someone who tends to avoid cable news programs, you may wonder about the best way to stay up-to-date on the current economic climate.
Read MoreJuly 2024 Market Update Video
Welcome to our July 2024 Market Update! Hopefully this update finds you beating the heat of summer! On that note, the markets have not cooled off as U.S. stocks rose about 3-1/2% in June.1 Most of the time we usually keep the analysis...
Read MoreThe Sandwich Generation and Retirement: Overcoming the Dual-Caregiving Dilemma
The "Sandwich Generation" is composed of adults who are ‘sandwiched’ between competing financial responsibilities. Many Sandwich Gen members support their aging parents while also providing for their children.
Read MoreWealth, Family, and Legacy: A Guide for High-Net-Worth Individuals in the Sandwich Generation
Wealth and estate planning are vital for all individuals but are particularly essential for high-net-worth (HNW) individuals in the sandwich generation. "Sandwich generation" refers to individuals caring for their parents and children.
Read MoreThe Founding Fathers' Guide to Financial Independence
“A penny saved is a penny earned.” This nugget of financial wisdom from Benjamin Franklin, shared in the late 1700s, remains as relevant today as it was then.
Read MoreJune 2024 Market Update Video
Welcome to our June 2024 Market Update! First and foremost, please let me thank all who attended and support a great Market Outlook Luncheon in May! We had two great speakers who touched upon topics such as the direction of interest...
Read MoreWhy Insurance is a Must-Have Element of Estate Planning
You probably already know that insurance is something you should have in case of unforeseen events. When it comes to estate planning, insurance helps manage the distribution of your assets the way you see fit.
Read MoreHow to Combat Emotional Investing: Mastering the Fear Curve
Strategies for Navigating Market Volatility with Confidence. In the unpredictable world of investing, the “fear curve” is an all-too-familiar emotional roller coaster that leads many investors to make decisions that ultimately harm them.
Read MoreHomeownership: What It Could Mean for Your Estate Plan
There is one thing that we will most likely all do one day: regardless of your status in society, position at work, or whether you are tall or short, you may pass down assets to loved ones.
Read MoreAnnuities Unveiled: The Secret Weapon for Wealthy Investors
Annuities are investment strategies offered by insurance companies that provide a steady income stream in retirement. These financial vehicles may particularly appeal to high-net-worth (HNW) investors for various reasons.
Read MoreMay 2024 Market Update
Welcome to our May 2024 Market Update! This month is brief as we have our Annual Market Outlook Luncheon on May 8th to dive into details a lot deeper than I can do in 2-3 minutes in these videos. In April, stocks saw exactly the...
Read MoreA Checklist for Your Retirement Planning
Remember, it is never too early to start planning for your future. The time to begin planning for your financial future is now. So, when it comes to preparing for retirement, the earlier you start, the better. Here are some steps to help.
Read More529 Plans Demystified: What Affluent Families Need to Know
As an affluent family, planning for your children's education is likely a top priority. You want to ensure that they have access to the best education possible without worrying about the high cost of tuition.
Read MoreSmart Strategies for Staying Ahead in Uncertain Markets
Over the past few years, the market has appeared to be on a rollercoaster, providing investors with moments of excitement followed by heart-palpitating anxiety. Staying ahead during uncertain market activity seems impossible.
Read MoreWhy High Earners Need Life Insurance Too: Helping Your Family and Preserving Your Finances
There are several ways high-net-worth individuals can benefit from life insurance. It is a vehicle that could provide loved ones with an income stream, it can be used as an investment strategy, it may help to lower your estate tax burden.
Read MoreApril 2024 Market Update
Welcome to our April 2024 Market Update! How are you feeling about your finances and investments now that we’ve just wrapped up the first quarter of 2024? I’m thinking that the quarter went by very quickly! For the month of March alone...
Read More6 Tips for Reducing Social Security Taxes
Determining how your income impacts Social Security (SS) taxes is important for tax planning. Factors that determine how much pay SS tax you pay, depending on your circumstances.
Read MoreGen Xers: “Can I Afford to Retire on My Terms?”
Financial education, planning, lifestyle adjustments and advice are crucial As Generation X, often referred to as the "forgotten generation," inches closer to retirement, a unique set of challenges and concerns emerges. Born between...
Read MoreHigh-Net-Worth Retirement Planning: 6 Ideas to Help You Get Your Finances in Order
Do you consider yourself a high-net-worth individual (HNWI)? Most people tend not to categorize themselves or see themselves as anything more than a spouse, parent, sibling, neighbor, boss, or business owner. However, society does...
Read MoreMaking the Most of an Interest Rate Hike Pause: Financial Tips and Strategies
In times of market volatility, when inflation is increasing, the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates to help to cool the inflation spike. During this period, people are anxious and keep a tight grip on their wallets. In time, the...
Read MoreJanuary 2024 Market Update
Happy New Year and Welcome to our first Market Update of 2024! How were your holidays? Hopefully an exuberant stock market and nicely higher rates on savings added to the holiday splendor! U.S. stocks enjoyed a great year, rising...
Read MoreHow to Plan for a Healthy Retirement
Planning for retirement often involves focusing on your finances and ensuring that you not only will have enough to sustain you during your retirement but adequate funds to do the things you enjoy doing. While this strategy is a...
Read MoreThe Great Wealth Transfer and Generation X
A call to action for Generation X to improve their retirement readiness For many members of Generation X, those born between 1965 and 1980, a comfortable retirement may feel like an increasingly distant dream. Despite being in their...
Read More5 Common RMD Mistakes That Could Ruin Your Retirement
As age 73 nears, it is critical that you begin considering how you want to handle the required minimum distributions (RMDs) you are obligated to withdraw from your tax-advantaged retirement accounts.
Read MoreDECEMBER 2023 MARKET UPDATE
Happy Holidays! Welcome to our December 2023 Market Update. Wow, how fast has this year gone?! When one thinks of all the headlines surrounding rising rates, war in Ukraine and Gaza not to mention dire economic predictions,...
Read MoreWays to Minimize Tax on an Investment Portfolio
Improving return by minimizing taxes. Although we are all obligated to pay our fair share of taxes, few of us would be pleased to pay taxes unnecessarily. Because taxes lower the actual return on your investments.
Read MoreNovember 2023 Market Update
Welcome to our November 2023 Market Update Video! Do you know which is historically, the worst month for the stock market? Most of us may recall Black Monday in 1987 when the Dow opened down over 22% in a day and think...
Read MoreEnd of Year (EOY) Deadlines Checklist
For many of us, a new year is an opportunity for fresh starts and discovering the best versions of ourselves, but some things—like tax contributions and retirement deadlines—don't change much, if at all.
Read MoreYear-end Tax Planning for High-Net-Worth Individuals
As the year’s end approaches, High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNWIs) must prepare for one of the most critical monetary tasks: year-end tax planning.
Read MoreRetirement Security Starts With Visualizing Your Future
Planning for your financial future and retirement looks much different now than in previous years. Some people must supplement their Social Security to have enough to maintain their desired lifestyle.
Read MoreOCTOBER 2023 MARKET UPDATE
Welcome to our October 2023 Market Update Video! Don’t Look at your September statement! I’m just kidding… While September didn’t deliver us more positive returns in the stock market, it declined about...
Read MoreSEPTEMBER 2023 MARKET UPDATE
Welcome to our September 2023 Market Update Video! Are there any market-related questions churning through your mind? I only ask because it seems we’ve had a few shifts occur in the last year or so. Interest rates come to...
Read More529 Plans vs. Other College Savings Options
529 plans can be a great way to save for college, but they're not the only way. When you're investing for a major goal like education, it makes sense to be familiar with all of your options.
Read MoreAugust 2023 Market Update
Welcome to our August 2023 Market Update Video! Have you been paying attention to stocks, financial markets…or just enjoying the weather?! It’s been a pretty easy market to take as stocks were up again in July, rising 3.2%...
Read MoreBack-To-School Shopping List Why Not A Yearly Retirement List?
Labor Day is right around the corner. The weather is starting to turn a little cooler, college football returns and the kids are back in school. For me, it’s always been the kids going back to school that really marked the end of summer.
Read MoreJuly 2023 Market Update
Welcome to our July 2023 Market Update Video!Stocks rose about 6-1/2% in June, kicking off a good start to the summer.1Fixed income yields, as reflected in the 10-year US Treasury began climbing throughout the month, rising about .25%...
Read MoreGenerational Wealth and the Gift of Financial Freedom
Those who receive an inheritance with the passing of a loved one are potentially given the gift of financial freedom if they choose to manage the wealth carefully.
Read MoreJune 2023 Market Update
Welcome to our June 2023 Market Update Video!How was your start to summer with this great weather we’re having? The market appears to have started its summer break too! Stocks were virtually flat in May, as the S&P 500...
Read More529 College Savings Plans: For Education and Estate Planning
529 College Savings plans are essential for saving for higher education expenses, and if used for education, accumulate tax-free. Since 529 plans came into existence in 1996, their popularity has continued to increase, with 529 plan...
Read More5 Homeowner Estate Planning Tips to Consider
Estate planning helps disperse your assets according to your wishes. The effort may seem daunting at first, but estate planning does not have to be overly complicated. With the proper planning, you may find yourself resting a little...
Read MoreCheck Off Your Insurance Check-Up: An Insurance Coverage Checklist
Insurance is one of the most crucial components of financial well-being, even though you may not necessarily receive an actual payout from a policy. Many things in life are especially valuable, such as your time, your health, your home...
Read MoreAn Essential Guide to Estate Planning Preparedness
A recent survey by Caring.com found that a whopping two in three American adults do not have an estate plan1—an alarming statistic, considering that an estate plan can protect your assets and ensure that they go to the right people...
Read MoreUnderstanding the Estate Planning Process
It is common for people to put off planning their estates. A well-structured estate plan can be invaluable. Here are some tips that may help you understand the estate planning process.
Read MoreMay 2023 Market Update
Welcome to our May 2023 Market Update Video!Before I begin, please let me offer a HUGE welcome to the newest member of our team: Lori Tipple. She will be sitting here in Tacoma and comes with a wide array of experience. ...
Read MoreApril Market Update
Welcome to our April 2023 Market Update Video!We have a lot to talk about, so let’s get right into it.The stock market rose 3-1/2% in the month of March.1 Does this come as a surprise after what we saw with the...
Read More5 Last Minute Considerations Before Tax Day
With April’s federal tax filing and payment deadline on the horizon, are you confident you have everything in order to make your tax filing go as smoothly as possible? Here are five last-minute details to double-check before Tax Day.
Read MoreMarch 2023 Market Update
Welcome to our March 2023 Market Update Video!How are you feeling about the current markets? Are they on your mind, or have you been too busy enjoying life? If it’s the latter, then good for you!February saw the...
Read More2023 Tax Tables
Don't forget to consult our 2022-2023 tax tables chart before you file your taxes. Please reach out if you have any questions.
Read MoreFebruary 2023 Market Update
Do you know when is the best time to do one of these videos? You guessed it, when the market had a good month!SO, Welcome to the February 2023 Market Update. Stocks in the U.S. rose over 6% for January.1 Since we...
Read MoreTax Prep Checklist: Everything You Need to Be Ready for Tax Season
Regardless of whether you prepare your taxes yourself or use a professional's services, here's some key information you need when preparing this year.
Read MoreCountdown to Investing in the New Year: 10 Questions to Ask Yourself
If one of your New Year's resolutions involves enhancing and expanding your investment portfolio, look no further. In a true New Year's Eve countdown tradition, ask yourself these 10 questions to help review your investment plans.
Read MoreJanuary 2023 Market Update
Happy New Year!Welcome to our January 2023 Market Update. We have a lot to talk about, following a pretty rough year in the markets and what I feel is a lot to look forward to…so let’s get started.As we’re all...
Read MoreDecember 2022 Market Update
Happy Holidays and welcome to our December 2022 Market Update!Do you know what may be one of the best things about this time of year? We are all focused on things other than the day-to-day whims of our investments!In an effort to...
Read MoreNovember 2022 Market Update
Welcome to our November 2022 Market Update Video…first and foremost:Happy Thanksgiving!So how are you feeling about the markets?! What a difference a month makes! October saw stocks rise a whopping 8% as seen in the...
Read MoreWhat Is a Certified Financial Planner™ Professional
A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, or CFP® practitioner, is a financial professional who meets the requirements established by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. While some professionals may...
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