The Art and Science of Asset Allocation

by Steven Sundberg on
Many investors have heard the term “asset allocation” at one time or another. From the first time we sign up for a 401k plan at the office all the way through the conversations we have with financial planners in retirement we are bombarded with messages about the importance of proper asset allocation.

What are your Portfolio Performance Expectations?

by Steven Sundberg on
In the story of Alice in Wonderland, Alice arrives at a fork in the road and wonders aloud which road to take. A smiling Cheshire Cat appears and asks her what her destination is, to which she replies, “I don’t know.” The toothy cat then proffers the only possible response, “Well, then it doesn’t matter.”
If you’re over the age of 62 and in need of some extra cash flow in your retirement, you may be considering a reverse mortgage. Borrowing money from your home equity might sound like a good idea, but is it actually a wise move financially? Here are some things to consider when making the decision to take out a reverse mortgage on your home.

Establishing Goals for Your Estate Plan

by Steven Sundberg on

Most people think estate planning is only for wealthy people.  Certainly, the 55% of Americans who died without a will thought so, even though all of their estates ended up in probate court subject to the laws of the state.  Sadly, the surviving families were thrust into a situation that resulted in unnecessary distress, expense and, for many of them, devastating financial consequence

Intelligent Options for College Savings

by Steven Sundberg on

If you are the parents or grandparents of a child of any age chances are good that the escalating costs of higher education are on your mind.

Are My Social Security Benefits Taxable?

by Steven Sundberg on

The quick answer is “it depends.”  But, for the 33 percent of retirees who now rely more heavily on their Social Security benefits to sustain their lifestyle, the answer takes on even more significance.  Generally, your income from Social Security is not taxable on its own; but when it’s combined with other sources of income for tax reporting purposes, a porti

One of the best illustrated instances of indecision occurs in the story of Alice in Wonderland in which Alice comes to a fork in the road and must choose a path to continue her journey. She seeks the advice of grinning Cheshire cat which appears out of nowhere.

Are Investors Their Own Worst Enemy?

by Steven Sundberg on

When it comes to investing, people can be their own worst enemy. Nearly all of the mistakes made by investors can be attributed to their behavior which is typically dictated by their emotions. Fear and greed have a way of driving even the most rational people to making investing decision which is why most investors typically under perform the markets.

Should You Retire at the Same Time As Your Spouse?

by Steven Sundberg on

If you and your spouse are making plans to retire, you’re probably wondering whether it’s a good idea to retire at the same time. Many couples go through the same thought process and, in fact, one in four couples quit their jobs within a year of each other. But retirement is a decision that should...

It’s a presidential election year and with that comes the invariable stock market correlations seeking to predict election results or forecast the market’s direction.  On one hand, the performance of the stock market during the two months leading up to the election has been somewhat of a predictor of who will win the race.