Broker Check

Blog

What’s on our mind? You can read about it in our blog. Whether it’s ideas from the investment world or concepts from the financial industry, you can read about it here. And once in a while, we may throw in a movie review or some other surprise. So keep checking in. We’re glad to have you reading along.

Thursday, September 28, 2023

It seems like only yesterday we were celebrating the New Year, and now we’re in autumn! Before we know it, the holiday season will be upon us once again. It’s a reminder that time really does fly, especially as we get older.

Thursday, September 21, 2023

Every month, there are plenty of things to talk about regarding the markets. This month, however, I want to give you a quick preview of something that may happen next month: A government shutdown.

Monday, September 4, 2023

If you’re like many people, chances are you will wake up on Labor Day and make yourself a cup of coffee. It’s a time-honored tradition, performed unthinkingly by millions of people every single day.

Thursday, August 24, 2023

You are on a plane, currently descending gradually through the clouds. I’m on the plane, too. In fact, everyone in the country is on board. Welcome to Flight 2023 of U.S. Economy Airlines. We know our destination: A normal rate of inflation

Monday, July 17, 2023

As we get further into summer, I’ve had several friends tell me about their vacation plans. That got me thinking: what if people put as much time into planning their retirement as they do for their vacations?

Show All

Thursday, June 29, 2023

United we stand, divided we fall. It’s a phrase that’s been said many times throughout our nation’s history. The legendary Patrick Henry said it in the last speech he would ever give to the public...

Monday, June 19, 2023

Juneteenth carries a rich historical legacy. Although the Emancipation Proclamation stated “all shall be free”, it only applied to slaves in the Confederacy and would have no constitutional basis after the Civil War ended.

Friday, June 16, 2023

Recently, I came across a sweet story on social media that really put the holiday on my mind. In honor of all fathers, I’d like to share it with you...

Friday, June 9, 2023

When 2023 kicked off, there were two storylines every economist, analyst, and financial advisor were keeping an eye on. Two potential crises that could upend the markets...

Thursday, June 1, 2023

Sometimes, when you turn on the TV or see what’s trending on social media, it can feel like the world is awash in negativity and bad news. Sometimes, it’s easy to wonder what kind of world we’re leaving for the next generation...

Monday, May 29, 2023

Every Memorial Day, we, as Americans, take time to remember the soldiers who died serving our country. We lay flowers at their graves. We touch the monuments erected in their memory. Sometimes, we even walk on the same battlefields...

Friday, May 12, 2023

Happy Mother’s Day! A few weeks ago, I was thinking about what sort of flowers to send to the mothers in my life. In doing so, I started researching the deeper significance behind many types of flowers. Doing so really made me...

Tuesday, May 9, 2023

Have you ever noticed how so many idioms refer to the duality of life? Consider: There are two sides to every coin. Life is a double-edged sword. You can see the glass as half-full or as half-empty. Everycloud has a silver lining.Each...

Friday, April 7, 2023

Happy Easter!As you know, Eastertime is a very special one for people of varying faiths, cultures, and traditions. One thing that has always fascinated me, though, is how Easter symbolizes growth and renewal. That’s no surprise...

Tuesday, April 4, 2023

I recently came across the saying, “Bad news travels fast. Good news takes the scenic route.” Because it’s so easy to get discouraged when turning on the TV or seeing what’s trending online, the world can feel...

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

If you haven’t already contributed to an IRA (Individual Retirement Account), there’s still time to do so. Many people don’t know that the 2022 contribution deadline is actually April 18, 2023.1 However, if you...

Monday, March 20, 2023

The only bad question is the one left unasked. That’s the premise behind many of my recent posts. Each covers a different investing-related question that many people have but are afraid to ask. Last month, I answered the question...

Thursday, March 16, 2023

As you know, Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) was seized by federal regulators on Friday, March 10. It was not the first bank to collapse this month or the last. Two days earlier, Silvergate Bank, another California institution, announced it...

Wednesday, March 15, 2023

Sometimes, when you turn on the TV or see what’s trending on social media, it can feel like the world is awash in negativity and bad news. Sometimes, it’s easy to wonder what kind of world we’re leaving for the next...

Wednesday, February 22, 2023

Many people think that, as a financial advisor, I spend all day with my head buried in numbers, following the movement of the markets. And it’s true – that is a big part of what I do. But the most important part of my job...

Wednesday, February 22, 2023

Some time ago, I wrote a series of monthly letters called “Questions You Were Afraid to Ask.” Each letter answered a common question many investors have but feel uncomfortable asking. When I was young, I was taught that...

Monday, February 20, 2023

Happy Presidents’ Day!As you know, this holiday was originally set aside to honor George Washington’s birthday. But as Abraham Lincoln’s birthday is also around this time of year, many states began celebrating the two...

Thursday, February 16, 2023

“Here we go again.” That’s a line from Return of the Jedi, delivered by C-3PO just before he and his friends prepare to go out on another harrowing adventure. In the movie, poor C-3PO was referring to taking down the...

Tuesday, February 14, 2023

What do you think of when you think of Valentine’s Day? When I was young, I remember the first thing I thought of was how many valentines I would need for my elementary school class and how fun it would be to make my own...

Wednesday, February 8, 2023

A new year means new tax changes. While Congress didn’t pass any major tax reform last year, there are still updated tax provisions that could affect how much money you keep and how much goes to Uncle Sam. That’s because...

Tuesday, January 31, 2023

On December 23, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023. This is what’s known as an “omnibus spending bill.” (The word omnibus means that multiple measures were packaged into a single document.)...

Monday, January 16, 2023

Few individuals in the history of mankind have had the lasting impact Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has. He is one of the most influential individuals to have lived in the United States or elsewhere.  In 2011, a monument to Dr....

Tuesday, January 10, 2023

As you probably know, there is a lot of uncertainty about our economy today. Many economists have discussed the possibility of a recession in the near future, and given the volatility in the markets, many investors see the possibility,...

Tuesday, January 3, 2023

Every January, it’s customary to look back at the year that was. What were the highlights? What were the “lowlights”? What events will we always remember? Most importantly, what did we learn?So many things happened in...

Tuesday, December 20, 2022

Everyone has a favorite ornament on their Christmas tree. For some, it’s those red, shiny glass spheres that reflect the lights around them, bathing the room in a warm glow on Christmas Eve. Others prefer ribbons, beads, or candy...

Monday, December 19, 2022

Have you ever gotten a present you didn’t really want but knew that you kinda sorta needed? (For example, socks.) Just before Christmas, that’s exactly what the Federal Reserve decided to give the country. Except the...

Tuesday, December 13, 2022

Chanukah is coming up, and what better way to show my admiration for the holiday than sharing a sweet poem dedicated to my favorite Chanukah treat, the sufganiyah? I personally love to have so manydifferent treats during the season,...

Tuesday, November 22, 2022

Happy Thanksgiving!Recently, I’ve been thinking about how the concept of Thanksgiving has evolved over the centuries. Once upon a time, it was mainly about giving thanks for a successful harvest. Now, however, it has grown into...

Friday, November 18, 2022

November is a month for turkey, pumpkin pie, and cranberry sauce. For leaves piled so high, you could dive right into them. For crisp mornings, cold nights, and football. It’s also a month for shopping. I’m talking about...

Friday, November 11, 2022

To you, and especially to all who served happy Veterans Day!While thinking about the meaning behind the day, I came across an editorial in the Washington Post from a few years back. It was written by a veteran named J. Mark Jackson,...

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

October is an exciting month. It brings crisp, cool mornings, fall colors…and playoff baseball!As you know, I write about financial topics during most months of the year. But in honor of the season, for this month’s letter,...

Monday, October 10, 2022

With elections right around the corner, many clients have been asking me what the results could mean for the markets. So, without further ado, here are four things you should know about the relationship between midterms and markets.1....

Monday, September 12, 2022

You’ve probably noticed the volatility wreaking havoc in the markets over the past few weeks. To understand what’s going on, let me tell you a story.Imagine you are inside a fancy restaurant, waiting for your meal to be...

Thursday, September 1, 2022

Whether we can believe it or not, Labor Day is here.Kids have started back in school. The hotter days of this summer are (hopefully) moving past us. And, supposedly, we are now to avoid wearing white.This holiday is often the last big...

Tuesday, August 9, 2022

If I wanted to see if it was raining in, say, Zimbabwe, all I’d have to do is load my favorite weather app and I’d know within seconds. Similarly, if I wanted to find out if the UVM Catamounts wonlast night, all I’d...

Thursday, July 14, 2022

Recently, I came across a story I found to be so touching and delightful, I wanted to share it with you. In 1957, a boy named Howard dreamed of becoming an artist. Anxious for some tips on how to be one, he sent a letter to his...

Monday, July 4, 2022

When we were kids, one of the things we had to learn is that many people are different from us – and thatwe are different from other people. We all look different, dress different, talk different, think different,you name it....

Monday, June 27, 2022

After two years, the bear is back. That means it’s time to review three things every investor should know about how to take advantage – that’s right, advantage – of this bear market.As you probably know, a bear...

Sunday, June 19, 2022

Back in March, a train from Ukraine arrived in Poland. Inside were dozens of tired, hungry children fleeing the war. I have no idea what the kids expected to see when they arrived at the station, but the sight that greeted them was...

Sunday, June 19, 2022

Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom, marking the day when slavery came to an end in the United States. The observance of this holiday, formally recognized by the state of Texas in 1980, has continued to spread to the rest of the...

Wednesday, June 15, 2022

The bear is back. On Monday, June 13, investors began the week by digesting a new spate of bad – albeit familiar – news: Inflation continues to surge. In response, the markets sank swiftly and sharply, pushing the S&P 500...

Friday, May 27, 2022

Tuesday, May 10, 2022

Sunday, May 8, 2022

Thursday, April 28, 2022

Tuesday, April 26, 2022

Thursday, April 14, 2022

Tuesday, April 12, 2022

Friday, March 25, 2022

Monday, March 21, 2022

Thursday, March 17, 2022

Friday, March 11, 2022

Tuesday, March 8, 2022

Friday, February 25, 2022

Tuesday, February 22, 2022

Thursday, February 17, 2022

Monday, February 14, 2022

Tuesday, February 1, 2022

Wednesday, January 26, 2022

Monday, January 17, 2022

Wednesday, January 12, 2022

Wednesday, December 22, 2021

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

September 21, 1897. A man named Francis Pharcellus Church arrived to work at The New York Sun, one of the nation’s leading newspapers at the time. As the paper’s head editorial writer, Church no doubt assumed he’d be...

Tuesday, December 7, 2021

About six months ago, I decided to share some lifestyle ideas I’ve been pondering this year. There are many habits and behaviors that, while not directly related to finance, can spell the difference between reaching your goals or...

Friday, December 3, 2021

Have you ever received a gift you didn’t actually want? Well, investors got just such a gift recently – the kind nobody wants. I’m not talking about an ugly sweater or a pair of socks. I’m referring to a new...

Thursday, November 25, 2021

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you have a wonderful day spent with family, friends, and great food. As you know, Thanksgiving is a time for reflecting on all that we have to be thankful for. It occurred to me the other day that, as your...

Thursday, November 11, 2021

Happy Veterans Day! As you know, Veterans Day is a chance to honor those who have served our country. Of course, we always hope that when soldiers return home from defending our country, they are rewarded for their heroism. Sometimes,...

Tuesday, November 9, 2021

About five months ago, I decided to share some lifestyle changes I’ve been pondering this year. There are many habits and behaviors that, while not directly related to finance, can spell the difference between reaching your goals...

Thursday, October 28, 2021

Spooky season is upon us! When I look around, I see leaves changing (even they are getting in the spirit!), I feel a bite to the once warm air, and I know that soon there will be things that go bump in the night. Like Christmas and...

Friday, October 15, 2021

As a financial planner, my passion centers around helping you build and preserve the wealth that will carry you into retirement. It is for this purpose that I am writing this blog. You see, October is National Breast Cancer Awareness...

Tuesday, October 12, 2021

Recently, I decided to share some lifestyle tips I’ve been pondering this year. There are many habits and behaviors that, while not directly related to finance, can spell the difference between reaching your goals or not. But in...

Friday, October 1, 2021

In the 245 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the United States has never once defaulted on its debt. But all that could change on October 18th if Congress does not raise the debt ceiling. Should that happen,...

Thursday, September 23, 2021

When you’re a kid, there are certain birthdays you can’t help but look forward to. When you’re sixteen and can drive, for example. When you turn eighteen and can vote. When you turn twenty-one and can…well, you...

Tuesday, September 21, 2021

As you probably know, volatility has returned to the markets recently. To explain why I want you to imagine you’re playing a game of chess. Visualize this: You’re fifteen moves in, and all your pieces seem to be on good...

Wednesday, September 15, 2021

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. On it, those of the Jewish faith withdraw from the world of our daily activity, refrain from eating and drinking, and spend the day examining our deeds and...

Friday, September 10, 2021

It was 20 years ago tomorrow when Stanley Praimnath saw the plane coming right at him. The morning of September 11, 2001, was as clear, bright, and beautiful as could possibly be in downtown Manhattan. On that day, Stanley worked as a...

Tuesday, September 7, 2021

About two months ago, I decided to share some lifestyle ideas I’ve had on my mind this year. You see, there are certain habits and behaviors that, while not directly related to finance, can spell the difference between reaching...

Thursday, August 26, 2021

If you think about it, almost every major holiday centers on gratitude. With New Years, we express gratitude for new opportunities and a fresh start. With Valentine’s, we express gratitude for our significant other....

Thursday, August 5, 2021

It may sound strange to hear a financial advisor say this but achieving the things you care about most requires more than just money. There are certain habits and behaviors that, while not directly related to finance, can spell the...

Thursday, July 22, 2021

At some point in our lives we look back, usually when we start having children of our own, and realize that we wouldn’t be where we are today if not for our parents. While it seems obvious, most of us don’t have the time to...

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

Pandemics don’t end just because we want them to. Investors were reminded of that in a big way on Monday when the Dow plunged over 700 points.1 It’s the most significant single-day drop since October of last year....

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

When it comes to helping people reach their goals, most financial advisors tend to focus on areas like investing, tax planning, and other money-related topics. I am no exception. After all, these things are critically important if you...

Monday, July 12, 2021

I think by now all of you know how much I love the history of holidays and how that reverberates for us today. July 4th, Independence Day, is no different. This July 4th, we get to celebrate our independence from the Covid pandemic as...

Thursday, June 17, 2021

Father's Day is fast approaching, and the time to show appreciation is officially upon us. As most of you know, this will be my first time celebrating Father's Day since my own father passed away. I am grateful to have learned so much...

Tuesday, June 1, 2021

Name, rank, service number, and date of birth. That was the only information Donald Cook ever told his captors. Donald Gilbert Cook. Captain, U.S. Marines. August 9, 1934. Even when he was beaten, even when he was starving, even when...

Tuesday, May 25, 2021

Everyone knows that April showers bring May flowers. But this year, the saying could be, April tranquility brings May volatility. Okay, maybe that saying won’t catch on. But still: Up one day, down the next, flat overall —...

Monday, May 17, 2021

Thankfully, Tina has returned from her Grand Canyon rafting trip and I am ecstatic to have her back in action. I wanted to take a moment and remind everyone to review their options for UVM pension plans. As we know, the previous UVM...

Tuesday, May 11, 2021

Unfortunately, I failed to mention that last week was also Teacher Appreciation Week. My sister-in-law Nicole, who is a special education teacher, reminded me of my slip-up after receiving the Mother's Day/Nurses Day reminder email....

Thursday, May 6, 2021

With the recent passing of my father, I have been giving a lot of thought to the people that cared for him at the end of his life. It's natural to reflect on these things when big life changes happen and our course is altered in some...

Monday, May 3, 2021

I want to begin by saying thank you for the condolences I have received in light of my fathers passing. I am extremely grateful for your support and it has helped tremendously. Tina will be leaving on a white water rafting trip in the...

Monday, April 26, 2021

Unfortunately, I have sad news to report this Monday. Yesterday, my father passed away in Los Angeles. I am deeply saddened but reflective. My father was an extraordinary man who taught me the value of hard work and how to truly...

Thursday, April 22, 2021

In honor of Earth Day 2021, I am bringing you some history about how Earth Day came to be, where it is now, and where it is going. As a father, I am passionate about recognizing Earth Day, every day. I strive in everything I do to...

Thursday, April 1, 2021

By now, we are all pretty familiar with the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, President Biden’s first stimulus package. Many of you may have received your stimulus checks already. There are a few points that are common knowledge...

Thursday, February 25, 2021

Almost 250 years ago, Thomas Jefferson wrote: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty...

Thursday, February 11, 2021

Happy Valentine’s Day! Because of the pandemic, this year’s holiday may feel different than usual. I expect there will be fewer people eating at candlelit restaurants or cuddling in the back of a movie theater. Most of us...

Friday, January 29, 2021

You may have heard the news about stocks for certain companies suddenly ballooning, quickly going from lunch money prices to several hundred dollars a share. In one case, the shares rose over 1700% since December 2020.1 So, what gives?...

Thursday, January 28, 2021

Refinancing your home. It seems like every month, some neighbor or family member is telling you about how they just refinanced. Billboards and television ads are constantly promoting it. But is it the right thing for you? The answer:...

Monday, January 18, 2021

This month, America honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.As we look around today, we see manifestations of that legacy in the form of stronger, more diverse communities, in the continued fight for equality, and in the...

Monday, January 4, 2021

Another year is in the history books, and what a year it was. There are few people, I imagine, who are sad to see the year 2020 go – mainly because it felt like ten years rolled into one. Yes, the universe threw a lot at us this...

Thursday, December 24, 2020

“And she brought forth her firstborn Son and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” - Luke 2:7 Every Christmas, we celebrate this moment. Two thousand...

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

In 2009, President Barack Obama and the First Lady welcomed leaders from the Jewish Community to the white house. While gathered in the grand foyer, President Obama had this to say: It was more than 2,000 years ago, in the ancient city...

Friday, October 30, 2020

Making long-term decisions while dealing with short-term challenges. It’s the acid test of being a successful investor. It’s also a test every investor will be taking for the rest of 2020. On Monday, October 26, the stock...

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves...

Friday, September 4, 2020

Labor Day is coming up! Normally, we’re used to celebrating it with parades, barbecues, and sometimes, fireworks. Unfortunately, for this Labor Day, we will have to go without the traditional celebrations. But I think I can speak...

Monday, July 20, 2020

As you know, the coronavirus has made certain aspects of life more difficult. Work, education, and leisure have all been transformed due to the need for social distancing. Under such conditions, we can hardly blame anyone for throwing...

Saturday, July 4, 2020

Happy Independence Day! To commemorate our nation’s birthday, I’d like to tell you a story about a young man you’ve probably never heard of before. His name was Harry Burn, and it was 100 years ago this summer when he...

Friday, June 19, 2020

Early Happy Father’s Day! As you know, this special day isn’t just a chance to buy Dad some new cologne or a card. It’s an opportunity to reflect on what fathers mean to us. The things they’ve taught, the values...

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

You’re on the highway, drumming your fingers along the steering wheel and humming to the music on your radio when suddenly you look at the speedometer. Woah! You’re driving 83 miles per hour – and the speed limit is...

Friday, May 22, 2020

In honor of Memorial Day, I’d like to tell you a story about a man named Ben Salomon. Ben Salomon was a dentist. He went to school, got his degree, and started his own dental practice at the tender age of 23. The most trying...

Thursday, January 12, 2017

What does a hero look like? What actually makes someone a hero? I’ve been pondering those questions lately, and in doing so, came across a story I’d like to share with you. The story of the Man with the Golden Arm. No,...