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.
Q4 Financial Checklist
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.
Read MoreGovernment Shutdown
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.
Read MoreA Single Cup of Coffee
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.
Read MoreComing in for a Landing
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
Read MoreThe Ultimate Vacation
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?
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The Liberty Song
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...
Read MoreHappy Juneteenth!
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.
Read MoreHappy Fathers Day!
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...
Read MoreMarket Update: Crisis Averted
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...
Read MoreThe Scenic Route
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...
Read MoreThe Springs of Inspiration
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...
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Celebrating Mother's Day
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...
Read MoreThe Duality of the Markets
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...
Read MoreHappy Easter - A Season for Growth!
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...
Read MoreThe Scenic Route - Sharing Positivity
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...
Read MoreThere’s still time to contribute to your IRA!
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...
Read MoreQuestions You Were Afraid to Ask: Bond Terms
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...
Read MoreA Run on the Bank - Situation Update
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...
Read MoreThe Scenic Route
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...
Read MoreThe Art of Conversation
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...
Read MoreQuestions You Were Afraid to Ask: Bonds
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...
Read MoreHappy President's Day!
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...
Read MoreReturn of the Debt Ceiling
“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...
Read MoreShare the Love!
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...
Read MoreTax Season 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...
Read MoreBreaking down SECURE Act 2.0
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.)...
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Celebrating MLK Day
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....
Read MoreRecession 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,...
Read More2022: Year in Review
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...
Read MoreThe Christmas Pickle
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...
Read MoreChristmas With the Fed
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...
Read MoreAn Ode to Sufganiyots
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,...
Read MoreBert's Thanksgiving
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...
Read MoreBlack Friday Redux
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...
Read MoreWhat it Means to Be a Veteran
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,...
Read MoreFor All You Baseball Fans: Casey at the Bat
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,...
Read MoreFour Things You Should Know About the Midterms
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....
Read MoreA Tricky Recipe
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...
Read MoreHappy Labor Day!
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...
Read MoreThe Recession Question
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...
Read MoreYou Took Me Seriously
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...
Read MoreThe Story Behind the Song: Yankee Doodle
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....
Read MoreThree Things to Know About Bear Markets
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...
Read MoreHappy Father's Day
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...
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Celebrating Juneteenth
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...
Read MoreThe Bear is Back 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...
Read MoreTax Updates - What You Should Know When Filing Your 2021 Return
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Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.
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...
Read MorePart 6 - Wealth: It's Not Just About Money
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...
Read MoreWhat does the Omicron Variant mean for the markets and economy?
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...
Read MoreHappy Thanksgiving!
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...
Read MoreHappy Veteran's Day
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,...
Read MorePart 5 - Wealth: It's Not Just About Money
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...
Read MoreHalloween Traditions
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...
Read MoreBreast Cancer Awareness Month
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...
Read MorePart 4 - Wealth: It's Not Just About Money
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...
Read MoreAnother Day, Another Debt Ceiling Crisis
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,...
Read MoreRetirement Planning Milestones
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...
Read MoreFinding the Right Move
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...
Read MoreYom Kippur: A Time for Reflection
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...
Read MoreHonoring September 11th
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...
Read MorePart 3 - Wealth: It's Not Just About Money
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...
Read MoreCelebrating Labor Day - The History Behind the Long Weekend
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....
Read MorePart 2 - Wealth: It's Not Just About Money
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...
Read MoreCelebrating Parent's Day - Sunday, July 25, 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...
Read MoreThe Delta Variant and The Markets: What You Should Know
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....
Read MoreWealth: It's Not Just About Money - Part 1
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...
Read MoreCelebrating Independence Day
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...
Read MoreWeekend of Appreciation: Father's Day and Juneteenth National Independence Day
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...
Read MoreName, rank, service number, and date of birth.
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...
Read MoreAreas of Uncertainty
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 —...
Read MoreUVM Medical Center Pension Plans
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...
Read MoreAppreciation
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....
Read MoreTaking Time to Honor Those Who Care for Us
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...
Read MoreShowing Gratitude
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...
Read MoreSad news to report
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...
Read MoreHonoring Earth Day
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...
Read MoreUnderstanding the American Rescue Plan Act
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...
Read MoreThe Importance of Black History Month
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...
Read MoreSix ways to make this Valentine's Day one you'll never forget!
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...
Read MoreHow the Internet Gamed Wall Street Short Sellers
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?...
Read MoreRefinancing Your Home
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:...
Read MoreThis MLK day, keep the dream alive
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...
Read MoreHappy New Year: We Did It
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...
Read MoreRoom in the Inn
“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...
Read MoreWhite House Chanukah
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...
Read MoreMaking LongTerm Decisions While Dealing With Short-Term Challenges
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...
Read MoreA More Perfect Union
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...
Read MoreWhy Labor Day is worth celebrating - especially during the COVID-19 pandemic
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...
Read MoreThe Difference Between Ordinary And Extraordinary Is That Little Extra
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...
Read MoreHappy Independence Day
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...
Read MoreThe Best Man I Ever Knew
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...
Read MoreCoronavirus Market Update
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...
Read MoreThe Medal Of Honor
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...
Read MoreEveryday Heroes - The Man With The Golden Arm
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,...
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