Blog

During the pandemic, as many have been forced to remain at home, some analysts have traced a rise in day-trading activity, much of it coming from amateur investors who are using their forced quarantine time to indulge their speculative interests.

In our financial and investment counseling work with clients, we often use historical research to provide context and background for current market and economic conditions. In fact, when we are looking at almost any current situation or problem, it helps to remember the lessons we can learn from history.

For decades, buying gold or gold-based funds has been the classic hedge for investors who either fear worsening inflation or extreme disruption in the markets or the economy.

I recently heard someone use the phrase, “The map is not the territory.” This is an interesting way of stating the truth that looking at a map of an area doesn’t tell you everything about the area. For example, a map can’t tell you what it’s like to drive a particular stretch of highway on a rainy day or at night.

In our work with clients, it is very common for us to recommend that most people increase their rate of savings.

Finding the right work-life balance

The “work first, life second” mantra guides far too many of us these days—from driven entrepreneurs to ladder-climbing professionals to overcommitted parents.

How many times, lately, have you seen or heard someone say something like, “This has been a crazy year”? Though this may seem like a gross understatement, the truth of it cannot be disputed: The year 2020 will surely go down in history as one of the most challenging single periods any of us have ever lived through.

Those who received extensions may have just filed their 2019 tax returns, but believe it or not, it’s already time to start thinking about those returns that will come due in April 2021. A slightly more positive fact is that in this very unusual year, there are some unusual opportunities that could save you money on taxes, especially in future years.

About this time every four years, many investors begin to wonder, “Which candidate will be better for the markets?” It’s a natural question, especially when almost every candidate touts his or her platform as the one voters should choose if they want to enjoy prosperity.

Considering the rather remarkable comeback of the equity markets from their drastic drop this past spring, it would be hard to make the case that we are in a bear market presently.