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Expert advice for all walks of life

As a Fee-Only advisor my fiduciary duty is to you alone.
Professional, practical, achievable solutions for your peace of mind

Expert advice for all walks of life

As a Fee-Only advisor my fiduciary duty is to you alone.
Professional, practical, achievable solutions for your peace of mind

Expert advice for all walks of life

As a Fee-Only advisor my fiduciary duty is to you alone.
Professional, practical, achievable solutions for your peace of mind

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Investing

3 Lessons from Ancient Rome’s 3rd Century Inflation Crisis

Submitted by Concierge Financial Planning, LLC on May 22nd, 2022

 

Inflation. At time of writing the year over year figure is reported to be 8.3%.  While (hopefully) not an unfamiliar concept to those planning for retirement, these days the word is on everybody’s tongue. Even for those who make the effort to avoid news, the county’s inflation issue announces itself everywhere in the form of rising prices. Only the most price-oblivious of shoppers could fail to notice, and even they may be induced to do a double take when they see their favorite products seemingly shrinking on the shelves. I’m not an economic expert so while I’ll spare you my hot take on the current situation, I will share an important historical observation. Inflation is nothing new. Inflation is a natural, and in fact inescapable, part of a monetary system. So, give the Fed (or is it Putin?) a break and cast your blame upon the Lydians, the ancient Anatolian people, who, in the 7th century BCE, became minters of the first known coinage.

 

Tags:
  • Current Events
  • Investing
  • Retirement
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Mom, I’m thinking of buying GameStop

Submitted by Concierge Financial Planning, LLC on March 18th, 2021

 

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“Mom, I’m thinking of buying GameStop stock—what do you think?” asked my 28-year-old novice-investor son, Peter, on a recent January morning. “I’ve been reading about it on Reddit, DFV and I think there is an opportunity there.”

My boys have always loved GameStop. I remember taking them at midnight for game releases when they were tweens. But that was then, and this is now: “GameStop?!” I replied. “No way, that’s like buying Blockbuster and we all know how that ended.” After all, does anyone go into a physical store to buy video games anymore?

Tags:
  • Behavioral Finance
  • Current Events
  • Investing
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Your Covid or Retirement Risk Tolerance—Which is Higher?

Submitted by Concierge Financial Planning, LLC on December 23rd, 2020

 

“I’m not comfortable even eating outdoors at restaurants,” said my husband, Peter, right after returning from a Home Depot Trip. As we have all noticed, everyone has a different Covid risk tolerance, and it’s frequently inconsistent. It’s much the same with risk tolerance when considering investments and asset allocation. In both, personal comfort isn’t all that matters and often an expert opinion, as well as historical research, can save someone from themselves.

Tags:
  • Behavioral Finance
  • Current Events
  • Financial Planning Fundamentals
  • Investing
  • Retirement
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Do Nothing

Submitted by Concierge Financial Planning, LLC on April 23rd, 2020

 

“Ann, you’d be so proud of me!” exclaimed Fred. “I haven’t done a thing with my investments—absolutely nothing!” In fact, I was impressed. Fred is a client with a history of losing his nerve during market declines and making poor emotionally-driven investment decisions. Over the past 10 weeks, Covid-19 has made it impossible for anyone, regardless of their risk tolerance, to hold on tight and not question the markets. The fact that Fred internalized my advice and was not panic selling was remarkable.

Tags:
  • Behavioral Finance
  • Current Events
  • Financial Planning Fundamentals
  • Investing
  • Retirement
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The Sweet Spot for Roth Conversions

Submitted by Concierge Financial Planning, LLC on February 17th, 2020

 

 

“Should I be converting to a Roth IRA?” asked John recently during our Getting Acquainted Meeting. His is the second most frequently asked question I’ve had over the past six months from both existing and potential clients, so I wasn’t surprised. The media has been focusing on the Roth conversion over the past year and everyone is wondering how they can take advantage of the opportunity.

Tags:
  • Financial Planning Fundamentals
  • Investing
  • IRA/401K/403B
  • Retirement
  • Saving
  • Tax
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My sixteen-year-old has $82,000 in retirement savings

Submitted by Concierge Financial Planning, LLC on July 8th, 2019

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My sixteen-year-old daughter is off to a great start in her retirement savings and she has only been working for two summers. No, she isn’t a child TV star or fashion model—Judy is a lifeguard and swim instructor at a day camp. Due to her earned income, she is eligible to contribute to a Roth IRA which she did to the tune of $1,000 last summer and $2,000 this year. Her contributions are invested 100% in a diversified equity mutual fund. Assuming no other contributions to her Roth IRA and a 7% annual average rate of return on her investments, she will have approximately $82,0000 when she retires at age 65.

 

Tags:
  • Financial Planning Fundamentals
  • Investing
  • IRA/401K/403B
  • Retirement
  • Saving
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What I Learned Getting Stiffed by Sears

Submitted by Concierge Financial Planning, LLC on February 25th, 2019

 

“Well, that’s fitting as everything is always 50% off at Sears” dead-panned my husband when I told him that I sold my Sears bond for half of its face value.

I had been holding an unsecured note for three years, long before Sears filed for bankruptcy.  Unbeknownst to me, my bond had moved into default status and so I decided to sell it straight away rather than wait to see how much I would eventually get for it. Estimates ranged from 30-60 cents for each dollar of face-value, so I feel lucky to have received 50% without waiting.

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  • Current Events
  • Financial Planning Fundamentals
  • Investing
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Your Financial Advisor is No Genius

Submitted by Concierge Financial Planning, LLC on October 2nd, 2018

 

“Ann, it's great to see you!” exclaimed Sally as she burst into my office for her annual review. Like many of my clients Sally enthusiastically gives me credit for the past year's financial markets performance. I first did Sally’s plan 9 years ago and she has been this effusive whenever we have our check-in meetings. Although I’d like to take personal credit for the financial markets performance since 2009, I usually spend the first 30 minutes of our time together explaining to her why I’m no genius.

 

Tags:
  • Behavioral Finance
  • Financial Planning Fundamentals
  • Investing
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The World Cup of Financial Planning

Submitted by Concierge Financial Planning, LLC on June 24th, 2018

 

The World Cup is off to a great start. No sooner had I filled out my statistically based bracket, and the underdog Mexican team defeated the favored Germans. The revelry in Mexico allegedly set off a small earthquake! As you watch this exciting international contest this summer, keep in mind that the FIFA teams can teach us about more than just soccer.

Tags:
  • Financial Planning Fundamentals
  • Insurance
  • Investing
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Do Annuities Belong in Your Retirement Portfolio?

Submitted by Concierge Financial Planning, LLC on May 18th, 2018

 

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