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Weekly Market Digest: What Does the ‘Phase One’ Trade Deal Mean for the Economy?
We are now into the third week of the new decade and so far, so good it seems. The first few days of the year would have made you think otherwise with terms like WWIII being thrown around amongst heightened unrest between the U.S. and Iran, but it appears we can go...
The 401k Rollover – Is It Right For You?
Leaving your job is a BIG life change. So, we don’t blame you if your 401k isn’t immediately top-of-mind. Nonetheless, thinking about a 401k rollover is something that we really urge you not to forget. Don't Forget Your 401k Rollover Decision The 401k rollover is a...
Quarterly Market Commentary: Will the Bull Market Lose Steam in 2020?
Each quarter, our investment team comments on what happened in the markets and the economy over the last quarter and looks forward at what the next period might bring. Fourth quarter gains punctuated a big year for stocks and a remarkable decade in capital markets....
5 Tips for Filing Taxes for Freelance Work
In today’s “gig” economy, a growing number of people are leaving the 9-to-5 corporate grind and choosing instead to work as full-time freelancers. While being a freelancer can be an amazing career choice as it offers flexibility and lets you be your own boss, there...
Weekly Market Digest: What Will the Next Decade Bring?
We kicked off the first full work week of 2020 with plenty of geo-political controversy. Tensions flared after the U.S. killed Iranian General Soleimani in a drone strike, leading Iran to retaliate with a missile attack on two U.S. bases in Iraq. This fueled fears the...
The Right Way to Deal with Stock Market Volatility
The past year was largely positive for stock market investors as major market indices notched record highs on a regular basis. Between the highs, however, were some dizzying drops, like in late July and early August when the S&P 500 experienced declines of nearly...
What Moved the Markets in December?
The Trade War Stocks rose in December, punctuating a big year for stocks and a remarkable decade in capital markets. The trade conflict between the US and China finished 2019 on a positive note, with a “phase one” deal being agreed to in principle. While productive...
Personal Capital Named #3 on RIA Channel’s List of Top Wealth Managers
We’re pleased to announce that Personal Capital was ranked #3 on RIA Channel’s list of the Top 100 Wealth Managers in 2019, as featured on Forbes.com. The ranking is based on size and growth in assets under management. To learn more about the Top 100 Wealth Managers...
Roth 401k vs. Roth IRA – How Are They Different?
Roth 401k vs. Roth IRA: How Are These Accounts Different, and Which Option is Better? We consistently hear from clients that saving for retirement tops the list of their most important financial goals. So it’s a big decision, and a highly personal one, to determine...
How Do ESG Ratings Agencies Work – And Why Should You Care?
If you are a socially-conscious investor, you may wonder who determines which companies are deemed “socially responsible” and what criteria is used. After all, one person’s view of social responsibility often differs radically from another person’s view. Socially...
How Will the SECURE Act Impact You?
What You Should Know About the SECURE Act On December 20th, The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act of 2019, was signed into law by President Trump as part of a late-cycle appropriations bill. SECURE is the product of a bipartisan effort...
How Does Socially Responsible Investing Impact Your Investment Portfolio?
Socially responsible investing is a hot trend for individual investors right now. In fact, according to Morgan Stanley’s Institute for Sustainable Investing’s 2019 “Sustainable Signals” survey: 75% of asset managers say their firms have adopted sustainable investing...
Weekly Market Digest: What to Expect in the Next Decade
December marked a strong finish to a big up year for stocks and a remarkable decade of a recession-free US economy and a bull market led by US growth stocks. The new year began in choppy fashion, with stocks finishing roughly flat in an abbreviated week. Stimulus from...
How to Max Out Your 401k in 2020
4 Things to Keep in Mind if You're Trying to Max Out Your 401k No matter how much you might make, $19,500 is generally considered a good chunk of change. It’s about the cost of a base model 2018 Honda Civic. For some, it’s the price tag on a first-class luxury...
Guide to End-of-Year Tax Planning
The end of the year usually is a popular time for folks to open their hearts and their wallets. While most of us don’t give just for the tax benefits, there are some strategies you can take advantage of that will maximize the impact of your gift, while also potentially delivering some tax savings benefits to you and your family.
Weekly Market Digest: What You Need to Know About the SECURE Act
US Markets pushed towards a strong finish to 2019 this week, with only 2 more business days left in the year. Gold had a good week as well, while bond yields fell. On Friday December 20th, the SECURE Act was signed into law, marking the second major tax legislation to...
How To Set Financial Resolutions You Can Actually Keep
As the end of the year (and the decade!) approaches, many of us are starting to think of New Year’s resolutions for ourselves. Around 60% of Americans make resolutions each year, but a mere 8% actually keep those resolutions. Why? Because it’s inherently difficult to...
When is the Best Time of Year to Retire?
When is the right time to retire? We spend decades saving for a financially secure retirement, so when the time comes, it can be exciting, emotional, and a little bit scary. It's a big decision to decide when to retire, because all of these emotions in addition to...
Weekly Market Digest: A Decade in Review
It was a strong week for U.S. equities that shrugged off impeachment proceedings to notch broad gains and new all-time highs. The biggest news of the week was that President Donald Trump is now only the third U.S. president to be impeached. Consistent with party...
How to Set Financial Expectations Around the Holidays
Why it's Important to Talk About Spending Over the Holidays The holidays can be a time of great joy — or a time of great stress. For many families, one of the biggest stresses of the holidays has to do with finances. Many people feel pressure during the holidays to...
Avoid a Spending Hangover: 6 Steps for Creating a Holiday Budget
The holidays are a time of giving — and also spending. Americans plan to spend an average of $1,048 on holiday shopping this year, and in their desire to give freely, some people end up spending more than they intend to on holiday gifts. According to a survey...
Weekly Market Digest: UK Elections, Fed Meetings, and Trade
It was a newsworthy week with meetings from both the Fed and the ECB, a general election in the UK, the world’s largest IPO in history, and a preliminary trade deal struck between the U.S. and China. Ultimately, the progress on trade was enough to send global equities...
5 Key Estate Planning Documents
For more on estate planning, read our free "Guide to Legacy & Estate Planning." Read the Guide. Estate planning is a complex process, and we always recommend that people consult a professional estate planning attorney for help with their specific situation....
Weekly Market Digest: The Importance of Remaining Disciplined
This week could be described as volatile. Markets started off the week in the red and continued to trend that way on trade uncertainty until Friday when positive economic data was released with regards to unemployment and wage growth. Weekly Returns S&P 500: 3146...
What Moved the Markets in November?
The Trade War Stocks marched higher in November, driven by optimism for a “Phase One” trade deal with China and indications suggesting continued accommodative monetary policy from the Fed. Regarding trade, we view signs of cooperation between China and the US as a...
4 Tax Management Tips for Investors
The end of the year is a good time to start thinking about your tax strategy, and there are several moves that you can make prior to year-end that will put you in the best possible position for 2020. In this article, we'll dive into 4 tax management tips that most...
Weekly Market Digest: Markets Post Strong Returns in October and November
Optimism for a “phase one” trade deal with China drove stocks higher, punctuating a strong November. Early in the week, China increased penalties on intellectual property violations, though there was little detail. Enthusiasm for an agreement was tempered later in the...
A Primer On Estate Planning Using Trusts
When you think of a trust, do you think of the ultra-wealthy? If you do, then you're not alone! Many people conjure up images of the stereotypical "trust fund baby" when they hear the word. But in reality, trusts can be a great tool for a large number of people who...
Weekly Market Digest: Social Platforms and Political Advertising Are in the Spotlight
U.S. Markets declined modestly this week along with bond yields during a relatively quiet week of trading. Impeachment inquires continued throughout the week and the back and forth between the US and China on trade negotiations continued. A missed deadline on...
3 Security Tips to Help Protect You During the Holidays
We are sliding headfirst into the holidays, and while that may mean it’s the most wonderful time of the year for some of us, it’s certainly a joyful season for one group: fraudsters. ‘Tis the season for arguing with family over politics, gaining extra...
