Investing in Today's Economy

Financial Services experts share relevant insights and ideas.

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Investing with a Purpose

Paul Fair's picture

Each client presents a unique set of circumstances, so our first priority is to establish a professional relationship based on mutual respect and trust.  We listen carefully to gain an understanding of the client’s concerns, preferences, and objectives so we can provide advice and guidance that is tailored to their individual situation.  Together, we explore the goals, risk tolerance, objectives, and current financial position of the client.  We then co

Giving It Away to Charity: A Guide to Philanthropy

“Philanthropy” is defined as the act of making gifts of personal resources to charities. These resources can include donations of one’s time, energy, money and property. Millions of Americans perform simple acts of philanthropy, such as donating clothing to homeless shelters. This article focuses on how individuals can plan philanthropic activities so that they can help their favorite charities, while maximizing the advantages of their philanthropy – from an estate- and tax-planning perspective – for themselves.

Tax Benefits of Charitable Giving
 

How to Look Behind Mutual Fund Performance Numbers

Dean Fox's picture

 If you are a mutual fund investor, it’s hard to resist peeking at those performance reviews published every year — the ones that list the top-performing funds. Perhaps you’re hoping that your fund will be among them, or you may be seeking new investment ideas. In either case, mutual fund performance statistics can be useful.

The Value of Diversification

We’ve all heard the warnings about “putting all your eggs in one basket.” When it comes to diversifying your investments, that adage is not only relevant: It could mean the difference between financial success and failure.

Discover the Benefits of an Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust

Dean Fox's picture

The affluent have always had access to strategies designed to help them pass money to their heirs with minimal tax obligations. One of the most common estate tax planning strategies is an Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILIT). An ILIT is easy to understand, relatively easy to implement, and in many situations, avoids the need to incorporate other wealth transfer or estate tax reduction techniques.

ILITs perform two basic functions. They can:

Giving It Away to Charity: A Guide to Philanthropy

“Philanthropy” is defined as the act of making gifts of personal resources to charities. These resources can include donations of one’s time, energy, money and property. Millions of Americans perform simple acts of philanthropy, such as donating clothing to homeless shelters. This article focuses on how individuals can plan philanthropic activities so that they can help their favorite charities, while maximizing the advantages of their philanthropy – from an estate- and tax-planning perspective – for themselves.

 

Take the Right Steps to Protect Your Retirement Income

Dean Fox's picture

Saving for retirement: It used to be something you could count on your employer to do for you. But not anymore. Thanks to the increasing use of 401(k) and other types of contributory retirement plans over the past 30 years, the percentage of private-sector workers who qualify for the guaranteed retirement income provided by an employer-sponsored pension plan has dropped dramatically.

Bricks for Building Your College Funding Plan

College costs continue to skyrocket – at a pace that far exceeds the rate of inflation. But there is a bright side to planning for college expenses, and it’s getting a little brighter all the time – thanks to federal tax breaks that can make paying for college more affordable. The key point to remember is that you can create a college funding plan brick by brick, by combining a variety of investment accounts, tax benefits and financial aid sources. Here is a quick guide to get you going:

Investing with a Purpose

Paul Fair's picture

Each client presents a unique set of circumstances, so our first priority is to establish a professional relationship based on mutual respect and trust.  We listen carefully to gain an understanding of the client’s concerns, preferences, and objectives so we can provide advice and guidance that is tailored to their individual situation.  Together, we explore the goals, risk tolerance, objectives, and current financial position of the client.  We then co

Giving It Away to Charity: A Guide to Philanthropy

“Philanthropy” is defined as the act of making gifts of personal resources to charities. These resources can include donations of one’s time, energy, money and property. Millions of Americans perform simple acts of philanthropy, such as donating clothing to homeless shelters. This article focuses on how individuals can plan philanthropic activities so that they can help their favorite charities, while maximizing the advantages of their philanthropy – from an estate- and tax-planning perspective – for themselves.

Tax Benefits of Charitable Giving
 

How to Look Behind Mutual Fund Performance Numbers

Dean Fox's picture

 If you are a mutual fund investor, it’s hard to resist peeking at those performance reviews published every year — the ones that list the top-performing funds. Perhaps you’re hoping that your fund will be among them, or you may be seeking new investment ideas. In either case, mutual fund performance statistics can be useful.

The Value of Diversification

We’ve all heard the warnings about “putting all your eggs in one basket.” When it comes to diversifying your investments, that adage is not only relevant: It could mean the difference between financial success and failure.

Discover the Benefits of an Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust

Dean Fox's picture

The affluent have always had access to strategies designed to help them pass money to their heirs with minimal tax obligations. One of the most common estate tax planning strategies is an Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILIT). An ILIT is easy to understand, relatively easy to implement, and in many situations, avoids the need to incorporate other wealth transfer or estate tax reduction techniques.

ILITs perform two basic functions. They can:

Giving It Away to Charity: A Guide to Philanthropy

“Philanthropy” is defined as the act of making gifts of personal resources to charities. These resources can include donations of one’s time, energy, money and property. Millions of Americans perform simple acts of philanthropy, such as donating clothing to homeless shelters. This article focuses on how individuals can plan philanthropic activities so that they can help their favorite charities, while maximizing the advantages of their philanthropy – from an estate- and tax-planning perspective – for themselves.

 

Take the Right Steps to Protect Your Retirement Income

Dean Fox's picture

Saving for retirement: It used to be something you could count on your employer to do for you. But not anymore. Thanks to the increasing use of 401(k) and other types of contributory retirement plans over the past 30 years, the percentage of private-sector workers who qualify for the guaranteed retirement income provided by an employer-sponsored pension plan has dropped dramatically.

Bricks for Building Your College Funding Plan

College costs continue to skyrocket – at a pace that far exceeds the rate of inflation. But there is a bright side to planning for college expenses, and it’s getting a little brighter all the time – thanks to federal tax breaks that can make paying for college more affordable. The key point to remember is that you can create a college funding plan brick by brick, by combining a variety of investment accounts, tax benefits and financial aid sources. Here is a quick guide to get you going:

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