A Health Savings Account (also known as HSA) is a powerful account that should not be ignored. These were created in 2003 to provide special tax treatment for those with high-deductible health insurance plans. Not everyone is eligible for a Health Savings Account, but if you are, you should really give it a solid look. […]
When I launched The Astute Advisor personal finance site, I was excited to reach a much broader audience. But I’ve always believed that the blog shouldn’t be my voice alone. I’m convinced my readers will benefit by hearing from other financial professionals too. Here are some articles that are worth a read. Enjoy. Review Your 401(k) […]
The financial world can be complicated and there is always more to learn. Not only is there a staggering amount of information, but the laws and regulations change regularly. Over the years, I’ve had thousands of conversations and email exchanges on various personal finance matters. I’ve included some of the misconceptions I’ve heard along the way. Beware of […]
Diversification is an important principle that prudent investors and advisors adhere to. It is best explained by the expression “don’t keep all of your eggs in one basket.” If XYZ stock is the basket you put all your eggs into and it goes haywire, all your eggs are gone. And that isn’t good. Diversifying requires an investment […]
Investing decisions can be hard with all of the noise out there. As a financial advisor, I’ve seen the damage caused when people aren’t informed about their money. It is NEVER advisable to bury your head in the sand and everyone should strive to learn more. By asking questions and seeking information, we learn and grow. Knowledge […]
If you’re a public school teacher in California, there’s a lot to consider when saving for retirement. In fact, teachers have more choices than employees in the private sector and the options can be confusing. In addition to some of the nuances involved with CalSTRS and Social Security, many teachers are eligible for 403(b) and […]
It is human nature to avoid danger. When confronted by it, we are forced into a fight or flight situation. However, when it comes to managing our investments, it can be hard to resist these instincts. There is no doubt about it. Seeing negative returns on your investment account statement is painful. With a constant stream of […]
As we say goodbye to 2015, here’s a look back at some of the most popular posts on The Astute Advisor blog. Hopefully you find some of these articles helpful. If you ever have a question or would like to provide feedback, please let me know. You can contact me via email through the website. Here are […]
Guest post from Brian Betz, CFP® with Percension Wealth Advisors, LLC You work for a successful, start-up company. When hired you were given a pile of stock options, at which point the dollar signs in your head began swirling. After years of growth, your company finally went public! As your coworkers pop champagne you know […]
Why Millennials Need Financial Advice — Now is a guest post from Brian McCann, CFP® with Bootstrap Capital, LLC Today’s note is a little more industry oriented than normal. Still, I thought you would be interested because it touches on my philosophies regarding Financial Planning: Recently I got into a Twitter conversation (yes, I tweet. […]
