Asset Management Diversification Investing Managing Risk

What History Can Teach Us About Asset Class Diversification in 4 Charts

Setting your asset allocation is like drafting architectural plans when building a home; it provides a map to guide the construction of your investment portfolio. Developing an asset allocation is a multi-step process, which is challenging for many investors, and for good reason. A Google search for the term "how…

Kristin McKennaJanuary 30, 2019

Asset Management Forbes Investing Investing During a Crisis Managing Risk Retirement Planning

How the Timing of a Stock Market Crash Can Impact a Retirement Plan

There's plenty for investors to worry about when their financial livelihood is on the line. When planning for major financial decisions such as retirement, individuals often focus on the severity of a market downturn, underestimating the impact that timing and cash flows can have on their portfolio. The sequence of…

Kristin McKennaJanuary 24, 2019

Asset Management Diversification Infographics Investing Managing Risk Updated for 2020

Investing Outside of the S&P 500

If you've ever heard excerpts from the latest Apple earnings report, you may have thought, 'so what?' Well, for many investors, Apple's relative performance could impact your own bottom line. As of December 31st, 2020, the 5 largest publicly traded companies (Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Facebook, and Google) in the world…

Kristin McKennaJanuary 20, 2019

Asset Management Infographics Inheritance Secure Act SEP IRA Traditional IRA Updated for 2020

Options After Inheriting an IRA from Your Spouse

If your spouse has named you as a beneficiary on their traditional IRA, SEP IRA, or SIMPLE IRA, you will need to understand your options for the account you have just inherited. In general, you will have three choices for the IRA you have inherited. As you review your options,…

Kristin McKennaApril 13, 2018

Asset Management Building Wealth

The Stories We Tell Ourselves About Money

Growing up, kids are taught very simple facts about money: you need to earn it to pay your bills and save it to retire and buy things you want along the way. Yet, as we get older, these basic facts about money seem to have gotten lost. Instead of emphasizing…

Kristin McKennaOctober 26, 2017

Asset Management Building Wealth Current events Employee benefits Financial Planning Retirement Planning Tax planning

The Best Ways to Build Wealth

What are the best strategies to build wealth and a comfortable lifestyle for you and your loved ones? The answer isn't sexy or complicated. The best way to build wealth and create financial security for you and your family is no secret. It is accomplished through an ongoing commitment to…

Kristin McKennaJune 5, 2017

Asset Management Retirement Planning

Hidden Retirement Risk: 85% of Workers Don’t Rebalance Their 401(k)

In 2015, an estimated 54 million Americans were actively participating in a 401(k) plan at work. However, according to a 2014 study by Aon Hewett, only 15% had rebalanced their 401(k). Why does this matter? As the market goes up and down, the funds you've selected for your 401(k) will…

Kristin McKennaMay 10, 2017

Asset Management Diversification Investing Managing Risk

How to Diversify Your Investments

Why is it important to diversify your investments? The answer is simple: to manage risk. Diversifying your investments is about more than holding different stocks and bonds. Full diversification involves all of your assets: homes, stock options, retirement accounts, and so on. If you're wondering how to diversify your investments,…

Kristin McKennaJanuary 25, 2017

Asset Management Diversification Investing Managing Risk

How to Manage Your Investments: 6 Components of a Successful Strategy

Like many things in life, managing your own investments becomes more complex as you get older. For young professionals just starting out, it makes sense to learn the basics of how to manage your investments and do it yourself. Later in your career, there is more wealth to protect and…

Kristin McKennaJanuary 11, 2017

401(k) Plans 403(b) Plans Asset Management Investing Rebalancing

How Often Should You Rebalance Your 401(k)?

Like any investment account, rebalancing your 401(k) or 403(b) retirement plan is an important part of a successful strategy. An asset allocation is the percentage of your account that you distribute between different asset classes, like stocks and bonds. Without periodic rebalancing, your investment mix shifts and no longer aligns…

Kristin McKennaDecember 21, 2016