Forbes Tax & Estate Planning Trusts Updated for 2020

Do I Need a Trust If I Have a Will?

A will and a trust are two different estate planning tools. Consider a will like a high-level set of instructions to be used after you pass away. You generally use a will to name the executor of your estate and guardianship for your children. Although you can leave assets to…

Kristin McKennaMarch 31, 2020

Investing Investing During a Crisis Video

March 2020 is About to Become the Most Volatile Month in Stock Market History

The selloff in the financial markets triggered by the coronavirus outbreak has been historic. Here are some statistics about March Madness 2020 in the stock market and what recent volatility means for long-term investors. (more…)

Kristin McKennaMarch 31, 2020

Asset Management Brokerage Account Diversification Investing Tax planning Updated for 2020

Tax-loss Harvesting After a Downturn in the Stock Market

Tax-loss harvesting is the process of selling an investment at a loss to offset other gains or carry the loss forward to future years. It's the ultimate silver lining: using the recent losses in your investment account to your advantage. During widespread selloffs like in March 2020, most equity positions…

Kristin McKennaMarch 30, 2020

Asset Management Building Wealth Cash Management Diversification Forbes Investing Investing During a Crisis

Here’s How You’ll Know It’s a Good Time to Invest

The COVID-19 outbreak has affected us all in some way at this point. If you're lucky enough to be bored but employed, you might be wondering whether it's an opportune time to put money in the stock market or wise to keep up with your regularly scheduled contributions to a…

Kristin McKennaMarch 28, 2020

Asset Management Forbes Investing During a Crisis

How to Prepare Your Finances for a Recession or Prolonged Market Downturn

Getting your finances in order for an extended period of economic difficulty or losses in the stock market will depend on your life stage and financial situation. The coronavirus outbreak has already significantly impacted the economy and financial markets, leaving investors wondering what they should do to prepare in the…

Kristin McKennaMarch 27, 2020

Debt Management Forbes Interest rates Mortgages Real Estate Updated for 2020

With Mortgage Rates So Low, Is Now a Good Time to Refinance?

With 30-year fixed mortgage rates currently averaging around 3.50%, it might make sense for homeowners to consider refinancing. Depending on several factors, such as your current interest rate and age of your existing mortgage, refinancing could mean a lower monthly payment and big savings over the life of the loan.…

Kristin McKennaMarch 26, 2020

Diversification Employee benefits Investing Investing During a Crisis ISOs Managing Risk NQSOs Restricted Stock Awards RSUs SARs Stock options

Don’t Get Taken Down When Your Employer’s Stock Sinks

What can happen if you own too much of your company's stock? The coronavirus outbreak is yet another example of the dangers of having too much company stock. Some C-level executives are required to hold a certain amount, but many employees voluntarily double-down by either holding vested stock or buying…

Kristin McKennaMarch 24, 2020

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Doctors and Dentists: Should You Refinance Student Loans?

Given today's ultra-low interest rate environment, there's a unique opportunity for some professionals to refinance their student loans. Since doctors and dentists have some of the largest outstanding student loan debts, these professionals in particular may benefit from refinancing their student loans. However, refinancing isn't right for everyone. As you…

Kristin McKennaMarch 23, 2020

Asset Management Brokerage Account Building Wealth Cash Management Current events Diversification Early Retirement Investing Investing During a Crisis Managing Risk Retirement Planning

Should You Keep Investing Through a Recession?

There's a lot we know about the current state of the stock market, but we can only make an educated guess as to where the economy goes from here. Both are sobering to think about. As of the writing of this article, we have descended into the fastest bear market…

Kristin McKennaMarch 22, 2020

Asset Management Current events Forbes Investing Investing During a Crisis Managing Risk

The U.S. is in a Bear Market. There Could be a Recession. But This Isn’t 2008.

Are We Headed For Another Financial Crisis? It happened on March 11th: after 11 years, the S&P 500 once again entered a bear market. Defined as a decline of 20% or more from recent highs, this is the first bear market for the popular stock index since the 2008 financial…

Kristin McKennaMarch 21, 2020