You Just Kissed Your Sister
The S&P 500 Index started the year at 2058.90 and by the end of March 10, 2015, we find ourselves at 2044.16, which is actually a little worse than breakeven. Didn’t we just reach new market highs as recent as last week? It is no fun “kissing your sister”. For those unfamiliar with that phrase, […]
TIME TO INCREASE YOUR MARKET RISK?
“Risk is good. Not properly managing your risk is a dangerous leap.” – Evel Knievel, Motorcylist Many market pundits and gurus believe the financial markets are at risk of a market correction (defined as a 10% decline […]
The Truth Behind April Fools’ Day
The origin of April Fools’ Day is somewhat obscure, however, the most commonly cited theory dates back to 1582, the year France adopted the Gregorian Calendar which shifted the observance of New Year’s Day from the end of March (around the time of the vernal equinox) to the first of January. According to popular lore, […]
Stern Brothers Asset Management Expands Team in Texas
January 7, 2014 Stern Brothers Asset Management Expands Team in Texas An independent, registered investment adviser (RIA) firm, Stern Brothers Asset Management, LLC announces the hiring of Michael W. Alexander, Wealth Advisor to the Houston, TX team. Michael Alexander will immediately start in his new role as a trusted and experienced investment advisor offering investment […]
The Benchmark Fallacy
Many investors desire to keep pace with “the market” by using a typical benchmark (S&P 500, Dow Jones). This is an excellent article as to why that is a fallacy. Do you want to buy index funds that mimic the market? Then you must be willing to incur 40%, 50% or even 60% losses like in […]
Start The Year Off Right with This Financial Checklist
Make necessary beneficiary updates in case of changes due to new births, deaths or marital changes. Review your Social Security benefits reports for the last two years since they are no longer sent out automatically to make sure the government is crediting you for what you have paid into the system. www.SSA.gov Review ways […]
MAXIMIZE YOUR TAX DEFERRED CONTRIBUTIONS IN 2013
Overall taxes will increase for more than 75% of households in 2013, says the Tax Policy Center, so the need to maximize your tax deferred and tax sheltered retirement assets are more important than ever. If you have a 401(k) employer match at your company, maximize your contributions there first and then maximize your Individual […]
When is the best time to roll over your 401(k)?
The days of working for the same employer for 30 years are a thing of the past. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median number of years dedicated to the same employer is 4.6 years. With the speed of innovation and technology in all types of industries, it is not uncommon, nor frowned […]
Get Ready for the New Investment Tax
Taxes may not be fun to talk about but this new tax starts in 2013 and that is coming fast. **A version of this article appeared June 30, 2012, on page B7 in the U.S. edition of The Wall Street Journal, with the headline: Get Ready for the New Investment Tax, as well as the […]
