I recently ran across an interview with Abigail Disney, granddaughter of Roy O. Disney, co-founder of The Walt Disney Company (posted here at New York’s The Cut What It’s Like to Grow Up With More Money Than You’ll Ever Spend.) It is a surprisingly vulnerable and honest insight into the real-life impact (both good and
It’s More Than Money
The Quarter in Charts – Q1 2019
If there was ever a quarter that demonstrated the changing nature of investment markets, it was the first quarter of 2019. Below, we’ll walk through the critical themes of the quarter touching specifically on the yield curve and the possibility of a recession. Asset Class Returns So far in 2019, investors have experienced double-digit returns
Forever Stamps & The Forever Tax
In 2007, the U.S. Postal Service introduced the first Forever Stamp for 41 cents. It was a great way for the postal service to increase their cash flow, but it was also beneficial for individuals, who knew they would be sending letters in the future, to “prepay” for stamps in hopes of sidestepping future postage
Understanding the New Tax Law…with Ice Cream
You can learn a lot from ice cream if you pay attention. A few years ago, a brother-sister team launched the Simply Scrumptious Ice Cream Pontoon Boat on Lake Tillery. Its bright yellow bimini top matches the paneling which displays a rotating list of homemade ice creams, custards, and cookies. It really hits the spot
Buying vs. Leasing a Car
I often overhear conversations of someone discussing how leasing a car is the most intelligent approach to having transportation. However, seconds later, I hear the audible scoff of the car buying group, as if buying a car is the best financial decision since Seward’s Folly. Luckily, we don’t like to pick sides. Instead, we let
The Quarter in Charts – Q4 2018
The Year That Diversification Missed The chart above captures much of why investors felt they had nowhere to hide in 2018; because they didn't. For the first time in decades, no major asset class beat inflation. Meaning, if we could travel back in time a year, the absolute best investment for most investors would have
On Market Volatility and What to Believe
“They were told where they belonged, and they acted accordingly.” In his book, Predictably Irrational, Dan Ariely highlights how our understanding of our current situation impacts how we will behave in the future. “One stereotype of Asian Americans, for instance, is that they are especially gifted in mathematics and science. A common stereotype of females
Annual Financial Checklist: September – December
This last checklist post is during some of my favorite months in the year! Fall and winter are a time for hot chocolate, chopping wood, and plenty of time with the sun down to get your financial ducks in a row. (NOTE: If you are one to procrastinate then I would suggest reading my previous
Gratitude And Surprise Joys
There seem to be a million things I love about summer weekends at the lake: the warm breezes, dogs swimming off the dock, grandkids swimming, skiing and jumping from the top. We soak up sunrises and sunsets like they are the first we’ve ever seen. But then we begin to notice the leaves of the Yellow
NUA… What is Net Unrealized Appreciation
How Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA) Should Be Used Do you own company stock within your 401(k)? Wouldn’t it be great if you could drastically lower your tax rate on this portion of your 401(k)? If that were possible, this tax rate transfer could lower your taxes up to 20%. It sounds great, but, how is