“The Circumstances” So far this year, investors have experienced a dramatic increase in interest rates and sustained high inflation, coupled with a decrease in both stock and bond prices not seen in half a century. All of this while the US continued to add jobs and public companies increased profits at a steady pace. Below
Category: Financial Planning
SPWM Adds Associate Financial Planner, Jordan Johnson
Smith Partners Wealth Management is delighted to announce the addition of Jordan Johnson to our team as an Associate Financial Planner and Operations Specialist. Jordan brings her 3+ years of experience as an Associate Financial Planner for a Fiduciary Fee-Only firm in College Station, Texas. Jordan will be based in Texas and will support our
Understanding Probabilities of Success in Financial Planning
It Looks Like I’ve got a 75% Chance of Making it Home From Work When we talk about achieving financial goals, we use the term “Probability of Success”. It comes from a Monte Carlo mathematical model that produces a number ranging from 1% to 99%. But what does a 50%, 75%, or 99% probability of
Quarter In Charts – Q1 2022
We just completed Science Fair season in our house – whew! Finley (age 12) tested different ratios of Corn Syrup to Sugar to determine the optimal recipe for homemade marshmallows (I take all the credit for the title: “Who Wants S’more Marshmallows?”) Going into the project, she had no idea which recipe would make the
Humans and Monkeys Fall for the Same Trick
I am sure you’ve heard of the monkey trapping technique where a hunter hollows a coconut, ties the coconut to a tree, and leaves a treat such as fruit inside the coconut. The hole is big enough to fit the monkey’s empty hand, but when it makes a fist, the monkey’s hand becomes too big
How to Contribute $67,500 into a Solo 401k in 2022
Solo 401k’s have always had a large annual contribution limit, but the trick is getting to that limit while living within the rules provided by the IRS. There are four rules to follow to contribute the entire $67,500. Rule #1: Qualifying Business You must work in a for-profit business with “one” employee: you. However, the
Decide Today, What Kind of Old Person You Want to Be
“I’m sorry, but I have to take this call…Mary will tell you more about why.” We were in the middle of our client review, when Jeff hurriedly excused himself to the lobby. I looked over to Mary and said that I didn’t need to know the details, but hoped everything was okay. “Oh, everything’s fine…or
Quarter in Charts – Q4 2021
Rising prices seem to be at the top of everyone’s mind. From Social Security recipients wondering if the cost of living adjustments will keep up their actual expenses, businesses and employees wondering how to factor in wage increases, or everyday consumers struggling to keep their energy and food costs under wraps. Congress even joined in with concerns. Last week at the Senate Banking Committee meeting, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell told lawmakers,
Retirement Planning Challenges and The Single Woman
My focus here is on retirement planning for the Single Woman because when she steps up to the plate looking for advice, she already faces two strikes: her financial plan has to cover more years than a man’s, and she has likely earned less and been able to save less than her male counterparts.
Quarter in Charts – Q3 2021
According to NPR’s Rob Elving “The Basics” explainer on the Debt Ceiling, congress will likely raise our nation’s imaginary borrowing “line in the sand” for nearly the hundredth time since 1917.