Over the last few weeks, I kept the kids up far past their bedtimes to witness Aaron Judge break the American League single-season home run record. While we had to sit through a whole lot of walks, we eventually got to witness a once-in-a-lifetime event that we’ll tell some grandkids about. Sadly, this year, investors have also witnessed an investment market for the record books. Through the charts below (and a recounting of my real-world experience with our 15-year-old new driver) we’ll examine the year so far, talk through viewing investments through the “windshield” of a financial plan, and see how investors have typically fared better than average coming out of historic times like these.
Category: Financial Planning
I Bonds Are Paying 9.62%, What’s The Catch? (Updated)
(Note: At the time of publication, July 2022, I Bonds were paying an annualized rate of 9.62%. Since then, interest rates and inflation have changed, causing the combined I Bond rate to adjust down to 6.89% as of February 2023. You can find the current combined interest rate here.) The US Government introduced Series I
Quarter in Charts – Q2 2022
“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
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,