General Insights

Amid retirement anticipation, it is crucial to take the time to make wise decisions regarding health care coverage.  Here are some things to consider at various times. Retiring at any age: While some Medicare Advantage plans cover dental and routine vision services, regular Medicare and Medigap plans don’t. If you’re not planning to buy a…

As 2018 winds down, it’s natural to focus on holiday activities. It’s also a great time to calculate your net worth, review your saving and spending for the year, and consider some smart moves to help you reach your financial goals. Here are a few to consider: Rebalance your portfolio. Has a certain class of…

Americans, as a group, are generous—especially during this wonderful holiday season. But they can also become cynical if they feel they have been duped.  A recent example is the New Jersey couple who raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for a homeless man on GoFundMe.  The feel-good story turned sour when New Jersey prosecutors announced…

Nearly sixty years ago, John Taylor (my grandfather), trimmed some large branches off a friend’s mature willow tree.  He placed the cut ends of the branches into a barrel, kept it filled with water, and watched patiently as roots began to sprout over the next several months. John was fresh out of law school, married…

“No” is a short and powerful word.  It’s easy to spell, easy to pronounce, and one of the first words a toddler learns to say.  But for parents and grandparents, “no” can be one of the most difficult words to utter—especially to adult children or grandchildren who want your help to solve their financial problems.…

It appears the stock market is experiencing a long-anticipated correction. In last month’s newsletter we noted, “…we can’t help but search the horizon for a cloud or two.  We know a correction would be healthy for the overall market.” What is a correction? Corrections are price declines of 10% or more that stop an upward…

We are glad 2017 is in the history books.  It’s been a very intense year with Washington turmoil, nuclear threats, and massive natural disasters.  But the good news is that the stock market paid little attention to tweets, polls or weather forecasts.  It not only gave us a stellar performance in 2017, but the final…

Last month, CNBC reported 63 percent of firms planned to give employees bonuses for 2017. If you work for one of those companies, it is wise to come up with a thoughtful plan for the extra cash. If you need more time to consider your options, deposit the money in a savings account. It will…

You would think that snow-covered mountains, crisp cool air, and the smell of an open fire would signal that Christmas is close at hand.  But for Air Force Captain Doug Neil, home and family seem very distant in spite of the wintry terrain that now surrounds him in Kabul, Afghanistan. Unless you have a loved…

Taxpayers often wish they had greater control over how their tax dollars are allocated.  The Arizona State Tax Credit program gives you the opportunity to direct how your money is spent by choosing which of the approved organizations you contribute to.  (If you live outside Arizona, check with your state to see what programs they…