Investing can be complicated to the average “Joe or JoAnn.” However, having just the simplest knowledge of what it is and how it works can help you manage your money with confidence. Let’s break it down in a way that makes it easier to understand. This is the...
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To Convert or Not to Convert? That Is the Question!
What am I talking about, you ask? Roth conversions. What is a Roth conversion? A Roth conversion is taking all or part of an existing traditional IRA and moving it into a Roth IRA. The main difference between a traditional IRA and a Roth IRA is that traditional...
Is It Time to Change Your Investment Strategy?
Uncertainty is a fact of life. With uncertainty comes fear. Without a doubt, the global pandemic has escalated uncertainty and fear in our lives. Learning to cope with uncertainty is essential to a resilient life. But how do we do this? Some thoughts: Have a financial...
APC Then and Now
It was 1972; a 33-year-old Kemp Fain had discovered and joined a pioneering effort to professionalize “financial planning” as a field of study and service. Subsequently, he became the first enrolled student for the Certified Financial Planner designation and went on...
Basic Investing Building Block #1
This is the first in a series of postings where the focus will be around investing. We will touch on some of the core building blocks of investing. It may be a reminder for many of you or new to some, but if you find these useful, please share it with others. Whether...
Find Courage By Acknowledging The Good News During The Pandemic
In these troubling and uncertain times, is there any good news out there? As very real pain and suffering, physical and financial and emotional, spreads across the globe, is there any good news? Let’s consider: Gas prices are down, way down (even though we have...
We Will Get Through This Market Pandemic
Well, this seems crazy, almost surreal like one of the (always popular) Armageddon movies. My sister, who lives in Los Angeles, said people are lined up down the street to get in gun stores (presumably to take up arms to guard their toilet paper). But seriously, the...
When Finances Weigh On The Mind, Relax and Focus
What is “mindful financial planning?” What do terms like “mindfulness” or “being present” really mean? Is this column about to go “woo-woo” into emotions and feelings? Hang with me. What space does your head typically occupy? The past, the present, or the future? Are...
Hear Out Market Pundits, But Proceed With Caution
Over the past month, the market pundits have been proffering their 2020 forecasts for stocks, bonds, interest rates, real estate, gold, oil and basically anything investors might buy or sell. But before I put much weight in reading this year’s tea leaves and crystal...
How To Beat Financial Procrastination
“Procrastination is my sin, it brings me constant sorrow. I really shouldn’t practice it. Perhaps I’ll stop tomorrow." Why do we procrastinate, especially on matters of financial importance? Often it is because the task is unpleasant or difficult. In other...