Considering my family DNA, I have gratitude for every morning that I wake to a sunrise or an alarm clock. My father passed away at age 54. I’ve outlived him. But honestly, I take many mornings for granted. Modern life often presents a barrage of financial distractions: concerns about the welfare of family members, debt,…
“The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men gang aft agley (oft go astray),” quoted from a Robert Burns poem, is often used to describe the futility of making detailed plans when our ability to execute said plans is uncertain. Market volatility can certainly trigger behavioral responses that are detrimental to our financial plans. Sometimes…
A few weeks ago, we took a family vacation to Panama City Beach, Fla. The ocean was wondrous. Like many wide-eyed tourists, we picked up real estate magazines and day-dreamed about owning a second home near the beach. In spectacular East Tennessee, it is not uncommon to know a family who has a cabin in…
In bygone days, the term “hot mess” referred to a soldier’s meal. My father-in-law would have coveted a hot mess as he crawled across Europe in the winter of 1944. On one cold night, he was hiding from a Panzer tank patrol in the bottom of an outhouse latrine, but that was a different hot…
What is a “hedge fund?” Well, simply put, a hedge fund is an investment company that invests in alternative investments (debt, derivatives, options, commodities, etc.) to either beat the market or provide a hedge against unforeseen market changes. Generally, hedge funds are considered to be opportunities for the “smart money” and to sophisticated investors, such…
WBIR: Finally…the Federal Reserve announced Wednesday that it was raising key interest rates for the first time in 9 years. But what does a rate increase mean for the typical family? Joining us now with answers is Paul Fain, a Certified Financial Planner with Asset Planning Corporation. PAUL, BEFORE WE TALK ABOUT IMPACT, LET’S RECAP WHY…
In honor of November as National Hospice Month, APC is promoting the importance of thinking and talking about health care decisions well in advance of a serious illness or accident that may lead to someone being cared for by hospice. Hospice offers relief from the pain and symptoms experienced by people living with advanced, serious…
Summertime wedding season is upon us! Amidst all of the event planning and celebration, it’s so important to review your financial, legal, and tax documents for any changes that might be needed. In working with our clients, I see in “real life” how important it is to review documents on a regular basis, and especially…
I have three children ranging in ages from 16 to 24 years old. In other words, two of my kids are legal adults! Whoa! How does that impact our daily lives and our financial plan? The relationship between parent and child is of fundamental importance to U.S. society, because it preserves the safety and provides…
While recently participating in a professional education conference, I attended a session on the subject of women and investing. Going into it, I expected a discussion around communication styles or financial planning needs that might be unique concerning female clients. However, I quickly realized that the speaker’s topic was actually around the research showing that…