Expect the Unexpected for the 2021 Stock Market, and Plan Accordingly | Paul Fain Last year was a paradox: The second quarter was the worst GDP performance on record. However, November was one of the best months for the stock market on record, led by long-lagging small caps and value stocks. The Russell 2000 Index…
Here’s a Merry Approach to Mortality | Paul Fain The holidays (normally) conjure warm images of large family gathering with dinners, gift exchanges, and merriment. The holidays are different this year. As the COVID pandemic is filling ICUs across the country, our mortality has entered the national conversation. With that in mind, here’s a seemingly macabre…
Stay Calm and Prepare for Another Wave of Pandemic Panic | Paul Fain Election Day is over. The sun rose the following morning. The stock market did not crash. So our attention has turned back to the pandemic. A second wave of the virus is surging across the nation. To wit, I was hospitalized…
Hang in There, Things Will Get Better | Paul Fain Several weeks ago, I (virtually) attended the Vanguard Advisor Symposium. Sidebar: One of the unexpected silver linings to the COVID pandemic has been access to great meetings without the hassle and expense of air travel and hotels. The event kicked off with a presentation…
What Should I Do With My Money? It Depends… | Paul Fain, CFP® From the perspective of personal financial planning, the answer to many of life’s complexities is, “It depends.” Of course, we all prefer black and white answers to important questions. But “It depends” fails to give us any certainty of outcomes. Here are…
How Will the Presidential Election Impact My Financial Plan? | Paul Fain Consider these election headlines: “Should you hoard cash before the election?” “This election could help make or break your retirement.” “The nastiest election of our lifetime.” “A Trump win will tank the market.” Were these headlines published last week? No, they are all…
5 Tips to Prepare for Market Turbulence | Paul Fain Many investors are switching their concerns from the coronavirus to the stock market. If the resurgent virus forces a new economic shutdown, and if everyone is forced to stay-at-home again, will the stock market take another 30% hit? Of course, the bottom line is:…
Use the Pandemic as a Test Drive for Retirement | Paul Fain Unless you are an essential worker, you have probably spent most of the last three months sheltering in place at home during the COVID pandemic. If you are a sales or client service worker, or consultant, or computer-based worker, or the like, it…
What do real financial planners study? A few weeks ago, I was on the organizing task force of the Financial Planning Association’s Retreat Conference. Five certified financial planners from Tennessee were among the 400 attendees described as the “Thinkers, Thought Leaders & Change Makers” of the financial planning profession. The opening keynote address was a…
What does the term “long-term investing” really mean? How long is long-term? One of my favorite clients, Jim, just turned 95-years old. He is sharp as a tack. He is a patient, humble, and gracious man. He is definitely a “long-term” investor. When he was born in 1924, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (Dow) stock…