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Article Title |
Author |
Description |
Date |
| Should You Refinance Your Mortgage? |
Ellen Winter Bolline |
With mortgage rates at the lowest point in over 50 years, you may wonder if it's a good time to refinance. Read what factors you should consider as you evaluate your decision. |
7/21/2010 |
| Rebalancing Act |
Jeffrey S. Williams |
Once you have an investment portfolio that matches your current goals and risk tolerance, it is important to preserve its structural integrity, since asset allocation accounts for most of a portfolio's return. However, changes in asset allocation inevitably occur as asset classes experience divergent performance. Read why rebalancing is the remedy to the condition known as "asset drift." |
7/21/2010 |
| Managing Inflation Risk |
Jeffrey S. Williams |
As investors have shifted their concern from weathering the financial crisis to anticipating the inflationary effects of federal spending and debt, many are asking how to prepare for potentially higher inflation. This article explores two basic ways to address uncertainty about inflation and highlights asset groups that may prove useful. |
4/21/2010 |
| Uncovering Lost Assets |
Ellen Winter Bolline |
Have you ever wondered if there is a significant amount of money somewhere that belongs to you but that you’ve never taken possession of? Learn how to search online for any unclaimed property that may belong to you. |
4/21/2010 |
| Stay Focused on Health Care and Retirement Planning in 2010 |
Ellen Winter Bolline |
Sound health care and a financially secure retirement are two costly yet typically high-priority goals. Learn about cost-effective and convenient ways to save for both. |
1/20/2010 |
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Changes in Roth IRA Conversion Rules |
Ellen Winter Bolline |
Beginning in 2010, the rules for converting a traditional IRA or employer-sponsored retirement plan to a Roth IRA are changing. Read why a Roth IRA conversion deserves serious consideration, and what factors should be evaluated in determining if a conversion makes sense for you. |
10/20/2009 |
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The Behavior Gap |
Jeffrey S. Williams |
Many stock investors have failed to make good investment decisions, attempting to time the market and not holding funds long enough. Read why investor returns are far more dependent on investor behavior than on fund performance. |
7/21/2009 |
| Too Much Pessimism? |
Jeffrey S. Williams |
For the current millennium, the return on the S&P 500 is negative and pessimism is thriving. Read about other periods when pessimism – and optimism – have been rampant, and why it is important to understand the long-term relationship between risk and return. |
4/20/2009 |
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Revisiting Your Cash Flow |
Ellen Winter Bolline |
Periodic checkups of your cash flow are an essential part of financial planning. Learn why it’s especially important during an economic and financial downturn. |
4/20/2009 |
| Retirement Investing in Challenging Times |
Ellen Winter Bolline |
During a period of market volatility and uncertainty, it is tempting to do something – anything – to protect your retirement portfolio. Before taking action, we recommend pausing to consider a number of factors that could affect the long-term health of your portfolio. |
1/27/2009 |
| Lessons Learned From the Current Financial Crisis |
Jeffrey S. Williams |
Read about the important lessons to be learned from the recent turmoil in the financial markets, and how those lessons can help you make wise decisions and avoid mistakes in your portfolio. |
10/28/2008 |
| There Remain Safe Places to Keep Cash |
Ellen Winter Bolline |
The safety of many investments, including cash, has been in question in recent months. Learn about the protection available for cash investments. |
10/28/2008 |
| More on Global Investing |
Jeffrey S. Williams |
Read why we believe international and emerging markets equities should be part of most investors’ portfolios, in spite of the perceived risk of global investments. |
7/29/2008 |
| To Build Wealth, Start With a 'Big Picture' Strategy |
Ellen Winter Bolline |
Learn why having a comprehensive financial plan in place before you make important financial decisions can result in greater success at building wealth. |
4/22/2008 |
| Why Global Diversification Makes Sense |
Jeffrey S. Williams |
Although some investors are averse to investing in international equities, we believe the stocks of international developed and emerging markets have a place in a well-diversified portfolio. Read about the value of a globally-diversified portfolio investing in both U.S. and international equities. |
3/3/2008 |
| Consider Exchanging Your High-Cost Variable Annuity for a Lower-Cost Option |
Ellen Winter Bolline |
While variable annuities can be attractive savings vehicles, offering tax-deferred growth and an array of investment options, they have historically been expensive. Read about the trend toward lower-cost variable annuities and why it makes sense to consider converting a high-cost annuity to one of the new lower-cost options. |
2/1/2008 |
| Senate Testimony Recommends Better Disclosure of 401(k) Fees |
Jeffrey S. Williams |
Although investment-related fees can take a significant bite out of a 401(k) plan participant's retirement account over the years, most participants say they don't know how much they are paying in fees within their plan account. Learn why the GAO wants both 401(k) plan participants and plan sponsors to be better educated about the costs associated with 401(k) plans. |
1/2/2008 |
| Year-End Planning: Focusing on Your Investments |
Ellen Winter Bolline |
Read about several year-end opportunities to reduce your investment-related tax liability, including timing December mutual fund purchases to avoid unnecessary taxes on capital gain distributions and making tax-efficient charitable contributions. |
12/3/2007 |
| Three Approaches to Investing |
Jeffrey S. Williams |
Although research indicates that an investment portfolio’s asset allocation is the overwhelming factor in determining its long-term return, some investors – and advisors – use other approaches to investing. Learn about the three primary approaches, and why we believe the Asset Allocation Approach is the most effective and prudent. |
11/1/2007 |
| Don't Overlook the Risk of Disability |
Ellen Winter Bolline |
The risk of becoming disabled during your working years is one that you may not have considered. Learn how disability insurance can help ease the financial burden if you are unable to work. |
10/1/2007 |
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Jeffrey S. Williams |
Read about what we’ve accomplished at Grand Wealth Management in the past three years, and what we plan for the future. |
9/4/2007 |
| Planning for the Cost of Health Care During Retirement |
Ellen Winter Bolline |
The cost of health care during retirement is an expense item that tends to be overlooked or underestimated. Learn why you should pay attention to the rising health care costs – and what you should do now to prepare for future costs. |
8/1/2007 |
| Is it Time to Abandon Small Caps? |
Jeffrey S. Williams |
Read why we believe that small cap stocks are an integral part of a prudent, well-diversified portfolio. |
7/2/2007 |
| Plan Ahead for Charitable Contributions |
Ellen Winter Bolline |
It's not too early to plan for the charitable contributions you'll make this year. Read about opportunities and considerations – along with a few timely reminders – to help with your charitable planning. |
6/1/2007 |
| Whose Interests Does Your Financial Advisor Serve? |
Jeffrey S. Williams |
Investment advisers have traditionally been held to a higher standard than stockbrokers. Learn how a recent court decision may change the rules and hold both to the same standard. |
5/1/2007 |
| The New Realities of Retirement Planning |
Ellen Winter Bolline |
Read about the modern-day realities of retirement planning, including changes in Social Security and employer retirement benefits, and why it's important to calculate your retirement needs now. |
4/2/2007 |
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Ellen Winter Bolline |
Doing periodic cash flow "check-ups" is an essential part of financial planning. Learn how a cash flow statement is used to assess other financial goals, such as determining how much life insurance you need and how much you should save for retirement. |
3/1/2007 |
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Jeffrey S. Williams |
Understand how Modern Portfolio Theory is used to design efficient investment portfolios – those that strike an effective balance between return and risk. |
3/1/2007 |
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Ellen Winter Bolline |
A net worth statement is a "snapshot" of your current financial position that can quickly tell you which aspects of your financial life are on track. Read why calculating your net worth on an annual basis makes sense. |
2/1/2007 |
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Jeffrey S. Williams |
Historically, returns for U.S. and international equity markets do not move in unison. Learn about the value of a globally diversified portfolio investing in both U.S. and international equities. |
2/1/2007 |
| Is Your Personal Data Prepared for an Emergency? |
Ellen Winter Bolline |
Make it a priority to ensure that your personal financial data is safeguarded and accessible in the event of an emergency. See our recommendations for creating a personal information repository and quick-reference guide. |
1/2/2007 |
| Institutional Asset Class Funds Help You Benefit from Asset Class Investing |
Jeffrey S. Williams |
Asset class mutual funds offer attractive benefits, such as lower operating expenses and less turnover. Read about the features that make these investment options prudent choices for most investors. |
1/2/2007 |
| Year-End Financial Planning Checklist |
Ellen Winter Bolline |
It's not too late to save on your 2006 taxes. See a list of year-end planning tactics that might help you lower your tax liability and work toward reaching your other financial goals. |
12/1/2006 |
| Lower Volatility Enhances Returns |
Jeffrey S. Williams |
Investment volatility is detrimental to investment growth. Learn how volatility affects compund returns, and see an illustration of two portfolios with different levels of volatility. |
12/1/2006 |
| Should You Buy Long-Term Care Insurance? |
Ellen Winter Bolline |
Long-term care is expensive – as is the insurance often used to manage the financial risk of a long-term illness or injury. Understand your options for covering the cost of long-term care, and the factors to consider in assessing what's right for you. |
11/1/2006 |
| The Emotional Curve of Investing |
Jeffrey S. Williams |
Research on behavioral finance supports what we suspected: Many investors let emotions guide their investment decisions, generally resulting in disappointing performance. Read about the hazards of basing investment decisions on emotions. |
11/1/2006 |
| The Pension Protection Act of 2006 |
Ellen Winter Bolline |
Although the Act deals primarily with employer-sponsored retirement plans, it includes a number of provisions that benefit individual investors. Read about important changes to IRAs, employee 401(k) deferrals, charitable contributions and 529 college savings plan. |
10/2/2006 |
| Rising Above The Noise |
Jeffrey S. Williams |
Investing, which can seem confusing, is simply about making prudent decisions about selecting and holding investments. Learn what academics and institutional investors know, and how you can follow their lead to make smart investment decisions. |
10/2/2006 |