Financial planning blog

Timely and free financial planning advice

Introduction to alternative investments and financial advice

May 2, 2023

Alternative Investments: An Introduction

Last year, our best performing investments were neither equities (stocks) nor bonds. They were alternative investments, including managed futures. We believe the right way to invest is to diversify by strategy. This strategy zigs when equities zag, and last year did quite well. Click here to learn more about our alternative investments and hedging strategies....

AI Winter Ascent Investments – Investment analysis | A&I Wealth Management

April 24, 2023

A Winter Ascent and Our Investments

The photo in today’s Periscope shows two tents on the side of Mt. Whitney. In the yellow tent, I am sitting. In the red tent, sits a friend of mine. We had just climbed to the summit and back again safely. It was April, 2023. We enjoyed sunny skies overhead and a lot of snow...

Investment analysis and updates for Q1 2023

April 18, 2023

First Quarter 2023 Investment Updates

Equities, by and large, had a good start to 2023. So did bonds. As we talked about recently, things may be better than they appear. However, our investment research teams remain short-term cautious. We are as conservative, in the vast majority of our portfolios, as we have been since the great financial crisis of 2008....

Retirement planning and estate updates with A&I Wealth Management

April 11, 2023

Things are Better Than They Appear

If you have not already read this month’s letter regarding the incredible growth of dividends over our investment lifetime, please click this link. And if you are not yet subscribed to the email Periscope, please do so so that you can see the link! Dividends: The Tortoise Breaks into a Trot Last year’s S&P 500...

Creating a legacy without spoiling your children

April 5, 2023

Leaving a Legacy and Not Spoiling the Kids

Leaving a Legacy that Lasts Generations The cure for the entitlement illness is gratitude. For affluent families, raising kids without spoiling them is a huge challenge. Here are some practical bits of advice, and some questions you can talk about with your wealth manager. You may have heard the saying, “shirt sleeves to shirt sleeves...

March 29, 2023

Life and Taxes from Transamerica

Learn from Nick Arndt, a tax expert from Transamerica, about how to find tax saving opportunities and other advice. One of the questions we had was about inherited IRAs. If you inherited your IRA before the year 2022, you can continue with the current withdrawal schedule. However, any inherited IRA since 2022 is subject to...

March 21, 2023

Using Buckets to Get More out of Your Savings

When it comes to spending and saving, there are many different philosophies of thought for how much to allocate where. Broadly speaking, many people tend to break up their budgets into necessities / personal spending / savings. However, “savings” can feel ambiguous, especially when you factor in the many ways that savings can be used...

Vacation planning with financial advice from a wealth advisor

March 14, 2023

Creating A Budget? Here’s What to Consider

Budgeting tips for generation Z and millennials.

Overview of charitable planning and contribution limits

March 7, 2023

Charitable Giving FAQs: Family Gifts, Tax Limits, and More!

Ever wonder what the tax limits are around charitable giving? Read on to get answers to some of the most common questions. For even more information, visit our Charitable Planning web page. How much can I give? You can give away as much as you want to anyone you want at any time you want....