When you get dressed, do you put your jacket on first and your shirt on next? Do you put your shoes on before your socks? If you don’t get dressed in the right order, you would look pretty ridiculous. This is a silly analogy, but the message is the same for your finances as it is for your wardrobe: there are certain steps that need to be followed so that things don’t end up in [...]
By Barry Steelman, AIF® If you do a simple search on the topic of relationships and finances, you’ll come across countless sobering statistics. For example, you’ll find that money is the primary reason for arguments between couples, with many couples averaging three arguments per month revolving around financial issues. You’ll also learn that 3 in 10 married adults admit to potentially deceitful behavior about money and that disagreements about finances are the most common predictors [...]
As a family man, I understand the importance of making memories with your loved ones. Why else do we work so hard for what we earn? I started my wealth advisory firm to help my clients better their futures through sound financial planning, and sometimes there’s nothing better than a vacation. Travel is an important goal for me and my family, so we prioritize vacations when deciding how to manage our finances. The best vacations [...]
Every year as the excitement of Christmas morning begins to wane, there is one group of people for whom the anticipation is just beginning to rise. Who are these Christmas late-bloomers? Why, investors, of course. Instead of dreaming of sugar plum fairies and presents under a tree, they dream of a market phenomenon known as the “Santa Claus Rally.” What Is The Santa Claus Rally? Over the years, market analysts and investors have noticed a [...]
By Barry Steelman, AIF® We usually think of Christmas as the time of year when we get spendy. However, there are plenty of other times in the year when we spend on non-essentials. Halloween is one such time. Candy and costumes may not seem expensive, but U.S. consumers spend an average of $86.13 each for Halloween, with shoppers spending a total of $3.4 billion on costumes alone this year. Halloween reminds me of why spending [...]
By Barry Steelman, AIF® As we get older time seems to go by a little faster, and 2017 has been no exception. I’m amazed that we’re almost at the end of this very memorable year. As we approach Thanksgiving, I like to think about the things I’m most grateful and thankful for. This year, I’ve focused on six things I’m most thankful for, and I wanted to share them with you. 1. My Sons’ Health [...]
When you think of the term, “corner office,” you probably envision wood paneling, magnificent views, and fancy leather chairs. I hate to break it to you, but my corner office does not match that extravagant stereotype! I’m okay with that because my little office fits me and my firm and is the perfect space for me to serve my clients and give them the best service possible. A Little History When I first founded Private [...]
Your future retirement may be exciting to imagine, but when it comes to planning for it, most people feel uncertain and concerned. According to the Employee Benefit Research Institute’s 2017 Retirement Confidence survey, 82% of American workers do not feel very confident that they have enough money for a comfortable retirement. Along with a lack of confidence, 30% say that preparing for retirement causes them to feel mentally or emotionally stressed. And even among the [...]
In the news, the word “fiduciary” has been thrown around a lot in relation to a financial advisor and his or her duties. However, not all advisors are fiduciaries, and not all advisors adhere to the same rules or responsibilities. When you’re considering working with a financial advisor, it’s important to understand the differences and what type of advisor with whom you’re working. Stockbrokers, insurance agents, and real estate agents acting on the other party's [...]
Over the weekend, my family and I were huddled around our television on the couch enjoying a show called Insane Pools. The episode featured a couple who had saved for more than 10 years to build the pool of their dreams. When they could finally afford it and saw the final results of their hard work, you couldn’t help but smile in response to the joy they expressed. Watching this episode made me wonder, how [...]
