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Tuesday, May 12, 2026

We will be periodically changing the format of our monthly article to include case studies that address specific situations and how applying proactive planning techniques may improve the situation. That said, please always seek...

Thursday, April 30, 2026

One of the most significant challenges facing investors is changing economic conditions that can affect different investors in different ways. This was never more evident than in 2022 when rapidly accelerating inflation forced the...

Friday, March 27, 2026

Over the years, the 401(k) plan has become the retirement plan of choice for many companies. Once the employer adopts the plan, however, they accept a myriad of responsibilities (and liabilities) they probably never anticipated. It’s...

Friday, March 27, 2026

One of the most significant challenges facing investors is changing economic conditions that can affect different investors in different ways. This was never more evident than in 2022 when rapidly accelerating inflation forced the...

Monday, February 2, 2026

The Roth IRA has become one of the more popular retirement savings tools available to investors, championed for its tax advantages and long-term flexibility. While it can be a powerful tool to build wealth, it is not without drawbacks....

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Thursday, January 8, 2026

One of the cornerstones of Modern Portfolio Theory is the concept of diversification, the process of allocating assets among several asset classes as not to “put all your eggs in one basket.”

Thursday, January 1, 2026

The IRS recently announced its long-awaited 2026 contribution limits – delayed due to the government shutdown - for retirement plans and individual retirement accounts (IRAs).For 2026, the annual contribution limit for employees...

Monday, December 15, 2025

The IRS recently announced its long-awaited 2026 contribution limits – delayed due to the government shutdown - for retirement plans and individual retirement accounts (IRAs). For 2026, the annual contribution limit for employees...

Tuesday, December 9, 2025

The IRS recently announced its long-awaited 2026 contribution limits – delayed due to the government shutdown - for retirement plans and individual retirement accounts (IRAs). For 2026, the annual contribution limit for employees...

Wednesday, November 5, 2025

On September 15, 2025, the Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service issued their final regulations addressing several SECURE 2.0 Act provisions related to catch-up contributions - additional contributions under a...

Wednesday, October 8, 2025

The Federal Reserve (Fed) finally did it! At their September 16 and 17 meeting, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) cut interest rates for the first time in 2025 by 0.25% (or 25 basis points). Although this rate cut was widely...

Thursday, September 4, 2025

Following the significant volatility seen in 2022 and its aftermath, investors looked outside of the normal asset classes of stocks and bonds to boost returns and provide diversification for their portfolios.

Tuesday, August 12, 2025

Saving for retirement can take the entire duration of a person’s working years. Whether through an employer-sponsored retirement plan, such as a 401(k), or personal saving and investing, or both, assets accumulated over many years can...

Tuesday, July 8, 2025

We have witnessed a global pandemic transpire, inflation skyrocket, and prices of everyday items markedly increase. These events have forced many Americans to look to alternative sources of money to pay for life's necessities.

Thursday, June 5, 2025

Over the years, the 401(k) plan has become the retirement plan of choice for many, if not most, companies. Once the employer adopts the plan, however, they accept a myriad of responsibilities (and liabilities) they probably never...

Sunday, May 18, 2025

News outlets have been inundating investors recently with a bleak outlook for the market and economy due to the uncertain future of tariffs and their potential effects on inflation, stocks, bonds, and the overall economy. Uncertainty...

Thursday, April 17, 2025

Over the past few years, conservative investors have struggled with holding bonds in their portfolio.

Thursday, April 17, 2025

We all know that the Salinas Valley is a wonderful place to work, live and raise a family - amazing weather, mountains, valleys and the beautiful Monterey Bay. But Monterey County is also known for its dedication to philanthropy.

Thursday, April 17, 2025

Investors have experienced an inordinate amount of volatility over the last three years. Rapidly increasing inflation and interest rates in 2022 drove the S&P 500 down more than 19% and made for the worst bond market performance in...

Thursday, March 6, 2025

February was a challenging month for the U.S. markets as stocks sold off at month’s end due to rising growth and geopolitical concerns. For the month, the S&P 500 lost 1.3%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.4%.

Friday, February 14, 2025

Investors experienced a solid start of the year last month as the U.S. stock and bond markets rallied on improving fundamentals and a strong economic backdrop.

Thursday, January 16, 2025

December was a mixed month for the investment markets, with investors pulling back from most U.S. equities over concerns of rising interest rates and continued economic uncertainty. For the month, the Dow and S&P 500 lost 5.1% and 2.4%...

Monday, January 6, 2025

Investors have enjoyed back-to-back strong years in the U.S. stock market with the S&P 500 gaining in excess of 20% in 2023 and 2024. Over the same time period, the U.S. bond market continues to falter, with the Bloomberg U.S. Bond...

Monday, December 16, 2024

The question on most investors’ minds is what actions the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) – the policy-making arm of the Federal Reserve (Fed) - will take in 2025. It is important to understand who the Federal Reserve is, their...

Thursday, December 12, 2024

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Thursday, December 12, 2024

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Thursday, December 12, 2024

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Thursday, December 12, 2024

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Monday, December 2, 2024

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Monday, December 2, 2024

As inflation began to accelerate in late 2021 and interest rates began to skyrocket in early 2022, news outlets have regularly written about the Federal Reserve (Fed) and the actions they have taken over the past few years. To...

Thursday, November 14, 2024

Coming as no surprise to many investors, October was a challenging month in the global investment markets. In the month following the Federal Reserve’s first interest rate cut in more than four years, the markets consolidated and...

Monday, November 4, 2024

Bonds have always been thought of as a vital part of any truly balanced investment portfolio. With stocks and bond often, but not always, being negatively correlated (prices move in opposite directions), bonds can help reduce the...

Thursday, October 17, 2024

Investors not only survived, but flourished, in September which historically is the most volatile month of the year. With the Federal Reserve’s first cut in interest rates since March 2020 coming last month, with a 0.50% (or 50 basis...

Monday, October 2, 2023

When thinking about their financial future, most people typically consider the benefits of establishing a retirement plan. There are many factors that influence which type of plan is best for each person, including goals, financial and...

Friday, September 1, 2023

On August 2, 2023, for the second time in history, the United States long-term credit rating was downgraded by Fitch Ratings from AAA to a rating of AA+. So, what does that mean for the average investor? US Treasuries have...

Tuesday, August 1, 2023

Fiscal policy, the tax and spending policies of the federal government, are decisions voted and enacted by the Congress and the Administration; the Federal Reserve (Fed), or central bank, plays no role in the creation or implementation...

Thursday, August 11, 2022

Since its beginnings in 2008 with Bitcoin, cryptocurrency has changed the investing landscape forever. Since that time, the industry has grown to more than 10,000 “cryptos” by March 2022. This explosive growth is most noteworthy from...