What’s on our mind
Introducing Our ‘Casual Friday Video’ Series: Jamaican Beach Hut and Diversification
What does portfolio diversification and a Jamaican Beach Store have in common? Surprising quite a bit! Starting with our first video, each Friday we will take a financial topic and break it down into a fun and relatable lesson! In this lesson we break down how to...
Is FEGLI boiling you alive? Lessons from the ‘Boiling Frog’ on making smarter insurance decisions.
The boiling frog is a fable describing a frog being slowly boiled alive. All gore aside, the premise is that if a frog is put suddenly into boiling water, it will jump out. However, if the frog is put in room temp water which is then brought to a boil slowly, the...
Rooting for a Happy Ending: Covid-19 Economic Update Webinar Replay Available
Three months ago, COVID-19 was an internet meme poking fun at a specific Mexican beer. One month later it evolved into the biggest economic and health crisis this country has faced in decades. Today—as the virus and our economic conditions have further changed it...
Why haven’t you put up your house for sale yet? Thoughts on how to keep the peace despite your current portfolio performance
Thankfully, the first quarter of 2020 is FINALLY over. The results are in and they’re not pretty. If you’ve dared to open and take a peek at your statement you may be in for some shock. You might even see a decline in your account and think to yourself, “I didn’t know...
The Fog of War: Lessons from Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo in our investment battle against COVID-19
Last week, as I sat on a call with some of the leading experts detailing the stimulus afforded by the CARES Act to combat the COVID-19, I alternated between fighting feelings of hopelessness and hopefulness. Our lawmakers are hoping that the legislation – a...
TSP Distribution Rules and the Coronavirus Don’t Mix
In September of 2019, the TSP rolled out their much-anticipated new distributions rules and regulations required by the TSP Modernization Act of 2017. With the approval of this law, it finally brought thousands of retired TSP participants relief from the previous...
Being greedy when others are fearful: Our take on the Markets as of 3/12/2020
Dear friends, U.S. stocks fell again on Wednesday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average closing in bear market territory, down 20.3% from its recent peak back in February. The S&P 500 Index was down 19% from its February peak. Today, as of this writing (3:00pm...
Our thoughts on the Market Volatility and the Coronavirus.
We want to take a moment to update you on our thoughts related to the coronavirus and its impact on the financial markets, and, ultimately, on your personal financial situation. Going into this New Year, many stock markets around the world were trading near all-time...
Have you checked out your Spotify Wrapped? How about the same for your finances?
Have you checked out your year-end Spotify Wrapped? How about doing the same for your budget?
Unhappy with your 403(b) and want to move? It may cost you because annuities force you to surrender.
About 76% of assets in 403(b) plans are in annuity-based products. Almost all of those annuities contain surrender charges. So, before investing in one of these annuities it pays to understand how these charges work and what it means for you.
You think the defense of the Detroit Lions is bad? Most people’s personal defense is even worse.
According to the Life Insurance and Market Research Association, only 57% of American adults currently have life insurance! That is down two percentage points from 2018 and a full six points from five years ago. Of those who have life insurance, 32% only own group coverage through their employer or some sort of work. LIMRA estimates that group coverage usually leaves a coverage gap of an average of $225,000.
Why the F-Fund is the Rodney Dangerfield of the TSP
Would you know that the least popular fund in the Thrift Savings Plan is also the best performing fund in the last year? Over the last 12 months, the F-Fund has a 10.32% return compared to the G-Fund at 2.57%. But that’s also higher than the C-Fund (which tracks the...