Behavioral biases directly challenge an investor’s ability to make consistent, rational and logical investment decisions when faced with distractions. These distractions come from the media, uncertainty and volatility in the markets, or pressure to buy and sell from friends, relatives, financial “gurus” and other less than reliable sources for investment advice. Being able to identify distractions and put them in context can help investors see beyond their own human nature and act with more discipline...

In recent years the number of people getting divorced in their fifties and later has been climbing—rather steeply. According to a recent study, one in four divorces are initiated by couples over the age 50.[i] If a divorce occurs close to retirement it can be incredibly challenging to recover from a loss of assets and, according to Susan Brown, author of Gray Divorce: A Growing Risk Regardless of Class or Education, a study on the...

When the time comes to retire there can be mixed emotions. On the one hand you are excited, right? Most people approaching retirement have worked diligently for four or five decades and the prospect of switching up that early morning, five day per week routine is certainly something to look forward to. On the other hand, feelings of apprehension can arise when you think about all that time. What if the things that you’ve looked...

We had no idea that global headlines would be full of stories about on-line threats just days before we published a blog on enhancing cybersecurity! In fact, the ink “dried” on our newest post a few days before the most recent tech scare hit the news. Although the solutions in the following article are not 100% “hacker-proof”, they will offer the best protection from threats like ransomware, malware and identity theft. We hope our blog...

Retirement is definitely a major life transition and can create challenges to strong relationships. After years of happiness, sometimes one or both spouses can find themselves feeling alienated from the new situation or otherwise frustrated by the change. We often consider the financial implications when approaching retirement, but can overlook how our marriage or relationship might be affected when the time comes to retire. It is difficult to anticipate what changes might take place with...

In a time when everyone is an expert or has instant access to expert advice through the internet, there are aspects of financial planning and investment management that are overlooked when determining whether to hire a professional or do it yourself. In addition to experience and credentials in financial planning and portfolio advisement, advisors are mentors to their clients who can often be the difference in setting and accomplishing long-term financial goals and falling short...