Blog
Financial Pathways Spring Happenings
As spring is springing, and the pandemic is easing, Financial Pathways is also hopping with activity and news. Here is a little of what's going on: Carlos has started his basic training (Air Force Reserves) and has left us for the next...
Read MoreTime for a Tax Return Review?
OK, taxes are done (well, maybe not quite this year...) and maybe you are ready to put taxes to the back of your mind for a while. But maybe not quite yet. As soon as last years taxes are done, it's time to start planning for next year...
Read MoreJim and Laura to Host Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University
Financial Pathways is pleased to announce that Jim and Laura will once again be hosting a Financial Peace University course. Best of all - we are bringing it right to your living room, That's right - FPU has gone virtual! Do you make...
Read MoreBond Market Sends a Warning to Washington
Bond Market Sends a Warning to Washington No Congressman, there is no such thing as Santa Claus. And to policy makers in Washington, the deep pool of money you have been happily tapping into for the past decade or so may actually have...
Read MoreInterest Rates Back in Focus.
Markets Start to Worry Again about Inflation and Interest Rates Interest rates are extremely important to the stock market, and are an important economic indicator as well. When interest rates go down, everyone is happy. Companies can...
Read MoreShow All
President Biden's Tax Proposals
The Presidents Tax Proposals have Significant Financial Planning implications The president has made no secret about his desire to raise taxes on wealthier individuals. In fact, his tax proposals have been very specific. Here are a few...
Read MoreWe Just Aren't Wired to Think about This Stuff
A Financial Planner has some Fun with Numbers... In his best selling book “Thinking Fast and Thinking Slow” brain science researcher Daniel Kahneman considers how easily our brains are fooled. First reactions are often...
Read MoreGame Stop, Blackberry, Bitcoin, and now Silver?
Bubbles are brewing but the broad market remains unaffected so far News of investor mania spread well beyond the financial press last week. Almost everyone has heard by now of the crazed speculation that drove stock price of the...
Read MoreFixed Income Investing in a 1% World
Fixed Income Investing Needs Hands On Approach in 2021 OK, I know in advance I am going to bore some readers to tears with this topic. There is no way I know of to make a post on fixed income investing into a very compelling read! But...
Read MoreDon't Lose Sight of the Big Picture
Well, it’s been a year since I joined the Financial Pathways team, and oh what a year it has been! Despite only working in person for two and a half months, I’m amazed at how much I’ve gotten to know our clients....
Read MoreLong Term Care Planning is Messy
Long Term Care Planning Long term care planning is one of the most challenging parts of my job as a financial planner. None of the solutions I can recommend feel very good, and no one really wants to think about it much. If I had a...
Read MoreCarlos Ruiz Demonstrates His Expertise in Student Loan Planning
I am proud to announce that our own Carlos Ruiz, after months of exhaustive study, has completed all the requirements to become a Certified Student Loan Professional (CSLP). Student loan planning is highly specialized business. The...
Read MorePay Off the Mortgage?
A frequent question we are asked by financial planning clients is "Should I pay off or pay down my mortgage". This recent article from Morningstar does a good job answering this question. If you don't want to read the entire article,...
Read MoreIs The Inflation Bear Dead? Or Merely Napping?
Two generations have entered adulthood without having ever experienced inflation. Even as a baby boomer, my memories are foggy. I was in high school and college when inflation last raged, so I was not fully exposed to its impacts. I do...
Read More2020 Year End Tax Planning
Well, we are almost ready to put 2020 behind us. From a social, economic, and health point of view, 2020 was certainly the pits. From a financial point of view, as long as you were either retired or were able to hold onto your job, it...
Read MoreThe Sheer Folly of Market Timing Exposed (again!)
Oh how the market so likes to make fools of us mortals. All year there have been two things that investors have been agonizing over. The Virus. The Election. Surely such a bitterly contested election would cause markets to swoon,...
Read MorePost Election Policy and Investment Markets
It is the day before the election which we have all been led to believe will be the most disruptive to markets in our generation, and what are markets doing? Up strongly as we approach midday. The more economically sensitive small...
Read MoreWhy Warren Buffett Drives a Beater
One of the Worlds Richest Men Attributes his great wealth to understanding a simple financial concept Warren Buffett was asked once about why, as one of the world’s richest men, he didn’t every buy or own a new car. His...
Read MoreTis the Season…For Annoying Medicare Advertising!
Open Enrollment is here, along with the usual ad barrage Every year at this time Medicare offers “open enrollment” – basically a chance to revisit your Medicare coverage and select an alternative. Choosing a plan can...
Read MoreWhat Will the Election mean for Investments?
The upcoming election makes a lot of investors nervous. In particular this election has everyone on edge. It certainly looks as if there could be turmoil around the time of the election, particularly if there are legal challenges and...
Read MoreIs Retirement Bad for Your Health?
As financial planners, we spend a lot of timing talking about the finances and mathematics surrounding retirement. The assumption is that retirement is always a good thing, and a goal to strive for. But it turns out HOW you retire can...
Read MoreCOVID update and August Markets Update
New Jersey Financial Planner provides COVID update and suggests reasons for strong stock market recovery in the midst of pandemic
Read MoreThe Futility of Predictions
Investing Based on Predictions about the Future is More Difficult than it Seems. Last week I wrote how in the 1990's, investors enthusiasm for tech stocks of every flavor was fueled by a belief that the Internet was going to...
Read MoreIs It Time to Pull Out the Investment Roadmap from 1999-2000?
Will every generation need to learn about Bubbles the Hard Way? My generation was just beginning to enter our peak investment years around the turn of the century. We were entering our peak earning years, starting to save for...
Read MoreDealing with an Income Interruption
I hope that if any of my readers, or their friends or family are facing an income crisis due to current events, the following tips may prove helpful. For many people, even those who lost their jobs due to the pandemic, 2020 has been...
Read MoreThe Topsy Turvy Counter Intuitive Covid Economy
The attached Bloomberg article offers some interesting insights into our new and somewhat crazy economic reality, at least for any of you economic nerds out there. https://www.morningstar...
Read MoreMay Goings On at Financial Pathways
Financial Pathways Update and News Obviously this pandemic has turned everyone’s life upside down, and life at Financial Pathways has been no different. In addition to figuring out how to work at home while still providing...
Read MoreWhat You Really Buy When You Buy Stock Investments
And Why Many Investors Overestimate The Impact of Short Term Events A few weeks ago, when the stock market was collapsing and people were panicking, I wrote that all would eventually be ok. That the market was overreacting. And even if...
Read MoreThoughts on a Jekyll and Hyde Stock Market
Markets Swing from Predicting Armageddon to Rose Colored Glasses? OK, as markets stabilized, I took a bit of a break from my almost daily updates during the month of March. I apologize if it appears that I disappeared for a while, I...
Read MoreFinancial Pathways Embraces Online Financial Planning
What was once strange is now commonplace. Ok, I know, financial planning and advice is about as personal as it gets. And we like the personal touch as much as the next guy. But what I am learning as I get used to this “Work At...
Read MoreReally Important Stimulus Details You Need to Know
Understanding How the Program Works is Key to Not Getting Left Out Rather than the month or quarter end investment review I usually do on the first of the month, I am going to walk through some of what I’ve learned about the...
Read MoreWhere to Find Cash in an Emergency
Markets have stabilized a bit recently, so I will take a break from talking investment strategies and consider other concerns that may have arisen from the crisis. Like how do I pay my bills? OK, so maybe you (or someone you love) lost...
Read MoreHoly Roller Coaster Batman - Best Dow Day Since 1933
Went to cash yesterday? Oops! Told you market timing is tough. I’m actually starting to used to 5 – 10% moves in the stock market. What used to be unheard of is now commonplace. Indeed today stocks soared by over 10% for...
Read MoreWhat are the Investment Superstars Doing in this Crisis?
Investment Insights from the Best in the GameIn 2008, it was Warren Buffett who famously came out and cajoled people to buy stocks that were being offered at fire sale prices. Many forget that stocks continued to slide for another...
Read MoreYour Economic Crisis Survival Guide
Your Economic Crisis Management Guide We face a future more uncertain than at any time since the dark days of 2008. Now, as then, we have little visibility as to what the future holds. I have been poring over economists forecast...
Read MoreMy Latest Update - 3 Pieces of Good News
If you are like me, you are feeling desperate for some good news, so I offer up two bits that will probably be lost in the cacophony of local closings and lockdowns. Good News 1. At least as of lunchtime today, markets are calmed down...
Read MoreEconomic Recovery will Depend on DC Policy Action
Protecting Businesses from Impact of Distancing Policies will be Key to Future Recovery OK, here we are now, with an economy that only weeks ago was the envy of the world – now appearing to implode around us. So much like 2008,...
Read MoreA Silver Lining to the Virus Economy - in Mortgages
Mortgage Rates Hitting Historic Lows Due to Virus There will be a lot of turmoil and economic pain as a result of this coronavirus situation. My heart goes out to the business owners and their workers who will suffer. The S&P 500...
Read MoreDiscovering Opportunity Cloaked in Fear
Investment Discipline that is Easy in a Booming Market Can be Really Tough in Times Like These So today was a doozy. Stocks fell by 10% in the biggest one day loss since Black Friday of 1987 (or was it Black Tuesday?). But in my almost...
Read MoreOn the Importance of Vision, Courage and Leadership in a Time of Crisis
Economic Policy and Coronavirus Warning. This post is a little wonkier than my usual, as I sit and ruminate over arcane matters of politics and economic policy. Markets seem to be stabilizing and recovering a little today. In fact, if...
Read MoreWhen Markets Go Crazy, Focus on the Plan
Riding Out Financial Turmoil by Focusing on the Long Term Financial Plan As if we haven't already been on a wild ride over the last two weeks, the Saudi’s added to the uncertainty over the weekend by effectively declared economic...
Read MoreStop the Ride! I Want to Get Off!
Stock market swings bring back childhood memories. I remember when I was a kid, my great aunt and uncle took us to Seaside to go on the rides. I was a little tyke, so the little boats and cars that ride around in a circle was about my...
Read MoreStock Market Drop Magnified by Computerized Trading
Comuterized Trading May Have Fed both Last Years Calm, and the Present Chaos Anyone who pays attention to markets may have noticed that over the past decade, markets have behaved differently. We seem to have long periods of calm,...
Read MoreWhy the Coronavirus is Less Scary than the Financial Crisis
Coronavirus Threat to the Economy is Real But Not as Scary as 2008! This week is turning into an utter bloodbath for stocks. As fear of Coronavirus spreads, markets are speculating on the extent of the economic fallout. As I pointed...
Read MoreCoronavirus Rattles Markets
Coronavirus Fears and Your Investments Today was an ugly day in the markets. As the coronavirus persists and spreads, markets are finally waking up to the realization that this epidemic will have economic repercussions. As I had...
Read MoreJanuary Investment Climate and the Corona Virus
January Started Out Strong - Then Came the Corona Virus While markets held firm for most of January, at month’s end fears related to the Coronavirus overwhelmed what was otherwise appearing to be a modestly stronger global...
Read MoreNew Form W-4 for 2020
To Clients and Friends of Financial Pathways: I am so happy to be making my first post to the Financial Pathways blog. I’d like to share a recent experience I had during my first week at the firm. What do you do when a task that...
Read MoreWhat a Year for Investors
An Incredible Year for Investors Caps off A Strong Decade It is easy to forget, but just 12 months ago it seemed that the bottom was falling out of the stock market. Talk of recession was all over the news. Clients were calling me...
Read MoreCongress Changes Retirement Planning Rules
Rule Changes May Create Financial Planning Opportunities for Some, while increasing tax expense for others. Just when it seems like Washington is completely dysfunctional, Senate pas(sed the SECURE act – a bill that overhauls tax...
Read MoreFinancial Planning is Much More than Investments
Selecting Investments is just the "Tip of The Pyramid" Morningstar is a great resource for financial information, and their retirement columnist Christine Benz is one of their best. In todays posting, she discusses the fact that too...
Read MoreExciting News from Financial Pathways
A New Addition to the Financial Pathways Team for 2020 I am thrilled to announce the addition of Carlos Ruiz to the Financial Pathways team. Carlos will be joining Financial Pathways as a financial planner starting on Jan 2. Carlos is...
Read MorePaul Volcker and Memories of a Different Economy
Paul Volcker passed away yesterday. Most folks younger than me who are not interested in economics could be forgiven for not knowing the name. But Paul Volker was truly an American hero. It is funny how people who lived through the...
Read MoreSchwab and TD Ameritrade Merger
As I recently shared with clients in an email on the topic, I am not thrilled with the prospect of a Charles Schwab / TD Ameritrade merger. We will be sticking with them through the transition, I suppose, in part because changing...
Read MoreJobs Growth Continues to Power the Economy
December Employment Report Shockingly Good We all complain that the media ignores good news. Well, today there was some really good economic news, so let's talk about that for a change! Despite all the political shennanigans and...
Read MoreNovember Investment and Economic Update
Markets and the Economy December 2019 2019 is almost over and, despite the equity markets experiencing a rocky start so far in December, it is likely going to go down in the books as an excellent year for investors. As far as the...
Read MoreSaving Your Charitable Deduction
Since the 2017 Tax Reform Act, most people have had limited opportunity to benefit from itemized deductions. We all know about the $10,000 limit on property tax deductions, but on top of that, the new expanded standard deduction means...
Read MoreIs the Student Loan System Beyond Repair?
Top Education Deputy Resigns - calls student loan system "broken" https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2019/10/24/devos-appointed-official-resigns-calls-sweeping-student-loan-forgiveness/ Interestingly, Dr. Johnson also praises the...
Read MoreWhat is an Aging Life Care Coordinator?
Rapidly Expanding Field of Geriatric Care Management fills a Growing Need As the nations population of elderly continues to explode, there is a new business model that is starting to take hold. Not sure what we should even call them,...
Read MoreWhat Is The Greatest Risk to Your Retirement Plan?
Hint: it's not the stock market. What do you think is the greatest risk to your retirement plan? Most people probably answer a stock market crash. And some might say inflation. And yes, these are significant threats and risks that your...
Read MoreJim Kinney quoted in Kiplingers
Your humble advisor was quoted in last month's issue of Kiplingers Personal Finance. (click here to read the entire article - my commentary is toward the end - slide 14). The article was titled "13 ways to simplify your finances"....
Read MoreA Strong Labor Economy
Today's unemployment claims number was impressive, unemployment claims have been hovering near ALL TIME LOWS for many months. That is amazing, when you consider that the number of people working today is so much higher than 20 or 30...
Read MoreOnline Safety - A Real Life Phishing Example
Phishing attacks are becoming more sophisticated - Be careful out there! Phishing refers to the exercise of sending out email, pretending to be someone else, in the hopes of fooling the unsuspecting reader into reading an email and...
Read MoreCongress’ Bipartisan SECURE Money Grab
"SECURE" retirement act takes the axe to favorable tax treatment of inherited IRA accounts Today I stray into the turbulent and dangerous waters of political commentary. But I feel safe, because in this case taxpayers are being fleeced...
Read MoreFinancial Planning Advice for Buying a Home
Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you will ever make. Shouldn't it be part of a balanced and well considered financial plan? Buying a home is synonymous with The American Dream. And when done prudently,...
Read MoreGetting Ready to Leave NJ? Not so Fast....
New Jersey Ranks Fourth in List of "Best States to Live In?" Crazy? Not according to the editors and writers of this article at Wallet Hub. Well, first of all, I am going to presume that the experts at Wallet Hub don't pay as much in...
Read MoreStocks Take a Breather in May
Stocks take a Spring Break. After a blistering rally in the first four months of the year, stocks finally take a breather in May. Markets look set to continue the recent trend of volatility, as uncertainty regarding future direction of...
Read MoreMoney Magazine Takes on Dave Ramsey
Money Magazine Takes on Dave Ramsey I am a fan of Dave Ramsey. OK, he can be at times a bit too certain of his own “rightness” – but I find him to be a great entertainer, more often than not compassionate with his...
Read MoreCan You REALLY Afford It?
Questions to Ask Before Taking on New Debt. As a Certified Financial Planner, I am often called on to help people out of money jams. And the majority of those money jams are a result of poor major purchase decisions. Too big a house,...
Read MoreA Smaller Refund Does Not Mean You paid More Taxes!
Clearing up Misconceptions Regarding the Trump Tax Bill. OK, right out of the gate, I am not here to defend or disparage the president or the Tax Bill that was passed last year. Wading into that political maelstrom is the last thing I...
Read MoreA Financial Planner's Musing on Valentine's Day
Which is More Romantic? Flowers? Or Paying Down Credit Card Debt? OK, this is a day late for Valentine’s Day, but we consider it a reflection on the holiday. We all know Valentine’s day is a holiday that seems invented by...
Read MoreRecession Coming? Don't Tell That to Employers!
Holy Cow. Employment Blow Out. And another reason to discount the prevailing narratives being sold to us by the media while doing our financial planning. Commentators have been focusing of late on statistics indicating the economy...
Read More8 Financial Planning Resolutions for 2019
Here is a list of possible financial resolutions you might make for 2019. Most of them are a heck of a lot easier than losing 20 pounds or starting that exercise regimen! 8 Financial Planning Resolutions for 2019 Start a Household...
Read MoreStock Market Frets as Main Street Celebrates a Strong Holiday Season
Stock Valuations Cheapest Since 2013 The recent selloff in stocks has a bright side. Stocks are the cheapest they have been since 2013, according to this article on Yahoo Finance today. Many investors had worried about high stock...
Read MoreMaking the Most of a Not Very Festive Market
A Lump of Coal in Your Christmas Investment Stocking? No way to sugar coat recent stock market action – markets have been entirely un-festive this year. Today we hit a fifteen month low for US stocks – which are rapidly...
Read MoreHow to Get Out of Debt - A Case Study
Here is an article which I found very inspiring. It is the story of a young woman who found herself, early in life, with a large debt load, and poor job prospects. What is inspiring is how she addressed the problem, took ownership of...
Read MoreImportance of a Health Care POA for adult children
During the financial planning process, we will often suggest that clients ensure that several key estate planning documents are in place and current. The key documents are a will, a Durable Power of Attorney, a heath directive, and a...
Read MoreRiding Beneath the Waves - A Long Term View of Market Volatility
Waves and Froth The month of November exhibited a continuation of uncertainty in markets. The month started off with a strong recovery for stocks from a terrible October, followed by another drop, then another recovery toward the end...
Read MoreMaking the Most of Your Charitable Donation in 2018
There May Still Be a Way to Obtain Tax Benefits for Your Charitable Donation. One of the results of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act is that the vast majority of Americans will no longer be itemizing deductions on their tax returns. The...
Read MoreMarket Conditions and Timing Your Retirement
Should Market Conditions Influence Your Retirement Decision? There is much said about the risk of retiring at the peak of a market. It is generally considered that such timing is not good for the retiree. However, in real life, most...
Read MoreThinking Like a Business Owner
Thinking Like a Business Owner US stocks continue their slump. Tech stocks which had run up sharply earlier in the year are giving back nearly all of this years gains and more as investors come to doubt the sales and profit assumptions...
Read MoreOne Percent, Two Percent – What’s the Big Deal?
Small Differences in Rate of Return can Have Big Impacts We financial advisors throw percentages around as if everyone understands exactly what they mean. But I suspect that most people haven’t really though through the nuance of...
Read MoreThink Like a Real Estate Mogul – and Become a Better Investor
A Healthier (and More Realistic) Way of Looking At Investments Investment experts frequently speak of the need to think long term. To ignore the ups and downs of daily or monthly market movements. And, while logic is on their side...
Read MoreWas That Just a Tremor - Or is It The Big One?
After 6 straight down days in the stock market, and 2 consecutive days of significant losses, traders and investors struggled to answer this question today. The market rallied, then fell back - then finished the day (and a tumultuous...
Read MoreHow Long Do Market Corrections Take to Recover?
Stocks were down sharply for the second day in a row today - and I believe this is the 6th down day in a row. The term "correction" is used if the market falls by 10% or more. 20% or more becomes a bear market. I don't think we have...
Read MoreLast Week in Markets
Good Employment News Was Bad News for Investors In a counter-intuitive case of “good news is bad news” the bond and (in turn) stock markets both reacted negatively to an employment report that showed the economy humming...
Read MoreNew Jersey Tax Regime Now More Favorable to Retirees
But sound financial planning is necessary to avoid the income trap! It seems everyone wants to leave New Jersey as soon as they retire. However, retirees may want to look closer before they leap out of state to a less expensive...
Read MoreCollege Without Debt Is Not Impossible
I Get a Lesson In College Financial Planning: By My Hair Sylist. It is now almost universally accepted as truth that the days where a youngster could work their way through college are over, a victim of the relentless (and ridiculous)...
Read MoreNegotiating Better Terms on Your Credit Card
Financial planners tend to be very debt averse. The best advice I can offer regarding consumer debt of any kind is just avoid it in the first place. Save up for future purchases, pay cash or use debt cards for most purchases, and never...
Read MoreSuccessful Budgeting is All in Your Head.
How You Think about the Process Is Key Determinant of Success Most people hate the idea of “Being on a Budget”. The very term implies some kind of failure. That there is failure in not having enough money to do and have...
Read MoreGDP Report is Mostly Good News
Strong Growth in US Economy, Savings Rate Surprise Economic geeks will have a busy day today parsing data in an unusually detailed GDP report. In general, data show a strong economy, and in some ways, a populous that is somewhat more...
Read MoreStudent Loan Repayment Plans and Loan Forgiveness
Many financial planners don't like to get "dirty" with complicated issues such as student loans. They like to focus on managing large sums of money. OK, that's where the big $ are, so who can blame them. But we get excited about...
Read MoreMarket and Investment Mid Year Update
Mixed Q2 Results Amid Increased Market Volatility Performance has been mixed over the last quarter. US stocks did well. Foreign stocks lagged. Bonds started off down as interest rates rose – then recovered somewhat. Diversified...
Read More10 Biggest Retirement Challenges Facing Baby Boomers
Financial Planning Will be Crucial as Baby Boomers Face a Host of Financial Challenges I just read a great (but depressing) article in the Wall Street Journal decrying the pitiful state my generation finds itself in as we approach (or...
Read MoreBut It’s a BLUE CHIP Company!
The Fall of General Electric Reinforces the Importance of Diversification What does that mean anyway, “blue chip” company? The term actually derives from poker. Poker chips are typically red, white, and blue – and the...
Read MoreSocial Security Benefits Expected to Increase in 2019
It looks as if Social Security benefits may be increasing at a faster rate in 2019. In this video, I discuss the implications for seniors (spoiler alert: don't start your happy dance just yet...), and the factors driving the increased...
Read MoreMarket (Briefly) Makes It's Case for Bonds
Oh Yeah, THAT’S Why I Wanted Bonds in the Portfolio It is so easy for investors to get caught up in the popular Wall Street chatter. Interest rates have nowhere to go but up. Bonds are doomed to ever increasing losses. Everyone...
Read MoreThe OTHER Threat to Your Retirement Portfolio
Inflation is a Real, Persistent, but Underappreciated Threat to Retirement Success Driving with my dad the other day he said he needed to stop at a department store to buy some new pajamas. That led (somewhat invevitably when...
Read MoreCan You be Trusted to Manage Your Own Finances in Retirement?
Studies conclusively demonstrate that mathematical reasoning and financial acumen peak at around age 53, and then gradually begin to decline with age, accelerating as people age into the 70s and 80s. What are the implications for...
Read MoreAvoiding Pitfalls of Student Loan Debt
How We are Crushing Our Kids with Student Loans (and how to avoid doing so to YOUR kids!) “Don’t worry about it – There is Plenty of Financial Aid Available” That’s about the extent of financial advice...
Read MoreHow Higher Interest Rates Impact Investors
Higher Interest Rates: Bad News for Investors, Good News for Savers? The experts have been predicting it ever since the financial crisis. Higher inflation will result from all the government fiscal stimulus. Such inflation will force...
Read MoreStill time to make your 2017 Retirement Plan Contributions
Deadline for 2017 Retirement Contributions approaches Next Monday April 16th is the deadline for making your 2017 IRA / SEP / Roth contributions. If you haven't yet gotten around to it, consider making a contribution this week. Who can...
Read MoreTrade War or Bluster
Markets are being buffeted by fears of a trade war, as the US and China increase rhetoric on trade. Markets are up one way, down the next as markets try to figure out the long term implications of trade rhetoric. Let's try to cut past...
Read MoreBig Tech May Not Be Invincible After All
Markets Deliver a Lesson in Stock Pricing and the Role of Investor Expectations. FAANG stocks (Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, and Google) have been stock market darlings for the past year. Big tech stocks outperformed everything...
Read MoreStocks Selling Off Again
Stocks have been selling off the last few days. This time, unlike February, the move looks less like a computer generated frenzy, and more like a good old fashioned market correction. What is driving it? Well, the media blames it on...
Read MoreIs My Mortgage Interest Deductible in 2018?
Information and misinformation over the tax bill is maddening. I have spent the last 2 hours researching the topic of how mortgage interest will be taxed under the new tax bill. I still can’t get a completely straight answer. The...
Read MoreNew Tax Law Data Integrated into Financial Plans
Kudos to our financial planning software provider, Right Capital. Only 2 weeks into the year and they have managed to update the planning software with the new tax rules. As a reminder to folks, the tax law made significant changes...
Read MoreKeeping Your Identity Safe
Your identity is perhaps your most important financial asset. Despite all the press given to recent cybersecurity breaches and the issue of identity theft, it seems many people still don’t give the issue the attention it deserves...
Read MoreSaving your Charitable Deduction Under the New Tax Bill
Retirees may still be able to get a deduction for charitable donations under the new tax bill, even if they no longer itemize. The new tax law retains tax law provisions which allow individuals over age 70 ½ to make donations to...
Read MoreUpdate on tax planning advice
A few last minute (really last minute) thoughts on tax planning for 2018. Prepaying Property Taxes. I had recommended in a previous post how most taxpayers – namely those who have property tax bills over $10,000 per year, as well...
Read MoreUnderstanding the New Tax Code and What You May Need to do NOW to benefit
I have held off commenting much on the new GOP tax code because, frankly, it was all noise until the final bill was drafted and released to the public. That happened on Friday. So, let’s look at how it benefits you. I am going...
Read MoreUnderstanding the New Tax Code and What You May Need to do NOW to benefit
I have held off commenting much on the new GOP tax code because, frankly, it was all noise until the final bill was drafted and released to the public. That happened on Friday. So, let’s look at how it benefits you. I am going...
Read MoreNew Jersey Moves Out of the Worst 10 List!
It seems as though every time I see a financial article entitled "Worst 10 States for...", New Jersey is on the list. So it is quite refreshing to see that New Jersey is NOT included on Kiplingers Personal Finance just released ranking...
Read MoreIs Bitcoin the Next Amazon?
A Bitcoin purchased in January of this year for about $750 would have increased to over $8000. A tremendous run-up to be sure. With that kind of return, surely some are wondering if Bitcoin belongs in their investment portfolio. What...
Read MoreWelcome our New Intern
Please join Luba and I in welcoming Jordan Coleman to the Financial Pathways family. Jordan is a business/finance student at Raritan Valley Community College and be interning with us over the next several months. She may be in touch...
Read MoreGiving Expired Gift Cards New Life
OK, this post isn't about any complicated financial strategy, and the advice herein won't make a bit of difference to your retirement plan. But it may come in useful someday anyway. As a complete financial geek, I've often wondered...
Read MoreUp, Up, and Away Soar Stock Prices in October
Up, Up, and Away! Investment clients will find October reports posted to the Morningstar portal today. The stock market has now set a new record of 12 straight months without recording a monthly loss. Meanwhile the S&P 500 is extending...
Read MoreA New Record? Time to Think About Risk.
No, not for my running career, although I keep trying. It’s a record for the stock market. In fact, we have set (or are about to set) two records of note this week. Big deal, the stock market is always setting records, you say?...
Read MoreTime to Shop Your Medicare Plan
We would like to remind all of our senior clients that Medicare open enrollment started on October 15, and continues through December 5. That means it is time to reconsider your Medicare health plan selections, and whether your current...
Read MoreProtecting Your Identity and Credit
Lets Face it - Your Identity has been compromised. This is the topic of the week - I have already received numerous calls on the topic from clients worried about the latest high profile hack at Equifax. But even if you weren't affected...
Read MoreStudent Loan Forgiveness Traps and Pitfalls
Income Based Repayment and Forgiveness programs are a minefield of tax and financial complexity! The foolishness that is the U.S. government's student loan policy gets crazier and crazier the more you study it and dig into the details....
Read MoreCognitive Decline and Money Management
Safeguards can protect aging parents (or an aging you!) from money mistakes As financial advisors, we have a unique insight into people’s lives. If something is amiss in a client’s life, we will usually be one of the first...
Read MoreFinancial Pathways Hosts Financial Education Event
Jim and Laura Kinney to Host Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University Financial Peace University is a 9 week financial education program developed by radio talk show host and best selling author Dave Ramsey (Total Money Makeover). Jim...
Read MoreJuly Market and Investment Performance
So July is in the books, and not much has changed. The stock market has continued its slow but steady grind higher. Good performance by the stock sleeve of the portfolio pulled our investor portfolios higher for July, the fifth...
Read MorePast Performance Can't Guarantee - But It Can Be Informative
Look Past Recent Performance To Include Dissimilar Markets Markets have been very strong of late. Stocks have done well since the election, and bonds have yet to react negatively to rising interest rates. International stocks in...
Read MoreSetting A Sustainable Pace for Retirement Distributions
I have been getting more and more into running over the past few years. A few weeks ago, I joined my daughter in running a 1/2 marathon in Buffalo. I did some reflecting the other day on similarities between distance running and...
Read MoreMay Market and Investment Strategy Update
Stability, Stability, Stability – Markets are Being so BORING. Nothing seems to frighten the markets anymore. Not a North Korean madman with nuclear weapons. Not a Chinese debt bubble that makes our mortgage debt crisis look like...
Read MoreRansomware and Cyber Security
OK, this is a bit of technical advice, not financial advice. And I am not the most qualified person to advise on this. But since many of you may have personal data on your computers - including financial data, I figure it is at least...
Read MoreCase Studies of the Rich, Famous, and Bankrupt
More Money is Not Always the Answer to Financial Problems! Anyone who is struggling to pay their bills and keep the household financial ship afloat can be forgiven for thinking that a little more money will solve their problems....
Read MoreIs Social Security Really Doomed?
Most of my financial planning clients, and almost everyone else I speak with, share the opinion that Social Security is doomed to failure. A deeper understanding of the program suggests that this most pessimistic view is not warranted.
Read MoreDon't Forget Your Umbrella!
Umbrella Insurance That Is. It's often overlooked, and in my experience, rarely even mentioned by insurance providers. But umbrella insurance is incredibly important to protecting your financial life in the event of a major legal...
Read MoreGet Real About Retirement Planning!
This is an article that anyone thinking ahead to retirement ought to read / listen to. The CNBC piece (click here to view) makes many of the points I have made to clients in our financial planning sessions regarding the danger of...
Read MoreIndependent Fee Based Model Catching On
According to an article in today's Wall Street Journal, consumers are voting with their money, and the vote is overwhelmingly in favor of the independent, fee-only advisory model. This is a vindication of sorts for Financial Pathways...
Read MoreCreating a Household Budget Using Everydollar
How to Create and Manage a Household Budget The most important single step most people can make toward improving their financial lives is to begin living on a budget. Sound intimidating? It shouldn't be! A budget is about seizing...
Read MorePurge Your Debt for a Worry Free Retirement
A Look at Living with Debt in Retirement A growing number of seniors are carrying debt with them into retirement. What are the implications? According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the percentage of homeowners 65 and...
Read MoreIntroducing Financial Pathways Coaching
Jim and Laura Kinney Trained and Certified by Financial Radio Host and Author Dave Ramsey Back in June Laura and I traveled to Nashville to be trained by radio talk show host Dave Ramsey. We learned how to coach people using the...
Read MoreBond Market Losses May Have A Silver Lining
Rising Interest Rates are All Bad News for Income Investors The Federal Reserve made news today by raising interest rates ¼ of 1%. No big surprise there, but they did surprise the market by suggesting that Fed members were...
Read MoreTrump Wins – Now What?
Wow. Shocker. I can’t even get my head around the idea of Donald Trump as my president. In a recent email to our investment clients, I had noted that Hillary Clinton appeared to be the clear favorite of the markets, and that...
Read MoreDying May Get Cheaper in New Jersey
Nothing is certain in life, they say, but death and taxes. And in New Jersey, death and taxes go together. But it looks as if dying in New Jersey may be a little less “taxing” in the future. We live in one of the few states...
Read MoreRetirement Success: Part Planning Part Luck
Retirement Success is Part Planning…And Part Luck The First Few Years of Retirement Can Make or Break a Plan I often explain to clients how important investment returns during the first few years of retirement can be. Big losses...
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