by Dave Conley on February 9, 2024.
As a seasoned financial planner with over three decades of experience in the industry, I've witnessed countless instances where investing common sense has clashed with our natural instincts. It's a fascinating paradox...
by Dave Conley on January 26, 2024.
Welcome to the complex yet fascinating world of investing. Like you, I am an investor and over the past five decades, I've had the privilege of witnessing the intricacies of financial markets, making my fair share of mistakes, and, most importantly, learning from them. As you embark on your investing journey, I'm here to share with you the ABCs of investing, with a touch of wisdom gained through experience.
by Randy Chalmers on August 18, 2023.
Let’s tackle a topic that has been on many investors’ minds in the last few years, and has prompted more than just a few blog postings. Being worried during market downturns is understandable and NORMAL; but I want to emphasize the importance of viewing investing as a long-term endeavor, and how to avoid (and why...
by Dave Conley on June 16, 2023.
If you have wondered: When should I start my Social Security ? Age 62... 67 or wait until 70 . What is the difference in benefits at the different ages ? I have heard that it is best to start as early as possible in case you don't live very long. If I start early how much can I earn before being penalized by Social Security ? Can I collect based on my spouse (or ex-spouse) earnings history?
by Dave Conley on June 6, 2023.
What determines the amount of your Social Security benefit? How to determine what your benefits? The mistake over 40% of all retirees make when starting their Social Security.
by Dave Conley on May 26, 2023.
Every few years we have this discussion about whether or not we are going to raise the debt ceiling. Let’s just be honest, the debt ceiling will be raised. Since 1960, it’s been raised 78 times (more than once a year). The chart below shows the times the debt ceiling has been raised since 1970....
by Dave Conley on May 12, 2023.
As a financial planner, I know that Social Security benefits are (or will be) a critical source of retirement income for many of our clients (and most Americans), particularly those who are 55 or older. According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), in 2021, the average monthly Social Security retirement benefit for a retired worker is $1,557. Over the next 3 weeks I will cover strategies you can take to maximize your potential Social Security benefit.
by Dave Conley on May 6, 2023.
As a financial planner with 25 years of experience, I understand that investing can be daunting, especially in uncertain times. With recent news of bank financial distress, it's natural for many clients to feel anxious about the safety of their investments. However, I'm here to assure you that the US economy, markets, and financial system are resilient, and there's no need to panic.
by Randy Chalmers on April 25, 2023.
Employer-sponsored retirement plans offering a Roth 401(k) have been slow to adapt to offering the Roth 401(k) alternative to their participants. In 2011 only 49% of plans included a Roth 401(k) option, however, in 2021 that number spiked to 88%. Although subtle, there are some differences between a Roth 401(k) and a Roth IRA we...
by Dave Conley on April 21, 2023.
Cable and online financial news (for the average investor) can also be overwhelming and cause investors to make mistakes. The term I use for this news is “Financial Pornography”. I can think of many bad decisions made by viewers of financial porn but narrowed it down to four mistakes the average investor is likely to...