Golf is a stupid game. Yet I love it. The late Robin Williams sums it up here in this expletive ridden comedy sketch. My scorecard typically consists of the occasional birdie, a handful of pars, mostly bogeys and a hole or two that never make the scorecard. Needless to say, I'm pretty average. Never one to lose sight of my day... Read More
“Change is the only constant in life.” There can be many different applications of the Greek philosopher Heraclitus’ words of wisdom, but one that is especially relevant to this blog post is planning for retirement. For soon-to-be retirees, understanding how to adjust to life after work can be stressful and overwhelming. And as the Baby Boomer generation continues their mass... Read More
Though I’m not qualified to give life advice, one thing I’ve learned through the years is that life is all about tradeoffs. For many decisions, the tradeoffs are obvious. Do I join friends for a beer or go for a run along the river? Admittedly, I don’t always make the most prudent decision on this one, but I do understand... Read More
by Scott Gerlach, CFP I’m clueless when it comes to cars. I take the bus to work, MAX to the airport and pretty much avoid driving at all costs (thanks Uber!). And despite my best efforts, my life is still dependent on them. You can imagine my anxiety when it comes to dealing with mechanics. They might as well be... Read More
As we enter December, the last month on the calendar marks the final chance to cross your financial T’s and dot your I’s. For many, this means making last-minute charitable contributions, maxing out your 401k or ensuring your health care is solidified for next year. And for those individuals in their 70’s, this means satisfying their Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs).... Read More
With #OscarGate squarely in our rear-view mirror, Hollywood can now resume their "normal" lives, and the rest of us can only speculate how the singular moment in the world's most popular award show was botched by someone in the financial services industry. Talk about bizarre. While I'd like to use this space to poke fun at the rich and famous in... Read More
How much can I spend in retirement? For many, that’s the million-dollar question – literally. The first step taken of any retirement planning should be developing a baseline financial plan, and understanding the appropriate withdrawal rate is paramount to this process. During the early stages of plan development for our clients, we often get questions about the 4% withdrawal rule... Read More
Whether you’re approaching retirement or already in it, you probably have questions about Social Security and how it impacts your retirement plan. Social Security is as complex as it is important. The income stream can be an integral part of a well-thought out financial plan and the myriad of options often lead to sub-optimal elections by otherwise well-informed folks. Social... Read More
