Wealth Management, Finance & Investing Blog

In the past, marriage was often considered the traditional next step as relationships progress and couples start planning for their future. Today, roughly half of the U.S. population is unmarried[i] - and more couples are opting instead for a domestic partnership, which is a legal relationship for people who live together and share a common domestic life. Domestic partnerships are common for later-in-life couples, couples who have previously been divorced, and non-traditional and/or same sex re

As Black Friday and Cyber Monday fast approach, it’s a good time to think about how much you really have available to spend this year on gift giving. Although delighting your loved ones with gifts can be exciting, no one likes a credit card hangover in January or the feeling of having overextended yourself at the expense of your own long-term planning goals. But you need not sink into debt in pursuit of the holiday spirit. Here are some ways to set cash aside for gifts. Create (or Automate) a S

2022 has been a challenging year for investors. Although this type of drawdown in equity markets is not uncommon, what happened in bonds has been unusual. In times like these, or any time we experience market volatility, the natural reaction is feeling the need to “do something.” What we have seen time and time again though, is that doing something when markets are causing the greatest pain is rarely productive when it comes to meeting long-term planning needs. Below are four reasons why stayin

Many of us are raised to believe that money is not an acceptable topic of polite conversation. We often learn from our parents that it is a taboo subject.

Over the past three and a half decades as a financial advisor, I have experienced my fair share of difficult markets, along with my clients. While these periods are painful, they are a natural component of market cycles. Since the Great Recession in 2008-2009, we have experienced the longest and one of the most historically robust bull market cycles in over almost 100 years. Investors have understandably forgotten what an ugly stock market is (on top of simultaneously experiencing the worst bon

As summer ends and we look toward the Fall, you should aim to maximize your opportunities to transfer wealth to your children or grandchildren, accomplish your charitable goals, and engage in smart income tax planning. With that in mind, here is a checklist of five action items to consider before year-end. See an update on year end planning tips here. 1. Make Annual Exclusion gifts: The IRS gives you a gift tax annual exclusion each year, and in 2022, the annual exclusion is $16,000 per donee.

Like millions of folks around the world, my life took a complete turn in April of 2020. Within seven days, I went from living and working in a bustling city to working from a dining room table at my family home in rural western Washington. My days once filled with meetings, lunchtime walks with my colleagues, and busy evenings pivoted to what felt like a never-ending cycle of waking up, caffeinating myself, sitting stationary at my computer for hours, and late nights. Without consistent days in

Residential real estate markets in desirable cities across the country have long been appreciating in value faster than real estate in the rest of the country. During the COVID-19 pandemic, that growth accelerated even more due to low supply and increased demand from the millennial generation. Even as interest rates rise today and the growth cools down, prices for housing remain high. As a result, buying a first home has become significantly more challenging for younger generations to achieve.

I am writing this from my laptop, while attending a conference on “Artificial Intelligence in Financial Technology” at Stanford University on Friday, June 17, 2022. I must admit there is a feeling that I am, along with professors, grad students, and former colleagues, fiddling with far-out finance topics whilst very immediate and practical issues face our investors. Why go, then? One reason is that this conference had been paused for three years due to COVID shutdowns. Further, now more than ev

Your 20s are often a great transitionary phase. For many, this is a time dedicated to self-discovery, learning about life at a lightning speed, and entering what may start to feel like your first stage of “real life.” As you enter this era, you are experiencing quite a few “firsts” – likely your first “real” job, with your first “real” salary that includes benefits and at least a few days of paid vacation every year. Your 20s may also include a few moves across a city, a state, or the country.

Spending over 20 years in the wealth management business, one would think we’ve seen it all – market ups and downs, turbulent economic and socioeconomic conditions, and the once-in-a-lifetime events. New challenges, new disruptions, and unforeseen circumstances, both positive and negative, do however present themselves regularly. At Wealthspire Advisors, we believe in remaining vigilant. We strive to put our clients in positions of financial strength and flexibility, prepare them for necessary

Recently, Tom Kavanagh, a financial advisor at Wealthspire Advisors, sat down with Christina Kjaeroe and Heather Vinson, Personal Insurance Advisors at NFP, to discuss the recent rise in P&C premiums for homeowners and auto users. Tom asked Christina and Heather to address some of the most common questions he’s received lately from clients on how to address these increases. Q1. Why are premiums so high these days? There are a few factors that go into this, but generally it is the frequency