Recently, a client asked if they should be taking their RMDs at the beginning of the year. Given the market’s recent upward performance, a market correction is due, thought the client. By that logic, it should make sense to take the RMD sooner rather than later, right? Perhaps, let’s see what the numbers say. I […]
Financial Planning in Divorce
Financial planning in divorce is something most financial planners will eventually have to deal with. Fortunately, one CFP® professional gave a presentation some divorce financial planning best practices at the FPA of Minneapolis symposium. (As a side note, know that laws do vary by state.) Here are some takeaways from her talk. Use a Balance Sheet for […]
Corporate Bonds vs. U.S. Government Bonds
If you haven’t already, please go ahead and put yourself to sleep by reviewing my latest paper in the Journal of Financial Planning. In it, I discuss bond investing – specifically what happens when you pit United States government bonds against corporate bonds. Don’t want to read the paper? I don’t blame you. Here are […]
Should You Seek Out the Small Value Premium if You Hold Bonds?
Dimensional Fund Advisors was one of the first vehicles that gave investors access to the small and value premiums. These premiums enabled investors to earn a higher investment return. But, in investing there is rarely a free lunch – with Modern Portfolio Theory being the rare exception. It was only by bearing the greater risk of […]
Onboarding New Clients from an Exit Plan
If buying a book of business from retiring advisor interests you, know that there are many stages in the Exit planning process: Prospecting for your target acquisition (i.e. go find an advisor looking to retire!) Agreeing to the terms of the sale structure Executing the terms of the deal (i.e. bringing the new clients into […]
Advice for New Financial Planners
I could never do as good a job as Michael Kitces, so I’ll just link his article on this very same subject here. I won’t bother to repeat the points he already made. I’ll just share something I wish someone had told me when I got into the field of financial planning. The Job Description […]