How Should You Get Back In?
Are you one of the many people who sold at the end of March when the market dipped — and are now wondering what to do next? In a new video, WorthPointe founder Christopher Van Slyke and advisor John Chapman discuss the value of putting the past behind you and moving forward with a focus […]
Read ArticleThe Running of the Bulls
The month of August marked an important milestone for the long-running bull market. On August 22, the bull market, as measured by the S&P 500 Index, extended its run to 3,453 calendar days, becoming the lengthiest bull market in history, or at least since WWII. While we may celebrate the milestone, let’s take a moment […]
Read ArticleIs Now the Time to Convert your IRA into a Roth?
There are many different ways you can shelter your savings from taxes. It is a powerful incentive for us to save for retirement. Options give us choices, but choices can confuse as options proliferate. In the name of simplicity, we’ll avoid what is sometimes called the “alphabet soup” of retirement accounts. Instead, let’s spend a […]
Read ArticleA Sea of Tranquility — Not!
Last year, stocks marched higher with only minor pullbacks. When the year ended, the largest peak-to-trough decline for the S&P 500 Index was just under 3%. It was a year that lacked turbulence and rewarded diversified investors. Since the beginning of February, volatility has returned. It’s a reminder that periods of relative tranquility don’t last […]
Read ArticlePart 2: Volatile Markets – How the Financial Media Helped Build Demand for Dangerous Products Based on the VIX
To understand what happened in the markets the week of February 5, you need an understanding of the psychological forces behind what happened. The VIX isn’t just an index that reflects what’s going on with options. It’s a psychological measure, and that’s where the media comes in. You cannot directly trade the VIX. Yet, the […]
Read ArticlePart 1: Volatile Markets – What is “the VIX”?
I’ve gotten a lot of questions about what happened with the markets the week of February 5. Many of the questions are on volatility and “the VIX.” Explaining an event caused by many complicated tools can prove very difficult, especially when most investors have no background. In this series, I’m going to escort you step […]
Read ArticleShould You Consider Investing Your Home Equity?
In our decades of experience, we’ve found that this strategy may not be appropriate for everyone. For some, it has caused more harm than good. For others, it has been beneficial. We, however, wanted write on the topic, because it is a topic that we are often asked about. To properly consider your options, you really […]
Read ArticleStock Market Plunge: What’s Going On?
By now, you have probably seen the news that the stock market is taking a dip. There is a lot of information coming at us fast as we watch to see what happens next. We are here to answer a few of your questions. Why is this happening? As she finished her term as the […]
Read ArticleThe 3 Biggest Misunderstandings About Options
In part 1 of this series, I described the main ways options are used (income, protection, favorable stock entries and diversification) as well as how they compare to stocks, risk-wise. Now, let’s talk about the biggest misunderstandings people have about options. First, people tend to learn just one strategy and then incorrectly assume the characteristics […]
Read Article9 Tips on Purchasing and Financing Your New Home
Since the beginning of the year, we’ve covered several topics that span the financial planning spectrum. This month, we’d like to take a slightly different tack and discuss the ins and outs of buying a home. For many, it will be the biggest purchase ever made, one that is an enormous investment with plenty of […]
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