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Turbulent Times: Bear Markets Come and Go

Katherine Plotnik

The longest bull market in history lasted almost 11 years before coronavirus fears and the realities of a seriously disrupted U.S. economy brought it to an end.1 Bear markets are typically defined as declines of 20% or more from the most recent high, and bull markets are sustained increases of 20% or more from the bear market low. But there is no official declaration, so often there are different interpretations and a fair amount of debate regarding when these cycles…
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It Is Not How Much You Make, It Is How Much You Keep

Katherine Plotnik

You probably have heard this phrase before and it is true. “It is not how much you make, it is how much you keep.” That is the truth. If you make $100,000 a year and you spend $100,000 a year you will not get ahead. If you spend more than you make, or spend everything you make, you cannot get ahead. Life is about being happy. Spending money and having stuff does not bring happiness. Research from the San Francisco…
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Six Keys to More Successful Investing

Katherine Plotnik

A successful investor maximizes gain and minimizes loss. Though there can be no guarantee that any investment strategy will be successful and all investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal, here are six basic principles that may help you invest more successfully. Long-term compounding can help your nest egg grow It’s the “rolling snowball” effect. Put simply, compounding pays you earnings on your reinvested earnings. The longer you leave your money at work for you, the more exciting…
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Changing Jobs? Know Your 401(k) Options

Katherine Plotnik

If you’ve lost your job, or are changing jobs, you may be wondering what to do with your 401(k) plan account. It’s important to understand your options. What will I be entitled to? If you leave your job (voluntarily or involuntarily), you’ll be entitled to a distribution of your vested balance. Your vested balance always includes your own contributions(pre-tax, after-tax, and Roth) and typically any investment earnings on those amounts.It also includes employer contributions (and earnings) that have satisfied your…
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Can You Avoid a Layoff?

Katherine Plotnik

You may be a dedicated employee who has worked for the same employer for many years, yet you still may be susceptible to getting laid off. Sometimes getting laid off is inevitable, but rarely does a company lay off all of its workers. Usually, it retains those who are most valuable and offer the greatest benefit, sometimes at the least cost. Fortunately, there may be some things you can do to make the decision to lay you off a little…
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Eleven Ways to Help Yourself Stay Sane in a Crazy Market

Katherine Plotnik

Keeping your cool can be hard to do when the market goes on one of its periodic roller-coaster rides. It’s useful to have strategies in place that prepare you both financially and psychologically to handle market volatility. Here are 11 ways to help keep yourself from making hasty decisions that could have a long-term impact on your ability to achieve your financial goals. 1. Have a game plan Having predetermined guidelines that recognize the potential for turbulent times can help…
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Five Key Benefits of the CARES Act for Individuals and Businesses

Katherine Plotnik

By now you know that Congress has passed a $2 trillion relief bill to help keep individuals and businesses afloat during these difficult times. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act contains many provisions. Here are five that may benefit you or your business. 1. Recovery Rebates Many Americans will receive a one-time cash payment of $1,200. Each U.S. resident or citizen with an adjusted gross income (AGI) under $75,000 ($112,500 for heads of household and $150,000 for…
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How to Manage Your Money While Job Searching

Katherine Plotnik

Losing your job can be stressful. In general, most Americans do not have enough liquid money set aside for emergencies. At any point, we as Wealth Advisors recommend having 6-12 months of expenses set aside as liquid money so that you have money to pay all your bills for six months if you have no income coming in. Ideally, this is in an insured money market account. Liquid money is not underneath your mattress, buried in your backyard or in…
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The Stimulus Package – What You Need to Know

Katherine Plotnik

On Friday March 27, 2020 Congress approved the $2 Trillion Stimulus Bill in response to COVID-19 to assist tens of millions of American households that are being affected by the virus. Below is a list of frequently asked questions regarding this Stimulus Bill that we have compiled: Stimulus Payments Q: How large would the payments be? A: Most adults would get $1,200, although some would get less. For every qualifying child age 16 or under, the payment would be an…
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Spring Cleaning Your Way to Better Finances

Katherine Plotnik

Spring is a good time to clean out the cobwebs, and not just in your home or apartment. Your personal finances can benefit from a good spring cleaning, too. Here are some questions to ask yourself regarding your budget, debt, and taxes. Is there room in my budget to save more? A budget is the centerpiece of any good personal financialplan. After tallying your monthly income and expenses, you hopefully have money left over to save. But… is there room…
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