Diversification still matters!
Over the coming weeks there will continue to be a stream of information coming out regarding the collapse of several banks in the US and in Europe. We will undoubtedly learn more about the failures that led to the banks collapsing, the cost of the collapse, and what changes need to be implemented to attempt to stop these sorts of things from occurring in the future. One thing we already know that this situation reminded us of is that diversification still matters in your financial life.
Banking Crisis Averted
In light of recent news events, we wanted to spend some time sharing information and perspective around the current banking situation. However, before we can begin to understand the current headlines, let’s first understand what a bank actually is…
Do You Have An Estate Plan?
One of the most crucial pieces of a sound financial plan, and often the most overlooked piece, is the estate plan. Even though you may not realize, everyone has an estate plan, however some are more organized than others.
SECURE 2.0 Act
When Congress approved the $1.7trillion omnibus spending bill in December of 2022, much of the focus was on the size of the spending that would occur funding the government through September 30, 2023. While that is surely important, buried inside the bill was also legislation that would affect Americans everywhere. The SECURE 2.0 Act is now law and touches Americans at all stages of life.
Year End Review & 2023 Outlook
In the beginning of December, I was able to visit Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure in Orlando, FL with a few friends for a VIP Experience tour. The tour includes breakfast, lunch, and a guided walk throughout the parks guaranteeing you to ride at least ten rides, skipping the lines and going straight to the front. As an annual passholder, it was not my first time at these parks and I eagerly put together a list of rides that were essential for us to ride. The list included multiple rollercoasters, several simulators that were in 3D, and other rides that spin you and move you around in a quick fashion. As the day ended, I realized what started with excitement ended with a sore neck, nausea, and a group discussion on if thirteen rides were really a good idea after all. While that day is one of my favorite memories of 2022, the feeling getting off the last rollercoaster resonated with me as to what many investors probably felt in 2022: a period of excitement to begin the year, followed by the discomfort of what turned out to be a year full of ups and downs and unexpected nausea and fatigue…
Year End Review and 2023 Outlook
In the beginning of December I was able to visit Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure in Orlando, FL with a few friends for a VIP Experience tour. The tour includes breakfast, lunch, and a guided walk throughout the parks guaranteeing you to ride at least ten rides, skipping the lines and going straight to the front. As an annual passholder, it was not my first time at these parks and I eagerly put together a list of rides that were essential for us to ride. The list included multiple rollercoasters, several simulators that were in 3D, and other rides that spin you and move you around in a quick fashion. As the day ended, I realized what started with excitement ended with a sore neck, nausea, and a group discussion on if thirteen rides was really a good idea after all. While that day is one of my favorite memories of 2022, the feeling getting off the last rollercoaster resonated with me as to what many investors probably felt in 2022: a period of excitement to begin the year, followed by the discomfort of what turned out to be a year full of ups and downs and unexpected nausea and fatigue.
Gifting Ideas for Publix Stock
One of the main benefits of working for Publix for both part-time and full-time employees is the ability to participate in the ESPP, or the Employee Share Purchase Program. This program highlighted in our first blog post allows employees of Publix to purchase non-qualified shares of Publix Stock. The plan document for the ESPP highlights the mission of this plan is to allow long-term investing by employees into the company so that they too will be owners of the company. Many employees do take advantage of this and accumulate sizable amounts of stock over their careers at Publix, which does allow for some special financial planning.
What is Loss Fatigue?
This year for investors has been unusually difficult and painful. After many years of positive market returns even in the face of things like Covid-19, threats of trade wars, and geopolitical events like Brexit and the Greek Debt Crisis, 2022 is producing our first truly substantial downturn since the Great Financial Crisis in 2008. While market volatility isn’t new for investors, the length and duration of the drawdowns in the markets feels new and different for many investors, because it is. For the first time in almost twenty years, many investors are having to grapple with Loss Fatigue.
NUA “Exit” Strategy for Publix Stock
One of the main benefits at Publix is access to Publix stock and many employees or associates amass large amounts of stock through long careers at Publix. While this has literally and figuratively “paid dividends” over the years, it’s often important to diversify assets in retirement. When working you may be able to take on the risk of a concentrated position of stock, but often in retirement, it is better to diversify your assets away from such high levels of concentration. One such way of doing so through a tax-advantaged way is a “Net Unrealized Appreciation ” Transaction.
2022 Third Quarter Update
If you’ve ever spoken to anyone who has run a long-distance race, swam an endurance swim, or competed in an endurance event of any kind, they will tell you about the euphoric moment of finishing or even winning the event, but often the pain of training and enduring is left out. Similarly, when investing we talk about our wins or how we completed our financial goals, but we fail to share the pain or anxiety that comes with that at times. Unfortunately for many of us in our marathon of investing, we are in the midst of training season and now is a difficult time.