Knowledge for the Journey
Latest News & Articles

Should you really stay the course?
Whether you're retired and living on portfolio income or just starting your investment journey, big market swings are always unsettling. So why do you always hear that you should “stay the course” or “ride it out” when it comes to the stock market, volatility and...

6 Money Habits to Teach Your Kids
Parents have a lot to deal with. You’re feeding, clothing, cleaning, running back and forth to practices…all the while trying to find teachable moments – windows of opportunity to train the adults they will become. No easy task, especially with a topic like money. So,...

How Much Should You Keep In Emergency Reserve?
Job loss, unexpected trip to the hospital, a tree falls on the house – events like these can send the unprepared into a financial tailspin. An emergency reserve is your mini financial self-insurance policy, so we all know we should have one. But, getting around to...

Leaving a Legacy – Plan by Default or Plan by Design?
Everyone has a plan. Whether you know it or not, everyone has a plan when it comes to leaving your hard earned wealth to the next generation – the government’s plan. They’ve made a host of default decisions for you. What taxes you’ll pay, how your assets will be...

The ABCs of RSUs, ESPPs, ISOs – Get to Know Your Stock Incentive Programs
In our tech-heavy Pacific Northwest, many companies grant stock or stock options as part of an overall compensation package. These equity incentive programs can seem like a windfall but, as with any source of income, they must be carefully managed so they don’t...

Mechanics of Retirement – Where Does My Paycheck Come From?
For most of your working life, you’ve had paychecks deposited into your bank account on a regular basis to cover your living expenses, creating a 40+ year history of handling your finances in this manner. However, those regular paychecks from your employer suddenly...

Estate Plan or Legacy Plan – Which Do You Have?
Every family wants to create a sound legacy for their children for the future, but too many skip the critical steps in the present to achieve those goals. And, it’s no simple matter. Business owners have a lot to think about when deciding when and how to transfer...

The SECURE Act – 6 Changes You Should Know About
A summary of changes to long-standing retirement account rules.

Quarterly Economic Update
In this Q4 recap: Equities maintain their momentum to close out a strong year on Wall Street, helped by a slight thaw in the U.S.-China trade dispute and some better-than-expected domestic economic data.

What Is a CFP® and Why Should You Care?
With titles like financial advisor, financial planner, wealth advisor, strategic wealth partner, just to name a few, the financial planning industry can be confusing for clients. And, on top of these, there’s an entire alphabet soup of designations advisors can earn....

How to Interview a Financial Advisor
Retirement planning, saving for your child’s education, finding the best way to own your dream home, leaving a legacy...these things all require planning. But knowing that you need plan for these things and finding someone you can trust to guide you down this path are...

2020 IRS Contribution Limits
Changes for 2020.

Presidential Elections and the Stock Market…How They Really Interact.
Headlines, social media, internet ads, 24 hour news - everything seems determined to remind us that there's a presidential election coming. And most aren’t content to state facts and call it a day (this won’t earn them enough ad dollars). Instead, they’ll spin the...

Quarterly Economic Update
In this Q3 recap: the U.S. and China intensify their trade dispute, but agree to negotiate again, the Federal Reserve cuts short-term interest rates once more, and stocks ride through some volatility to end the summer higher.

The Problem of Money Paralysis
Not making a move may not always be the best move to make.