Insights for Your Journey
Latest News & Articles
Tips to Stay Informed, Healthy and Balanced During the COVID-19 Quarantine
Hello from the entire Alterra team! We’ll use this page to provide a few updates from us and resources we hope help you holistically while staying home!
Backdoor Roth IRAs – What Are They and Are They Worth It?
Roth IRAs are one of the few ways to build tax-free retirement income. And with a long retirement time frame, they can build quite the snowball. But, if you make too much income, the IRS won’t let you contribute. Fortunately, for many, the Backdoor Roth IRA can help…so is it worth the extra effort?
Person to Person Charity – What Is It and Why Should You Consider It?
When you think of charity, what comes to mind? Do you think of non-profits – organizations taking on major challenges and trying to make a difference? True! Many charitable contributions aim to give from your resources to fund groups who seek to meet the needs of others – and, as an incentive, you usually get a tax deduction for your contribution! But what if we simply define charity as giving to those in need? This opens a new world of philanthropy many find brings deep fulfillment and makes a difference. We call it Person-to-Person Charity.
Time in the Market Is Better Than Timing the Market
In days, weeks and months of sharp declines, the first thought is often to sell stocks and “wait for things to stabilize”. Unfortunately, this usually means watching the market rebound and missing the upswing. Why do many advisors say you should ride it out? Because sharp market declines are usually followed by equally sharp recoveries.
Coronavirus and the Market
News of the coronavirus is front and center in the headlines. Health organizations around the world are actively assessing the situation, learning about this new virus and attempting to build containment and treatment plans as they observe and respond to the spread and impact on those affected. Uncertainty about how the virus will impact business both in the US and around the world has also catalyzed a decline in financial markets since hitting all time highs in mid-February. We wanted to provide our perspective on a few questions you might be asking yourselves and what history has to say about these kinds of events.
Turning Taxes Into Opportunities
Can taxes really be turned into opportunities? We discuss a few strategies!
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...
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...
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....
6 Questions to Ask 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...
Worried about estate taxes in Washington?
Download our free guide with 5 Strategies to Reduce Your Estate Taxes in Washington State.