With interest rates so low for so long, I’ve fielded a number of calls from clients looking for ideas for additional income/dividends. The question is always the same: where to find it? Depending on the client, preferred stock can be a great asset class to complement the right portfolio, but it can also be confusing […]
You’ve probably heard of margin loans, but do you know about investment lines of credit (ICLs)? Like margin loans, ICLs are backed by the assets in your portfolio but are used for non-securities investments — meaning you can’t use them to buy stocks and bonds. In my experience, ICLs also tend to be cheaper and […]
Like anyone in business, I’d like to think that I’m at the top of everyone’s list of potential wealth advisor. But the reality isn’t that simple: working with an advisor is a two-way street, and the most successful relationship is one in which your needs and preferences are compatible with the business of the person […]
What a difference a few weeks makes: the DOW Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 both fell about 10% from the beginning of the year to mid-February. Then, the DOW rallied 1,013 points or 6.53% from the low on February 11. This all happened in the space of 11 days. As of the close […]
The markets got off to a negative start this year. For the month of January, the S&P 500 was down 5 percent and the DOW Jones Industrial Average was down 5.5 percent. At their lowest points, the indexes were down 9.5 and 9 percent, respectively. (1) Between the volatility and the overly-emotional coverage in the […]
Will you have to support your kids when they graduate from college? As anyone who has a child in college right now knows, this is a scary time to be a twenty-something. While the statistics have improved since their lows, a recent study by the Economic Policy Institute found that the unemployment rate for young […]
School has started again, which for my family means a fresh start on the college planning roller-coaster. My son, Clay, is now a high school junior, and we are trying to help him stay focused on the big high school end-game — college — while juggling his many activities. I’m sure for some readers I’m […]
If you’re reading this, you probably know that the market has been volatile lately, to say the least. Recently the DOW was down about 14 percent off the high and the index had its worst month in over five years. ~ Do you know where your financial advisor is? When the going gets tough, a […]
I’ve written a free eBook called “10 Tips You Need to know about your IRA Rollover,” and if you’ve ever wondered what to do with your retirement savings you might want to take a look! It’s a comprehensive, plain-English guide that can help you to understand the options and take control of your retirement. For […]
It’s no surprise that I’m a big proponent of diversification and having many different asset classes in my clients’ portfolios. Diversification is useful for a reason: it gives you the chance to participate in the growth of different asset classes while hopefully minimizing the risk that a downturn in one sector will wreak havoc on […]
Brad holds the following registrations:
4, 7, 24, 63, 65, Life & Health (LA-513612 NY)