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Women & Finance Blog: Planning for Aging Parents

  The Conversation… No, not that one. But for many it may rank up there with the dreaded birds and bees talk. Whereas one might make you squeamish, the other forces us to confront some realities we’d rather ignore: aging and its implications. Just like the birds and the bees, parents and...

529 Plans: Give the Gift of Education (and Compounding)

As the cost of college tuition skyrockets, parents and grandparents can take advantage of tax-efficient 529 plans and higher limits on gift and estate taxes.   As the rush of the holiday season slows down, many minds turn to the subject of giving in the new year. Grandparents in particular...

Passing the Torch

  As we turn the page on a new calendar year, we look ahead to the 2024 Paris Olympics and exciting events like the relay races in track and field. A similar passing of torches (and batons) may be happening for markets this year as all eyes begin to focus on jobs as an indicator of the Fed’s...

Women & Finance: The Fear of Running Out of Money

The Fear of Running Out of Money Financial planning is focused on setting goals and making decisions that put you on the path to achieving those goals. Enjoying a secure and rewarding retirement is a common goal for many, and we are often asked by our clients whether they have saved enough money...

Recession or Resiliency?

As leaves in the Washington area fade from green to darker colors of fall, investors are also watching a gradual turn in the economy and wondering what’s next for markets. The S&P 500 declined 3% in the third quarter, and signs of a looming recession are growing. Meanwhile, a fully employed...

Benefits of Doing Roth Conversions Early in Retirement

Retirees could cut their lifetime tax burden as well as minimize taxes’ impact on the long-term wealth of their heirs.   So, you’ve worked hard throughout your career, saved for retirement and now the light at the end of the tunnel is becoming larger and brighter. It’s pretty simple — freedom...

Women & Finance: The Account Not Converted

When Not to Convert a Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA   You hear the talk at cocktails parties about your friends converting their Traditional IRA accounts to Roth IRAs and now it is nagging you…are you missing out? Should you convert your Traditional IRA assets to a Roth IRA? Converting a...

Is 2023 the Year of “AI” (or Accelerated Investing)?

  Many travelers will hit the beaches this summer, while market watchers keep an eye on the horizon for the next big wave that may impact investment returns. This year, Artificial Intelligence (sometimes referred to as “AI”) technology has become a significant driver of total market returns...

2023 Could Be the Year to Welcome Back the 60/40 Portfolio

  Bond yields are the highest they’ve been in 15 years, and stocks appear less expensive than before. The odds are now in favor of the balanced portfolio.   Last year was bruising for investors across the board. With the S&P 500 down 19%, the Nasdaq lower by 33% and the Bloomberg...

Women & Finance: Planning for Longevity and Vitality

Planning for Longevity and Vitality   If you’re an avid reader of health and science journalism, you have likely noticed the recent emergence of longevity as a buzzword. This shouldn’t come as a surprise, for most people it’s relatively easy to make a case for a lifestyle that maximizes one’s...

New Challenges and a New Direction

Markets delivered relatively good results in the first quarter. With stocks up approximately 7.5%, investors are perhaps looking ahead to a recovery in the economy and earnings, while shrugging off new challenges in the banking sector. These challenges may prompt a new direction for the Federal...

What’s Next for Banks and Markets?

What’s Next for Banks and Markets? You have likely seen headlines over the past few days regarding regional bank failures and Federal Reserve actions to support depositors. FBB’s team of analysts and advisors has been evaluating the situation and working to analyze the implications for broader...

The Misery Index: What Is It and How Does It Impact You?

The misery index is getting better, but Americans may feel a lot more miserable in 2023. How should investors respond? Many Americans are hoping for a happy new year after the economic and financial challenges of 2022, which included eye-watering inflation and a bear market. Careful what you wish...

Turning Points

Turning Points Dear Clients and Friends, Investors are eager to welcome a new year and forget a dismal 2022, which saw one of the worst performances for balanced stock and bond portfolios since the Great Depression. Savers, investors, and advisors are licking...

Women & Finance: 20 Tasks to Cross Off Your Year-end Financial Checklist

20 Tasks to Cross Off Your Year-end Financial Checklist “Recorder ground control.”“On.” Those are the first spoken words between a Captain and First Officer prior to a detailed and precise takeoff procedure onboard an Airbus A320. First, the crew confirms that the recorder is on, ensuring that the...

Investors Prepare for a Deep Freeze this Winter

Investors Prepare for a Deep Freeze this Winter Dear Clients and Friends, Investors have suffered a string of challenges this year including rising concern for European security, energy prices, and the possibility of a recession this winter. While the U.S. economy and job market remain intact for...

Testing Our Resolve

Testing Our Resolve Dear Clients and Friends, The first half of 2022 has tested the resolve of many long-term investors as economic surprises, stock performance, and even bond market returns all went in the wrong direction. While it may be tempting to sell risk assets during challenging periods...

Women & Finance: The Importance of a Rainy Day Fund

Women & Finance: The Importance of a Rainy Day Fund Your insurance agent, banker, and financial planner are likely to deliver some version of “rainy day” advice to clients. Bankers may advise small business owners to maintain an open line of credit; insurance agents may recommend insuring...

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