LAPD Deferred Retirement Option Plan: What You Need to Know

The Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) for L.A.’s police and fire personnel can help increase retirement savings. Here’s what you should know.

Retirement PlanningTravis McShane, CFP®, CFAJanuary 14, 2020LAPD, LAFD, Los Angeles, DROP, pensions, savings

What the SECURE Act Means for Your Retirement

The SECURE Act will affect how people use their retirement accounts. Here’s a rundown of what the act could mean for your retirement.

Retirement PlanningDavid K. Little, CFP®, CFAJanuary 8, 2020SECURE Act, RMDs, stretch IRAs, charitable giving, financial planning, investing

Hire a Financial Advisor or Do It Yourself: What’s Right?

Here are top considerations to help you decide whether to hire a financial advisor or do it yourself.

Financial PlanningAimee Calderon, CFP®December 18, 2019investment management, tax planning, retirement planning, estate planning, insurance planning, fee-only, commissions

How to Use a Donor-Advised Fund for Your Charitable Giving

A donor-advised fund has features that make it attractive, including the tax deduction. Here are tips to use a DAF in your charitable giving plan.

Financial PlanningRussell W. Hall, CFP®, CPWA®December 5, 2019charitable giving, tax planning, investment management, philanthropy, DAF, donor advised fund

Should You Take a Pension Buyout Offer?

If you are offered a pension buyout offer, here are three factors to consider as you weigh your options.

David K. MacLeod, CFP®, CFANovember 27, 2019

How to Set a Retirement Travel Budget

Setting a travel budget in retirement is not as easy as it is when you are working. Here are some points to help you enjoy traveling without hurting your budget.

Retirement PlanningCarl Lachman, MBA, CFP®November 20, 2019Retirement travel, traveling, budgets, expenses, retirement income, retirement income projections, emergency fund

Year-End Financial Planning You Should Be Doing Now

As the year winds to a close, it is time to see if there’s any year-end financial planning that you can take advantage of.

David K. Little, CFP®, CFANovember 14, 2019

IRA Rollover Rules to Know

There could be a lot of reasons why an IRA rollover makes sense for you, but make sure you know these IRA rollover rules first.

Investment ManagementJames I. Moore, CFP®November 6, 2019ira rollovers, 60-day rule, retirement, 401(k), 403(b), trustee to trustee transfer, direct rollover, indirect rollover

Athletes and Their Money

Some professional athletes get million-dollar contracts and end up bankrupt. What personal finance lessons can we learn from them?

Scott Rojas, CFP®, MBAOctober 31, 2019

Beware of Annuities: 5 Things You Need to Know

Our fiduciary advisory firm recommends that people beware of annuities. Here are five reasons why.

Financial PlanningAimee Calderon, CFP®October 23, 2019annuities, retirement planning, investments, insurance, commissions

Does an Inverted Yield Curve Predict a Recession?

What’s the link between an inverted yield curve and a recession? We look at what happens when the yield curve inverts and what it could mean for you.

Investment ManagementDavid K. MacLeod, CFP®, CFAOctober 16, 2019Federal Reserve, quantitate easing, bonds, bond market, inverted yield curve, bond yield curves, recession

Everything You Need to Know About RMDs

When you turn 70.5, you need to take required minimum distributions. We cover how RMDs work, how they’re taxed, and other key points.

Retirement PlanningRussell W. Hall, CFP®, CPWA®October 9, 2019investments, 401k, 401b, IRA, RMDs, required minimum distributions, charity

Top 12 Major Life Events to Financially Prepare for

Life’s milestones can have a big impact on your finances. Here are 12 major life events to include in your financial planning.

Financial PlanningTravis McShane, CFP®, CFAOctober 3, 2019Children, college planning, debt management, marriage, divorce, workplace benefits, home sales, home purchases, inheritance, retirement, estate planning

Are Annuities Ever a Good Investment?

Salespeople can make annuities sound like the answer to every financial planning issue ever, but the hype and the reality are very different.

Financial PlanningDavid K. MacLeod, CFP®, CFASeptember 18, 2019annuities, retirement income, income planning, personal finance, insurance, investments

Why Hire a Financial Advisor When You Can Invest in Index Funds?

Putting your money into an index fund might sound like a great idea, but financial advisors can add value where funds don’t.

InvestmentsDavid K. Little, CFP®, CFASeptember 11, 2019index funds, financial advisor, retirement planning, asset location, advisor’s alpha, vanguard

How to Turn an IRA into Retirement Income

Turning on income from an IRA once you retire doesn’t have to be difficult, but mistakes can result in higher taxes or even no income. Here’s what you need to know.

Carl Lachman, MBA, CFP®September 4, 2019

5 Mistakes People Make After Inheriting Money

If you’ve received an inheritance, avoiding these five common mistakes can help make your money last.

Aimee Calderon, CFP®August 28, 2019

Careful with That 60-Day IRA Rollover!

If you’re thinking about doing a 60-day IRA rollover, make sure you know the rules, or it could cost you.

Russell W. Hall, CFP®, CPWA®August 21, 2019

What’s Your FICO Score?

Thinking of applying for a mortgage or car loan? It’s a good idea to check your FICO score in advance. Here’s what you need to know about your credit score.

Travis McShane, CFP®, CFAAugust 14, 2019

Tips to Survive the DMV and Real ID

Need a strategy to go to the DMV? Want to get the Real ID? Here are some tips for a smoother experience.

Carl Lachman, MBA, CFP®August 8, 2019