Every month we share our personal commentary on economic forces challenging your money.  It's not "gospel" but it's what we think.  Have thoughts?  Please share in the comments below. 

Tax Returns, Tax Reform and How it Affects You

Whenever we talk taxes, the focus is on one specific date: April 15. The prolonged government shutdown at the start of the year and potential impending government shutdown are shifting the focus for tax preparers and filers who can expect some delays.

The results of research which studies investor behavior and analyzes investor market returns, consistently shows that the average investor earns below-average returns.

For the twenty years ending 12/31/2015, the S&P 500 Index averaged 9.85% a year. A pretty attractive historical return. The average equity fund investor earned a market return of only 5.19%.

Ah yes, the Holiday Hangover. Not your typical hangover. It doesn’t come from too much eggnog on Christmas, or that one too many glasses of champagne at the New Year’s Eve party. This one isn’t felt in your head, and definitely can’t be cured with an ibuprofen. This one hurts your wallet.    

How does life insurance factor into financial and estate planning? Read this Forbes post: https://tinyurl.com/yb2q46oz

By Jeff Bernier

I was at a conference years ago when a speaker walked onto the stage, looked directly at the audience, and asked this question: “At what age are you going to die?”

It may sound morbid, but he was making a great point. Everyone in the audience had a different answer, and every answer was based on ideas they had formed based on how long their parents and grandparents lived, their own health and lifestyle, and much more. If you’re like most people, you have ‘your number’ in your head. But what most people don’t consider is that modern medicine, better living conditions, more healthy work environments, and other factors all add up to create much greater longevity. According to recent research , the life expectancy of a 50-year old has increased by an incredible 33 years over the past century. What the facts tell us is that almost everyone’s number—including yours—is probably flat out wrong.

In the world of integrated payments and SaaS, acquirers abound and high-quality assets are hard to find. And as we head into 2019, all signs point to the continuation of a robust sellers’ market.

Forty years ago, the 401k as we know it was born.

According to the Investment Company Institute, more than $5 trillion (with a "T") sits in these accounts of over 55 million participants.

401k's have become a staple of saving for retirement.Don't get me wrong, they work well for those that do two things:

Strategies to help protect your business against death, disability or departure

As an entrepreneur and business owner, naturally, you want what is best for your company and employees alike.  Although we don’t like to think about things like death, disability, or an unexpected departure of a key person involved in the business, these things happen.  As a business owne

It’s benefits season. The time of year when employees have to decide which health plan to select, which investments to select for your 401(k), and how much to put into your flexible spending plan. The number of options and complexity of all the different benefit options can be dizzying to many employees.