Financial Lifestyle Archives - Page 3 of 4 - Rightpath Investments & Financial Planning, Inc.

The IRA Charitable Rollover – Laserlike Tool for the Seasoned Philanthropist

Peak Thoughts, Philanthropy, Tax Planning, Uncategorized / Steven Smith / November 16, 2018

‘Tis the season…for charitable giving. In our last post, we discussed the basics of the new tax law, its possible effects on charitable donations and the concept of “bunching” and a Donor Advised Fund as a workaround. Today we address the IRA charitable rollover – or, more technically, the qualified charitable distribution (QCD). IRA Goes […]

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Regaling the Donor Advised Fund – The Swiss Army Knife of Charitable Giving

Peak Thoughts, Philanthropy, Uncategorized / Steven Smith / November 6, 2018

Nothing sharpens the mind like a deadline. Sometime around Halloween, when we have a couple of months left in the year, we begin to think in earnest about our charitable giving. On account of the charitable contribution deduction on Schedule A of the 1040 individual income tax return, many taxpayers scramble to complete their charitable

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Where are you on the Spectrum of Financial Dependence and Independence?

Financial Lifestyle, Meanderings, Uncategorized / Steven Smith / October 29, 2018

Where are you on the Spectrum of Financial Dependence and Independence? (H/T to financial planning guru Michael Kitces for including this article by Morgan Housel in his October 19, Weekly Reading for Financial Planners.) Continuums I love continuums. Or is it contiua? You’ve seen a million of them. They are generally represented graphically, in an

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Fidelity’s Zero Cost Index Funds – Much Ado About Nothing?

Investment Management, Meanderings, Wealth Management / Steven Smith / September 7, 2018

On August 1, 2018, Fidelity Investments, by introducing two zero-management fee index funds, seemingly fired a shot across the bow of the 18th century vessel that is Vanguard’s vaunted logo. For over forty years, Vanguard, the shareholder-owned behemoth has led the way in reducing the cost of investing to a level approaching zero. The Admiral

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Do We Face a Retirement Crisis?

Financial Lifestyle, Meanderings, Retirement / Steven Smith / August 10, 2018

In an article in Advisor Perspectives, actuary, financial planner and retirement researcher Joe Tomlinson delves into the question: Do We Face a Retirement Crisis? The “we” Tomlinson refers to is American society as a whole. His conclusion is that the “crisis” for the current generation of retirees is a bit overblown, but the future looks

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The Incomparable Virtues of Goals Based Planning

Financial Lifestyle, Meanderings, Wealth Management / Steven Smith / December 21, 2017

One of my standard cocktail party questions when conversing with investors is: How much are you trying to earn with your investments? A typical response is: As much as I can. Then I follow up with: Well, how will you know when you’ve done that? – I often get a blank stare. These are of

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1st Quarter Client Note

Financial News, Investment Management, Newsletters, Wealth Management / Steven Smith / April 10, 2017

The “Trump Bump” continued unabated in the first quarter. The S & P 500 (total return) Index gained 6.07%; tacking on to the 3.82% increase in the fourth quarter of 2016. In a reversal from last year, the gain was led by growth stocks, which were up 8.91%, while value stocks gained 3.27%. The S

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Recognizing and Preventing the Growing Epidemic of Senior Financial Abuse

Current Newsletter, Financial Lifestyle, Financial News, Life Transitions, Peak Thoughts, Risk Management, Wealth Management / Steven Smith / November 24, 2013

Senior financial abuse has become an epidemic in this country. But there are ways to recognize it and try to prevent yourself or a loved one from becoming a victim.

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A Commentary on the PBS Show The Retirement Gamble

Financial News, Investment Management, Meanderings, Retirement, Risk Management, Small Business / Steven Smith / May 8, 2013

PBS recently aired a Frontline show entitled The Retirement Gamble, profiling the 401(k) industry. If you missed it, it can be viewed here. Polemic in tone, the show is highly critical of the country’s evolution from defined benefit pension plans toward defined contribution 401(k) type plans, and in particular the culture of the industry that

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Summit Foundation Educational Workshop: “Saving the Family Cottage”

Financial Lifestyle, Life Transitions, Mountain Lifestyle, Non Profits/Foundations, Wealth Management / Steven Smith / July 6, 2012

The Summit Foundation’s fourth annual educational workshop will be held Friday, July 13th at Beaver Run Resort & Conference Center, 9:00–11:00 am. This year, we have the honor of hosting Cottage Law attorney and author David Fry, Esq., who will present “Saving the Family Cottage.” Join us for an information-packed session where you will learn ways to preserve the family vacation home for future generations and minimize the expense and agony along the way.

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