NEWS & INSIGHTS
We use our team’s expertise to create and share valuable resources that help you feel informed and empowered throughout your financial journey.
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TRUE GRIT
Some of you may already be familiar with the work of psychologist and popular TED talker Angela Duckworth on the concept of grit, which she refers to as “passion and perseverance for very long-term goals;” the dictionary, meanwhile, defines grit more broadly as an ability to display courage and resolve in the face of challenge.
From a pragmatic, “big picture” perspective, this could easily be making reference to the entire process of investing; certainly, this long-term practice we are pursuing together requires a healthy degree of grit from which to draw the courage, conviction, and discipline to prudently grow our clients’ wealth in pursuit of their – of your – most important long-term goals.
Life In Purgatory: Not As Bad As You’d Think?
Certainly not the most comforting analogy, but apt, nonetheless, as we sit here, essentially trapped between two realms. On the one hand, stocks have been on a tear for nearly two years; now, seemingly-lofty valuations and historic highs in market concentration are causing some investors to anticipate a reversal of fortunes. With strong corporate earnings and no sign of an impending recession, however, the path of least resistance from here remains higher, nonetheless.
For the time being, the market continues to take “Good News” as good news, but inflation trend bears watching, as this could become the catalyst that shifts investors’ mindset.
Financial planning is a crucial aspect of our lives that often gets overlooked or misunderstood. Here is a summary of what it is, who it’s for, why it's essential, and how to get your financial planning started.
Why the long face? Another year in the can, all wrapped up nice and festive with a pretty little bow, Santa Claus rally and all! Any investor with the nerve to complain that they did not get everything on their Christmas list should at least have been able to find solace in the market’s recent move to all-time highs, so let’s just keep the tidings of comfort and joy rolling all the way through 2024, right?!
You’re no doubt hearing a lot about how remarkably “resilient” the U.S. economy has been looking lately. Despite the Fed’s move to hike interest rates sharply higher over the past 18 months, economic growth in the U.S. has managed to remain in positive territory in recent quarters, steadily exceeding economists’ expectations in the process.
The Fed is on pause. No, wait! Cancel that: it may just have been a “skip” masquerading as a “pause.” Okay, so more interest rate hikes to come then. One? Two? Certainly not more than two!? And those 2023 rate cuts that markets have been pricing in since early March? Oh, okay; those are gone too now.
May 29th is National 529 Day (5/29), a day created to highlight the importance of 529 savings plans in helping families pay for college or training expenses.
TO BUY, OR SAY “GOODBYE!” …THAT IS THE QUESTION
Verily, ‘tis so! As the Ides of May grow nigh, investors are in a state of consternation to rival that of the Prince of Denmark himself as they ponder whether it be nobler – or financially more astute – to go “all-in” (Shakespeare, too, was apparently a big Texas Hold’em player) or move to the sidelines and check back in on the markets some time in the late Fall. If, perchance, either of those two extremes looks particularly appealing to you right now, I beg you heed my warning and reframe the question lest ye suffer the financial equivalent of a tragic ending.
Financial literacy is vital for everyone, as it involves having a working knowledge of money management. Without essential financial skills like budgeting, investing, and retirement planning, life can become much more difficult. Financial Literacy Month provides an opportunity to prioritize financial literacy and take advantage of resources to improve your financial situation now and in the future. Here are 6 tips to help you get started.
The Washington State Supreme Court has ruled that the excise tax on capital gains is constitutional and valid. As such, the Department of Revenue will continue collecting the tax which is due April 18, 2023. A filing extension will be granted if the taxpayer files a federal extension and requests a Washington extension prior to the original due date, but the tax must still be paid in full by April 18th (April 15th in future years). Any tax paid after that date is subject to a late payment penalty of up to 29% of the tax due.
Not all debt is bad, but reducing the debt you have can give you more options both now and later. Are you curious about what key strategies you can deploy to reduce your debt? Keep reading to learn about effective debt reduction strategies and solutions.
In light of recent events and heightened investor concerns with respect to the health and stability of the global financial system, we have prepared the following brief overview, with a specific emphasis on the provisions in place to provide for the safety of your assets. We continue to monitor the situation, which remains fluid day-to-day, and will provide updates as warranted. In the interim, we encourage you to give us a call if you have questions after reviewing the material herein.
As you have no doubt heard by now, the U.S. financial system has seen several bank failures over the past week, including its second-largest ever with the failure of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), which was taken over by regulators this past Friday. This followed the announcement middle of last week of the wind-down of Silvergate Bank and, in turn, has since been followed by the weekend takeover of Signature Bank by state regulators.
Business succession planning is a vital aspect of running any successful company. It involves creating a strategy for the transfer of ownership and management of a business when the current owner or leaders retire, pass away, or otherwise exit the company. This planning can be crucial for the long-term stability and success of the business and can have a significant impact on the personal finances and well-being of the owner and their family.
Every year, the Internal Revenue Service announces new tax brackets among other crucial credits and deductions that determine your tax rate for the upcoming year. However, the changes do not account for increased wages, which means that if you got a raise to keep up with inflation, you'll likely face the same tax rate as the prior year, all else equal. If your salary rose by more than the rate of inflation, you may fall under a higher tax bracket. But if your wages didn't keep up with inflation, you could end up in a lower tax bracket compared to 2021. The following tables present various tax facts adjusted for 2023 that you might be subject to.
The tax law places limits on the dollar amount of contributions to retirement plans and IRAs and the amount of benefits under a pension plan. IRC Section 415 requires the limits to be adjusted annually for cost-of-living increases. The following table presents various limits adjusted for 2023 that you might be subject to.
Hear ye, hear ye: Twenty Twenty-Three hereby demands a blood oath of undying loyalty! After all, that’s how it’s supposed to work, isn’t it? The people must throw their full, unquestioning support behind the new monarch before the body of the prior ruler is even cold. So, too, are we, as investors, expected to banish all of last year’s heartburn and frustration entirely from our memories into the disturbingly full dustbin of market history and pin all of our hopes and dreams to the prospects of the year ahead...as if this were our first time being led down this particular garden path!
As distinct as we each are, we all appear the same to cyber security thieves: as fair game. To them, it’s about our Social Security numbers, birth dates, account login credentials, and other personal information. But by following a few simple, yet key steps, we can fight back against identity & data theft.
As you progress through life, there will be many decisions to make, like whether you want to get married, start a family, or relocate to a new job. Life is full of trials and tribulations, and you want to be financially prepared for anything that may come your way.
We welcome the New Year with a new law aimed at changing the way we think about retirement savings. President Biden signed the SECURE 2.0 bill on December 29, 2022, making the retirement package law. The package includes 90+ new provisions, including those designed to broaden access to workplace retirement plans and raise the age when required minimum distributions begin. Here are the top 10 takeaways we want you to be aware of.
Pacific Portfolio Consulting, LLC (“Pacific Portfolio”) announced the acquisition of Conway Jarvis, LLC, a Seattle-based firm with approximately $350 million in assets under management. Conway Jarvis will operate as Pacific Portfolio and all its employees will remain in place.
When markets turn volatile, taking losses to offset capital gains can prove to be a relatively low risk way to improve your investment portfolio’s outcome. We’re talking about tax loss harvesting and another way we are committed to Increasing your Value of Time®.
The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act of 2019 revised existing rules around retirement saving, including raising the age of required minimum distributions (RMDs) and eliminating age limits for traditional IRA contributions. There is now a new bill dubbed “SECURE Act 2.0”, that builds on the first to improve retirement savings opportunities for workers. If it has broad bipartisan support, there is a significant likelihood that it will pass this year, either as a standalone or as part of broader legislation.
I bonds have been trending as rates reached their highest levels since their debut. Here’s what you need to know if you are considering adding them to your investment portfolio.
The Tuesday after Thanksgiving marks Giving Tuesday when many people choose to make charitable donations. People making charitable donations for Giving Tuesday, or at any time during the year, should review whether their gift is tax-deductible.
Now's the time to compare Medicare plans for 2023. Visit Medicare.gov through December 7 to compare plans and make any changes. If you decide to change plans, your new coverage will start January 1. Why compare plans for next year? Plans change, and your health care needs, or situation may have changed, too. Think about what benefits matter to you and find a Medicare plan that fits your needs.
ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?!?
Forgive me; no sooner had the words hit the page than it occurred to me that “entertained” is almost certainly not the word you would have chosen. Stunned perhaps? Or maybe nauseous would have been a better choice. A twenty-five percent bear market decline in stocks disrupted by sporadic and occasionally quite violent counter-trend rallies; a huge spike in the number of one to two percent swings up or down in the market from one day to the next and some of the largest intra-day reversals ever seen.
When deciding whether to rollover your 401(k) to an IRA, you should weigh the pros and cons to determine the option that protects your assets. A Rollover IRA is an account that allows you to move funds from your prior employer-sponsored retirement plan into an IRA. Carefully consider all your available options, which may include but not be limited to keeping your assets in your former employer's plan; rolling over assets to a new employer's plan; or taking a cash distribution (taxes and possible withdrawal penalties may apply).
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Utilizing the services of a certified financial planner (CFP) or financial advisor to build a strong foundation for your long-term wealth is not just an astute decision, it’s a decision your future self will thank you for.
Let’s be real: it has been a very, very long time since we have had to have this sort of conversation. There’s really no other way to put it, though: things are straight up booming right now!
Tips on when and how to hire a financial advisPeople are different. Everyone has different goals, different paths to walk in this mad world. When it comes to finances, everyone has a unique situation.
Even if you are new to investing, you may already know some of the most fundamental principles of sound investing. How did you learn them? Through ordinary, real-life experiences that have nothing to do with the stock market.
The journey to financial independence is a long one, and it requires a lot of planning and review. Learning to set investment goals is one of the most important things you can do as a new investor.
Learn more about Pacific Portfolio Consulting and our team! We know that the true importance of wealth is ensuring you can spend time with those who matter most and doing more of what makes you feel fulfilled.
If you do not want to worry as a senior, there are some key steps to take as early as possible in your working life. With proper financial planning you can enjoy life as a retiree with no money worries.
Review your estate plan now while you have time, and set up a call with your attorney to discuss any questions you may have. Making important changes now will benefit you and your loved ones down the road.
For nearly three decades, the team at Pacific Portfolio has provided tailored financial guidance to our clients with one goal in mind: Increasing their Value of Time®. We know the Value of Time® means something different for everyone.
Whether you are a business owner, CEO, or executive, overseeing a large team brings a responsibility to ensure your employees are receiving the most competitive benefits possible.
In most cases, the amount of charitable cash contributions taxpayers can deduct on Schedule A as an itemized deduction is limited to a percentage (usually 60 percent) of the taxpayer’s adjusted gross income (AGI).
Tips on how to stay motivated in business as an entrepreneur.
Tips on how to stay motivated as an entrepreneur.
The Responsibilities of Being an Executor Can Be Overwhelming.
Charitable giving under new tax law!
KEEP CALM AND RALLY ON!
You’d be right to suspect that – as usual – a very different working title originally was queued up to open this quarter’s piece. Truth is, my first impulse was to go with a rousing chorus of Life of Brian’s “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life,” as I could imagine no more fitting salute to 2020’s swirl around the toil…
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HISTORY IN THE MAKING
It’s not very often you can use a headline like that comfortably, without feeling as though you need to second-guess yourself; quite frankly, in light of everything we’ve had to go through to get to this point, that’s just fine with us! We feel quite confident, however, applying this particular lens to our current global circumstances.
Many Americans fail to understand the basics about many areas of retirement planning. Americans can use more education about retirement income planning and investment management.
You might be shocked to see what the median income currently is for retirees. As you move forward towards your own retirement, consider what you might be able to expect (or not expect) from Social Security, and be aggressive with your own savings.
During these uncertain times, plan sponsors are feeling more pressure to ensure their retirement plans are getting the attention they need. However, company executives and HR professionals struggle with being able to spend adequate time on retirement plans, leading to more consideration for outsourcing these fiduciary responsibilities.
The current environment is challenging for many people. Retirement priorities are changing. Educating yourself on how tax laws and retirement account choices will impact your future is a great way to get ahead of the game.
The financial literacy pandemic is very much apparent today. Financial education can contribute to resolving many of the difficulties plaguing America.
The classic retiree portfolio mix of low-risk, fixed-income products that return reliable income is all but over. Retirees will have to consider a different portfolio mix if they want their retirement holdings to keep up with inflation and produce income.
If you search for an investment term on the Internet, you often end up with an alphabet soup of complex financial terms. A better entry point can be picking up a book by an expert who thoughtfully and sequentially presents and explains financial concepts and investing topics.
An estate plan is a very important aspect of life that will greatly benefit your loved ones. Here are six essential estate planning documents that will ensure your family won’t have to worry when you’re gone.
ISN’T THIS WHERE WE CAME IN? The title with which I was originally tempted to open this quarter’s piece was “What a Long, Strange Trip It’s Been!”, one that (those of you keeping score will know) we have actually used before – specifically, in our 2016 year-end wrapup. Seriously: what better way to encapsulate THAT rollercoaster ride of a year?! We had to be witnessing the peak in uncertainty, volatility, and insanity, right?? Or so we thought!
The COVID-19 pandemic and, more pointedly, the drastic measures that have been enacted in an effort to contain
It wasn’t a pretty week for the market. While some investors are concerned, however, others (like us) may
Laying out the blueprint for this quarter’s commentary in late-December, the first thing I did was promise
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With the third quarter point rate cut to the Federal Funds Rate since the end of July, what is the Fed now
If you do not want to worry as a senior, there are some key steps to take as early as possible in your working life. With proper financial planning you can enjoy life as a retiree with no money worries.
How important is financial planning in your life?
How to Achieve Optimal Asset Allocation
Actually, as far as the global economic data is concerned, it can, it is, and it probably will continue to get
We interview our CEO Larry Hood and CIO Jim Ayres about the top 5 questions that clients are asking them during these strange times.
Review your estate plan now while you have time, and set up a call with your attorney to discuss any questions you may have. Making important changes now will benefit you and your loved ones down the road.
Given a continued global economic slowdown within what we view as a late-cycle expansion, we continue to monitor closely
You certainly could be forgiven for having overlooked the event itself; we are, after all, talking about mere basis points
Incorporating international equities into a portfolio has long been considered best practice to achieving investors’ goals.
While even this summer’s most action-packed blockbuster will ultimately deposit a physically- and emotionally
Market stress levels have risen considerably over the past month or so since Presidential tweets first began to make clear
On Sunday May 5th, President Trump announced on Twitter that trade talks between the US and China had stalled because
Having closed out 2018 with one of its worst quarterly showings since the financial crisis, the ongoing bull market
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It was not so very long ago that we had become accustomed to beginning our end-of-year commentary with
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In the debut episode, CIO Jim Ayres gives a Q1 Market update and interviews Sr. Research Analyst Bryan Carr about what it means to invest in ESG today.