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Is a Roth Conversion Right For You?
Many people are taking advantage of the tax benefits that come along with Roth accounts. No matter what your income or tax status is, you can take advantage as well. What is a Roth Conversion? A Roth conversion is when you convert a pre-tax account (Traditional IRA, 401k, 403B) to a Roth IRA. By doing…
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When is it Safe to Get In the Market?
Perhaps one of the biggest challenges that investors face is determining if “right now” is a safe time to invest (meaning not just the present, but any time). What makes it difficult for investors is a twofold issue: first, is a lack of historical knowledge and perspective, and second, their own emotions. Actually, if one…
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Third Quarter Market Returns
As you might have already heard the stock market took a dip in the most recent quarter. Fixed income categories on the other hand did see mostly slight gains. The Matson Money Fixed Income Fund (Short term Bonds) is up 0.88% for the year. 1. This is the first quarter in over 2 years that…
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Should You Be Investing Based on Track Record?
It seems like common sense to buy a product that is popular or seems to be doing well. For example, a few of my friends will be buying the new I Phone 6S, largely because Apple has a proven track record of making successful and innovative phones. As consumers, that is what we look for…
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Life Insurance 101
The subject of life insurance may not sound all that exciting, but it is an extreme benefit to those who have it. A lot of people think that since the concept of life insurance is simple, the products are simple as well. That is not true at all, especially today where there are so…
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Investment Accounts 101
Planning your investments to build a retirement fund can be a dizzying prospect. The various questions, options, details, accounts, and amounts are enough to make anyone’s head spin. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a generic recipe for success? A nice neat list of step by step instructions on how to make the best…
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Considering Buying Gold? Read This First
We have all seen the advertisements and headlines that keep telling us that investors need to flee to safety and buy gold. They will tell us that the stock market is going to crash worse than last time, and that investors need a hedge to inflation with gold. They will say it with charisma and…
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Who Should You be Getting Investment Advice From?
If you are looking for advice on investing, you can look just about anywhere and get some opinion. It is important to understand the reason behind the advice that someone is giving, and also the education and evidence behind the advice given. Suitability Vs Fiduciary Brokers/life insurance agents/banks that offer investment advice have an obligation to…
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Second Quarter Market Recap
The second quarter saw continued small increases in the stock market almost across the board. The only real loser is the owner of long term fixed income, as rates increased bringing prices down rapidly. The S&P 500 Index (Large Cap Stocks) rose 0.28% in the quarter, extending its streak to ten consecutive quarters of positive gains.…
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The Worst Investment Advice Ever
I go online to check Yahoo Finance everyday to see how the stock market and other markets are doing. I try to stick to the numbers and real information, and avoid the headlines and articles most of the time. But, about a week ago this was the headline that couldn’t be missed. Economist Predicts: “The Greatest Stock…
