The U.S. bull market has entered uncharted territory – it is now the longest in history and is still marching higher. But this charging bull has to catch its breath someday before resumes its run. Behavioral finance teaches us that it is during these tumultuous times when humans react emotionally (and irrationally). Although we will […]
This Useful Feature Could Simplify Your Charitable Donations
Thanks to the Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) provision, more retirees with charitable commitments are utilizing their IRAs – and often satisfying their required minimum distributions (RMD) in the process. However, the procedure can be time-consuming. The challenges include filling out the necessary paperwork for each charity, verifying the charitable organizations’ status, deciding amount (and frequency) […]
Charitable Planning in the New Tax Reform Era
Starting this year, standard deduction will almost double (Table 1), although personal exemption is eliminated. It is estimated that only 1 in every 10 returns will benefit from taking the itemized deduction, versus 30% of all returns that itemized, based on 2013 IRS data.1 Moreover, the $10,000 ceiling on state-and-local-taxes (SALTs) further reduces the need […]
A 3-Minute Introduction to the Blockchain Technology
The Industrial Revolution dramatically changed on our way of life since its birth some 200 years ago, but the Internet has truly “revolutionized the computer and communications world like nothing before,” writes the Internet Society. Today, Internet-of-things (IoT) and “smart” products have pushed innovations to a whole new level. The technology behind bitcoin could, yet […]
Estate Planning Primer: The Six Building Blocks
Many clients and even some advisors frown upon the thought of estate planning, thinking that it is not necessary, that timing is not right, or that it is ominous to plan for one’s demise. Ultimately, many planning initiatives never come to fruition, or too much time has lapsed and the effectiveness and outcomes of the […]
How the Golden State Warriors Can Make You a Better Investor
The Golden State Warriors stormed to their second NBA championship in the past three seasons, topping the league in both offense and defense. The Warriors’ accomplishments in recent years have been remarkable, and it seems likely that we will be witnessing an era of continued dominance by this incredible team. What I have found most […]
