Markets Keep Defying the Experts and the News
On Aug. 25, the S&P 500 index closed above 2,000 for the first time — finishing at 2,000.24. It had taken the index more than 16 years to double from its first close above 1,000 on Feb. 2, 1998, when...
Quick Take on Fixed Income
Q: What are the characteristics of preferred stocks? A: Preferred stocks can be viewed as a hybrid of stocks and bonds. Preferred shareholders receive preference over common equity holders (hence the term “preferred”) for dividend payouts and in the event...
Learning to Shun the Instagram Life
“We should just move to the country and live in a tent.” I mention this idea to my wife every time I’m confronted with one of the realities of living in Park City, Utah. It seems like almost everyone here...
Quick Take on Fixed Income
Q: Can you capture higher returns on a municipal portfolio by lowering its credit quality? A: Investors generally demand a higher yield when purchasing lower-credit-quality municipal bonds due to their greater risk. The assumption is the greater the risk, the...
What are the differences between a brokered CD and a bank CD?
Q: What are the differences between a brokered CD and a bank CD? A: A certificate of deposit is a type of bond that has a stated maturity and coupon payment. Most CDs offer a fixed interest rate, and maturities...
How can you effectively harvest tax losses in bonds
Q: How can you effectively harvest tax losses in bonds? A: The prospect of higher interest rates scares a lot of investors as that can mean lower bond prices and the potential for losses. You can, however, take advantage of these...
Who’s in the Driver’s Seat? Having Real Conversations With Older Relatives About Diminishing Driving Ability
By Sylvia Nissenboim Recently, a friend and I spent a week at the Grand Canyon. Upon our return, a family member picked us up at the airport. Our stories of the challenging excursion ended abruptly as we swerved...
10 “sure things” for 2014: Not so much
At the beginning of each year, I compile a list of predictions that financial gurus and industry experts tell us are a “sure thing.” And each year, I track how many of these predictions actually come true. So, it’s now...
Counting the Ways That Budgeting Has Added Up in My Marriage
Several years ago, my wife and I sat across from an experienced married couple squirming in their seats as though they feared we were about to deliver some terrible news. But the source of their discomfort was what they were...
My Take: Holding Your Breath for Financial Success
by Brian Zdrowak Have you ever tried to see how long you could hold your breath underwater? When I was a kid, whether on family vacations in Picton, Ontario or at a friend’s pool, I would challenge others to see...
