FINANCIaL
FIELd NOTES
International Stocks Still Cheap Relative to the U.S.
After more than a decade of U.S. stock dominance, international stocks outperformed U.S. stocks last year.
That has naturally investors to wonder “Did we miss it?”
Even after a period of international outperformance, U.S. stocks remain historically expensive relative to international stocks, and the valuation gap between the two is still unusually wide…
The Economy Is Better Than Everyone Thinks
Last week I came across this data point. Simply asked “How do you perceive your situation now and in the future,” 1/3 of American’s reported saying “I’m thriving.” I found this shockingly high. Only 7% said they were “suffering.”
Three Fascinating Books I Read This Year
This year looked a little different on the reading front. With a newborn at home, my “books read” mainly came in the form of audiobooks on walks around the neighborhood and in the car on the way to work. It wasn’t a big reading year, but there were still a few that really stuck with me…
Why Renting Is The Smart Move in Today’s Housing Market
One of the most common conversations I’ve had with clients this year has nothing to do with their finances. It’s about their children’s struggle to enter the housing market.
Many of my clients are in a strong financial position with stable housing and meaningful savings. But they look at the current housing market and worry that their young adult kids, just starting careers or families, are being priced out of homeownership. It’s understandable, given that the cost of homeownership has skyrocketed relative to renting in recent years…
Hidden Gaps in Auto Insurance Many Drivers Miss
When most people buy car insurance, they usually get a few quotes, pick a familiar company, and trust the agent’s recommendation.
Unfortunately, that can leave families exposed to major financial risk. Here are a few gaps that I’ve seen routinely come up with clients over the years…
Hidden Taxes Making Roth Conversions More Expensive
For many investors, Roth conversions are one of the best tools for managing long-term taxes. Moving money from a pre-tax IRA into a Roth IRA can reduce future required minimum distributions (RMDs), create more flexibility in retirement, and allow for tax-free growth for life.
But there’s a hidden trap that catches many people off guard, and it’s usually caught too late. When you factor in lost deductions or credits and other taxable assets, the effective tax rate on a Roth conversion can be far higher than the bracket you think you’re paying…