RMD Season is here – Is your DOB between 7-1-48 to 6-30-49 ?
In this post, we reminded all of those with the unique option of deferring that first RMD an extra year on the perils of the double income from that deferral decision…..
Defer at your own risk and make sure you will not jump a tax bracket by doing so!
Mortgage Rate Update – Time to Refinance?
Mortgage rates (the drop there of – in rates) caught our attention and in this post, we reminded of eleven (just counted them – was surprised so many) items to think of when/if you should refinance – its a big decision and there are many variables, if you didn’t catch the post and have been in your loan for a few years, be sure to take a look … another reminder will also make its way to you in the Q 4 2019 Newsletter –
Capital Market Comments –
Inverted Yield Curve Update
In this post, early in the month we reviewed the definitely inverted yield curve…. and spoke to this being one of the slowest recoveries on record…. just after our post, the yield curve did normalize on positive trade talks…. Look for more details in the coming Q 4 2019 Newsletter-
FED Lowers Again, but only by .25%
Jerome Powell Chief of the FOMC (Federal Open Market Committee) lowered rates by .25% to the 1.75 to 2.00% range, which will directly effect our overnight money, such as checking accounts and money markets…
Their fear is the prior mentioned Tariff saber rattling causing an extended slowdown….
We prefer they save that gunpowder for a real fire, but just pouring a small bit of gasoline on the coals is ok for now!
Have a Great Day – Talk to you at the end of October!
Click each link for the actual post…. each post has a couple of minute discussion from Social Security Expert Tom Clark — THESE ARE IMPORTANT AND COMPLICATED- so take your time!
Call Spam Protection Update
In this second follow up post due to demand, comments and questions we further discuss options for additional protection, depending on the major service provider….
Capital Market Comments –
Tariff Talk Jitters
Depending on the day and the headline, Capital Market Participants in true bipolar fashion seem to either cheer with reckless abandonment and buy buy buy or head for the exits and sell sell sell….
Just by chance it was nice to run across a wonderful historical chart, here in this post, showing this Tariff talk is far from the first time…. maybe for some of us, but in reality we have been dealing with this for decades….(Century)
Have a Great Day – Talk to you at the end of September!
After almost violating our own rule, here in this updated article we reviewed the reasons not to have a claim on your insurance.
With a mini water heater retiring under its own terms but leaving a small leak and also mandating repairs… it was a great time to remind ourselves and update the article – we hope you enjoy!
Ways to Electronically Access Data
In this article we review the various ways to access our electronic information and review the major differences between our New Total Vault and just regular Account View Access.
Personal Property Tax Growth Versus Assets
With multiple comments from many directions about the rising costs of personal property we set off to do an initial analysis on just why it seems personal property taxes are digging into our pockets a bit deeper.
Our findings suggest it important to take personal property taxes into consideration, especially when dealing with our Real Estate Assets.
Capital Market Comments –
It’s all about the FOMC – Federal Open Market Committee
Last month, here in great detail the FOMC, headed by Chair Jerome Powell made statements that led market participants to expect a lowering of rates – TODAY!
If they do not lower rates later today, market participants may be disappointed…. we would not, as our beliefs are that rates cuts should be used for more pronounced economic events…. if they do lower rates, it will likely not be a continued lowering, which is a great compromise for all!
Have a Great Day – Talk to you at the end of August!
The Perot Museum Thursday November 14th, 2019 from 6:30 to 9 PM for a fun filled event!
Newbies –
We like to articulate our thoughts and review on a Monthly basis our Financial Planning Tips, Capital Markets and current events!
Financial Planning Tip (s) –
Password Safe Keeping Idea and 1 Minute Video
After attending a conference that mentioned multiple times the troubles associated with Digital Assets AKA your passwords, a brain storming session led to this terrific post about how to safeguard your password, upload to the private portion of your Vault, password your document, and then refresh occasionally. A possible Excel file with links that is itself heavily/strong password protected!
We even completed a video and added it to our Video page on our main website here!
Capital Market Comments –
FOMC Pre and Post Meeting Update
Here in the Preview meeting post and with Robert Kaplan audio (below) explaining how he and the FOMC (Federal Open Market Committee) go about determining what to do with rates, we also mentioned many expecting a LOWERING of rates….just a few quarters ago, unthinkable.
Here is the Kaplan Audio:
MP3 File
Wave File
Post meeting Market Participants…
Fast forward to our Post Meeting Post here , and while we did not get a lowering of rates, the great consensus feel like the following quote signaled they are coming all garnered from this statement and supported by the lowered GDP expectations – chart below:
“…. but uncertainties about this outlook have increased…”
For a sleepy time of the year, there is a lot going on – That’s what we are here for!
Have a Great Day – Talk to you at the end of July!
Hello and Welcome to our May 2019 Financial Planning and Capital Market Update!
If you are too busy to read, feel free to listen as we describe our post and thoughts in friendly podcast format as well as Video!
Newbies – We like to articulate our thoughts and review on a Monthly basis our Financial Planning Tips, Capital Markets and current events!
May – 2019 Video
Financial Planning Tip (s) –
Why Reading the Fine Print is Still Important
Here in this post we discussed the need to keep an eye out for tricksters as the still find their ways into our lives…. this post was created after stumbling on to an offer of 99% annul charges on what looked like a request for a donation to a charity… can’t make this up.. even took the blurry (bad photographer) picture for proof…
Sharpening the Saw – Personal Income Tax Bracket Review
In our Sharpening the Saw post here, we posted from a local conference we were attending and grabbed our favorite Tax Chart as a reminder of the new tax law changes.
This chart, which is also making an appearance in the Q 3 Newsletter is a great review/update on the new tax brackets, especially those who are retired:
Capital Market Comments –
Yield Curve Inversion is back, as we had a brief few days in March, but as of the end of May we had a much more distinct inversion with the 10 year at 2.15% and the 90 day near 2.40%-
The following chart is from our own trading system and is the 10 year yield less the 19 week yield or the equivalent 90 day yield… the black line marks the zero point – anything below the zero is inversion !
It’s inverted now for sure…. Again, LOT’s more to come!
Have a Great Day – Talk to you at the end of June!
Here in this post we discussed the possible ways to most comfortably enter new capital into the Capital Markets.
Super Safe sources of capital may be best suited for an entrance over time, while funds coming from the Capital Markets, may go directly back into the Capital Markets, especially if risk reduction is also part of the allocation.
Over a 5 – 10 year time frame it does not matter, but why twist an ankle in the short term!
Social Security Event – Questions
Wow – all of these great questions were sent to us for our Event this month…. all were answered, if not directly, indirectly. We look forward to sharing actual audio (Tom speaks very fast and covered a lot of ground) from the event in a multi-part post series over the summer months!
Last time we spoke you were VERY certain Social Security would be there for all of us upon retirement – With all of the changes, do you still feel this way?
Can you explain the divorced verses divorced and remarried benefits?
Have you ever heard of someone being offered a lump sum of retroactive Social Security benefits?
November of 2015 ushered in new laws and changes, are there any neat techniques that survived?
Can you explain non US citizen spousal benefits?
We have been told many of the benefit statements are not always accurate, understating the actual eventual benefit, has this been your experience?
How much can I earn and not receive penalties if I retire before my full retirement age?
The Full Retirement Age keeps being pushed out, will this continue? Is there a schedule?
How long do I have to report my Social Security earnings if they were not reported by an employer?
For many years I did not draw on an ex-spouses earnings by accident – using only my earnings benefit, can I request some sort of look back to get my full benefits?
If want to change my Social Security election decision after I made it and have been drawing benefits, Can I do that?
Do I have to take Social Security Benefits ? What if I do not want to?
Is it better to sign up in person or use the website, or does it matter?
My wife is not a US citizen, does that affect her spousal benefits?
Will Social Security always be there in your opinion?
What percent of people take benefits early, at full retirement age and as late as possible?
I am 65 and working with a good healthcare plan. I wasn’t going to sign up for Medicare until after I retire. However I am told a Medicare Part F; a supplemental plan eliminating deductibles, will not be available after 2019; Should I enroll and sign up for Part F?
I was married for more than 10 years to a high income earner, if I get remarried to my new spouse who is not a high income earner, will I give up benefits?
Have you seen any of the on-line Social Security Optimization Programs? If so, any you like better than others? (From JK)
What are your thoughts about an income based phase out of Social Security in the future? Much like the penalty for W-2 income and having started early Social Benefits ? (From JK)
Capital Market Comments –
Happy Again
After throwing a Hissy Fit near the end of 2018, “Everybody Is Happy” again !
This is a total index chart, note that it has not reached new highs yet, however many other indexes have.
Let’s not forget that we DID have an inverted yield curve which is a great predictor of a pending recession …. only the Shadow knows when! We have our eyes peeled!
Each year the IRS publishes their top dozen tax scams, here in our post we cover all dirty dozen tax scams to be aware.
Our top three are their first three-
Phishing
Phone Scams
Identity Theft
Which are the ones we see most frequently!
For the record, we have seen way less this year than in years past!
Choose Beneficiaries Carefully Part II
Here in our Part II beneficiary post, we discuss the two most common types of designations you will likely see on Beneficiary paperwork, Per Stirpes (flows to heirs, irregardless of survivors) and ProRata (funds only to survivors) and once again as a reminder that Beneficiary language will over ride Wills and other types of Estate Planning documents – choose carefully!
Capital Market Comments –
Inverted Yield Curve
Here we spoke of the three hour inverted yield curve in a Break In abbreviated post. As an update, the yield curve has been inverted most of this week, making is a TRUE inversion.
We will have a detailed review soon, but again the importance of this event is the recession signaling prowess.
All recessions are not equal, and we highly suspect the next one will be a shallow one, but our radars are up.
Have a Great Day – Talk to you at the end of March!
The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine which investments may be appropriate for you, please consult your financial advisor prior to investing!
Background
The is the vocal portion of J.K. Financial, Inc. a Dallas Texas Based Fee Only Total Wealth Financial Planning Firm. Founded by John Kvale, a Dallas Texas Fee only Financial Planner and Total Wealth Manager.
September 2019 Podcast Video, Financial Planning and Capital Market Update – By John Kvale
Hello and Welcome to our September 2019 Financial Planning and Capital Market Update!
If you are too busy to read, feel free to listen as we describe our post and thoughts in friendly podcast format as well as Video!
BREAK IN :
November 14th from 6:30 to 9 PM – Perot Museum – For the Evening
Newbies –
We like to articulate our thoughts and review on a Monthly basis our Financial Planning Tips, Capital Markets and current events!
September – 2019 Video
Financial Planning Tip (s) –
RMD Season is here – Is your DOB between 7-1-48 to 6-30-49 ?
In this post, we reminded all of those with the unique option of deferring that first RMD an extra year on the perils of the double income from that deferral decision…..
Defer at your own risk and make sure you will not jump a tax bracket by doing so!
Mortgage Rate Update – Time to Refinance?
Mortgage rates (the drop there of – in rates) caught our attention and in this post, we reminded of eleven (just counted them – was surprised so many) items to think of when/if you should refinance – its a big decision and there are many variables, if you didn’t catch the post and have been in your loan for a few years, be sure to take a look … another reminder will also make its way to you in the Q 4 2019 Newsletter –
Capital Market Comments –
Inverted Yield Curve Update
In this post, early in the month we reviewed the definitely inverted yield curve…. and spoke to this being one of the slowest recoveries on record…. just after our post, the yield curve did normalize on positive trade talks…. Look for more details in the coming Q 4 2019 Newsletter-
FED Lowers Again, but only by .25%
Jerome Powell Chief of the FOMC (Federal Open Market Committee) lowered rates by .25% to the 1.75 to 2.00% range, which will directly effect our overnight money, such as checking accounts and money markets…
Their fear is the prior mentioned Tariff saber rattling causing an extended slowdown….
We prefer they save that gunpowder for a real fire, but just pouring a small bit of gasoline on the coals is ok for now!
Have a Great Day – Talk to you at the end of October!
John A. Kvale CFA, CFP
Founder of J.K. Financial, Inc.
A Dallas Texas based fee only
Financial Planning Total Wealth
Management firm.
www.jkfinancialinc.com
street-cents
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Posted in Debt - Debt Management, Economy, FOMC, General Financial Planning, Interest Rates, Investing/Financial Planning, Market Comments, Monthly Review, Podcast, Tax Related, Video
Tagged Inverted Yield Curve, Mortgage, Mortgage Refinance, Perot, RMD, Tariff