Category Archives: Monthly Review

Posted in Audio, Clients/Clients Only, Cyber, General Financial Planning, Interest Rates, Investing/Financial Planning, Market Comments, Monthly Review, Video

Tagged Cyber, FOMC, Interest Rates

August 2021 Financial Planning and Capital Market Review – By John Kvale

Posted on September 1, 2021 by John Kvale CFA, CFP | Leave a comment

Hello and Welcome to our August 2021 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 audio 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!

Hope you enjoy!

August 2021 Video

Financial Planning Tip(s)

Unemployment Fraud Alert

Multiple frauds occurring in continuous weeks, led us to write this post, reminding those that the fraudsters are still at it.

Their latest game…using stolen Socials and Employment information to gain unsuspecting employers Unemployment compensation.

While likely some accidentally fall through the cracks, we have yet to experience anything other than a mild inconvenience….

But do not let your guards down and if a victim, keep your eyes peeled for other items for the near term!

Child Tax Credit Confusion

After repeated confusion, here in this post we outline the new ADVANCED child tax credit payments than sneakily commenced several months ago…

Also a warning of an overworked IRS to keep line of sight to the funds in case we need to pay them back in the form of a higher tax bill when completing our 2021 Form 1040 Personal income tax return in April of 2022!

Capital Market Comments

Kyle Bass Forecasts

In this podcast derived post, we re-visit Kyle Bass again after a few year hiatus…

Here are his latest forecasts…. hopefully they come true

The Federal Reserve will continue to support the markets with continued purchases.
Federal Reserve feels responsible for Capital Markets … i.e. Every Federal Reserve member has a Bloomberg Investment terminal on their desk and post public talks, Fed members go back to their office to check the markets reactions to their comments.
Much more inflation than actually as printed by CPI – (Consumer Price Index) Example of car price increases up 300% over last thirty years, but CPI auto costs increased 5% over that period.
Cost of Food increases may cause social inequity problems.
Oil hits $100 per barrel this year … due to mal investment over the last 7 years.
Short term interest rates not to go higher than 1.5% and long term (10 year) rates will not go higher than 2.5%. i.e. Bernanke Helicopter speech outlines the difficulty in raising rates a lot once they are at a lowered level for some time.
We push through the Delta Variant and there is a REAL re-opening effect that works its way through the economy (Hope this is correct!)

Have a Great Day, Talk to You at the End of September!

John A. Kvale CFA, CFP

Founder of J.K. Financial, Inc.

A Dallas Texas based fee only

Financial Planning Total Wealth

Management firm.

Posted in Audio, Clients/Clients Only, General Financial Planning, Investing/Financial Planning, Market Comments, Monthly Review, Retirement Planning, Tax Related, Video

Tagged Advanced Child Tax Credit, Child Tax, Child Tax Credit, Fraud, IRS, IRS Refunds, Kyle Bass, Unemployment Fraud, Unemployment Insurance

July (YIKES GOING FAST) 2021 Financial Planning and Capital Market Review – By John Kvale

Posted on August 2, 2021 by John Kvale CFA, CFP | Leave a comment

Hello and Welcome to our July 2021 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 audio 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!

Hope you enjoy!

July 2021 Video

YouTube

Financial Planning Tip(s)

IRS Refunds and Tax Return Processing Very Delayed

In this Break In Post, after having discussions with several of you, and then touching our CPA contacts we came to the conclusion that the IRS is delayed in processing returns and more importantly REFUNDS!!!

Before we could get the news to you, this Yahoo Finance Article nicely summarizes that the IRS is behind on a whopping 20% of returns or over 30 million !

With a September 1, 2021 IRS stimulus check lookback (those who did not get the last round of stimulus will be reviewed by the IRS to see if they qualify) the IRS has their hands very full….

All together…. PATIENCE! They will eventually get to us!

Fingers Crossed For a Hot (Large) COLA Increase

Catching wind through our contacts of a possible HOT (read Large!) COLA adjustment this year for Social Security and possibly those lucky ones that have a COLA adjuster on their Pension or other retirement plan we dug in here in this post and outlined the methodology used by the SSA. The line in the sand for adjustment is later in the year but as can be seen by the latest CPI-W running at 6.1%, with a little luck, we may have a very nice adjustment on our hands!

Capital Market Comments

Valuations are Getting Better but Expectations are WAY out of Line!

In this post and with the help of our Friends at JPMorgan we happily reviewed the far right hand smartly turning graph, that is headed in the correct direction for better valuations… YAY

A bit later in the month we ran across a wonderful but somewhat worrisome poll done by Natixis of over 8000 investors and their expected return over the next 10 years…. Way off base in our minds….

Likely to see this last poll make its way into the Newsletter as these numbers are likely so exaggerated, we want more air time!

Ok…that’s a wrap for the July review….

Have a Great Day, Talk to You at the End of August!

John A. Kvale CFA, CFP

Founder of J.K. Financial, Inc.

A Dallas Texas based fee only

Financial Planning Total Wealth

Management firm.

Posted in Audio, Clients/Clients Only, General Financial Planning, Investing/Financial Planning, Market Comments, Monthly Review, Retirement Planning, Social Security, Tax Related, Video

Tagged Cola, Forward PE, Inflation, IRS, IRS Delays, IRS Refunds, JPMorgan, Natixis, Natixis Investor Survey, Pension COLA, Social Security COLA

June 2021 Financial Planning and Capital Market Review – By John Kvale

Posted on June 30, 2021 by John Kvale CFA, CFP | Leave a comment

Hello and Welcome to our June 2021 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 audio 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!

BREAK IN – HOLIDAY PARTY NOVEMBER 20 FROM 3-5 AT DALLAS ATHLETIC CLUB

Hope you enjoy!

June 2021 Video

YouTube

Financial Planning Tip(s)

Why Not to Overfund a Retirement Plan

In this updated post from a few years ago, we remind how easily it is to overfund a 401k plan and why, while it is not the end of the world, it is not a good tax situation….

Should you accidentally over fund your retirement plan … what occurs is a double taxation!

You do not get the deduction for the contribution
You will likely pay taxes on the eventual distribution

Job change is the most likely reason for overfunding!

Pesky Late Arriving Tax Form Reminder – Form 5498

In this mid month post we remind those of an extra late arriving tax form….

Murphy’s law being applied, the form just arrived last week….about two weeks after our post…..

Reason for receipt:

Rollover of a 401k or the like to an IRA – Most frequent
Contribution to an IRA
Contribution to a SEP

One of the most confusing parts of this form is that even though you may have made a qualified contribution for a prior year i.e. 2020, if you made that contribution in 2021, depending on the type of contribution the Form 5498 MAY show your contribution in year 2021.

Capital Market Comments

Inflation or No Inflation

In this part two post, “The Smartest Guys in the Room” post we discussed via interest rate futures graphs the movement after FOMC dot plot adjustments and the interest rate markets….

This is an updated Graph of the 2 year US Treasury, which is holding lower, (higher yield) possibly due to faster expected rate increases!

This is the ultra long 30 Year Treasury, which continues to trend higher (lower Yield) possible pricing less inflation from the above mentioned expected shorter term rate increases!

Ok…that’s a wrap for the June review…. Hello July!

Have a Great Day, Talk to You at the End of July!

John A. Kvale CFA, CFP

Founder of J.K. Financial, Inc.

A Dallas Texas based fee only

Financial Planning Total Wealth

Management firm.

Posted in Audio, Clients/Clients Only, Economy, FOMC, General Financial Planning, Interest Rates, Investing/Financial Planning, Market Comments, Monthly Review, Retirement Planning, Why

Tagged 2 Year Treasury, 30 Year Treasury, 401k, FOMC, Form 5498, Inflation, Interest Rates

May 2021 Financial Planning and Capital Market Review – By John Kvale

Posted on June 2, 2021 by John Kvale CFA, CFP | Leave a comment

Hello and Welcome to our May 2021 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 audio 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!

Hope you enjoy!

May 2021 Video

YouTube

Financial Planning Tips

Preparing to Hit the Sky Again

In this Break In Moment Post, an executive of the company Fligence reached out with regards to our fun TSA Posts through the closure of the country.

Their neatly designed website can be a very handy item for determining your possible time needs and delays as well as neatly follow our country to reopening at full speed.

Capital Market Comments

Inflation or No Inflation

In doing writings, I try to approach each article with a clear mind and head, especially if the post is heavy ….

Many times I try to completely forget the article or post from maybe just a week before….

Good News…. the Month of May was a success in clearing my mind as I accidentally pounded everyone over the head with Inflation stuff…..

My apologies, but it coming at us from so many directions made it top of mind….

At the Berkshire Hathaway meeting post, starring Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger, Inflation was all the chatter and a huge concern for them.

Then Here in our Jolts – job opening Post we looked at how there are tons of jobs to be had –

Here in our Favorite Dallas Federal Reserve Chair post, Robert Kaplan – Sooner rather than later, worries inflation may be coming if we stay too low on interest rates…

Lastly in this verbal tug of war post between Jim Bianco and Lacy Hunt, they could not more disagree very emphatically.

Time will tell who is correct in their thinking!

Have a Great Day, Talk to You at the End of June!

John A. Kvale CFA, CFP

Founder of J.K. Financial, Inc.

A Dallas Texas based fee only

Financial Planning Total Wealth

Management firm.

Posted in Audio, Economy, FOMC, General Financial Planning, Interest Rates, Investing/Financial Planning, Market Comments, Monthly Review, Retirement Planning

Tagged Charlie Munger, Def, Inflation, Jim Bianco, Lacy Hunt, Mauldin, Robert Kaplan, SIC Conference, Warren Buffett

April 2021 Financial Planning and Capital Market Review – By John Kvale

Posted on April 30, 2021 by John Kvale CFA, CFP | Leave a comment

Hello and Welcome to our April 2021 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 audio 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!

Hope you enjoy!

April 2021 Video

YouTube

Financial Planning Tips

Rounds 1-3 Stimulus Funds Explained

In this late month post we reviewed our integrated Tax Filing learnings with an updated Stimulus check flow of funds…

The confusing part is mostly from the situation where a decrease in earnings from 2019 to 2020 brought Stimulus credits onto our 2020 Tax return, in the form of that Sneaky Line 30 of our 1040.

September 1, 2021 Round 3 of $1400 Stimulus Look back

There are several important lines in the sand….

Individuals/Families who had a higher 2019 income that knocked them out of some or all of the stimulus original money but a lower 2020 income assuming this person would have qualified for the $1400 per person stimulus based on year 2020 … what the IRS is going to do concerning this matter is on September 1st 2021 they’re going to review all of the 2020 tax returns for folks who had not received the $1400 credit for them and their family and if they meet that threshold they will then receive the $1400 credit period remember this is the much faster phaseout of only $160k and $80k Joint and for an individual.

2021 Tax Return Look Back

Assuming you were not below the thresh hold for 2019 or 2020 return, If a person’s income in 2021 were to drop below the new thresholds .. think next year around this time… you will still qualify for the $1400 credit . They are using the same play book as the original March 2020 rebate look back to give an extra year of the $1400 being credited and it would then show up on sneaky line 30 form 1040 tax return for 2021!.

Capital Market Comments

Fearful or Greedy

“Be Fearful When Others are Greedy and Greedy When Others are Fearful”
Warren Buffett

In this mid-month post we take a soft swipe at market Valuations, knowing that Valuations do not make markets drop, but does possibly set them up for faster drops if unexpected events occur

Time to Be Greedy

Capital Markets are the only store in town where when things go on sale, people flee the store!

Time to Be Cautious

For some reason we just want to hop on and go for a ride- feels good -but very dangerous!

Have a Great Day, Talk to You at the End of May!

John A. Kvale CFA, CFP

Founder of J.K. Financial, Inc.

A Dallas Texas based fee only

Financial Planning Total Wealth

Management firm.

Posted in Audio, Care Act, General Financial Planning, Investing/Financial Planning, Market Comments, Monthly Review

Tagged Fear, Greed, Round 1-3, Stimulus, Stimulus Check, Warren Buffett

March 2021 Financial Planning and Capital Market Review – By John Kvale

Posted on March 31, 2021 by John Kvale CFA, CFP | Leave a comment

Hello and Welcome to our March 2021 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 audio 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!

Hope you enjoy!

March 2021 Video

Financial Planning Tips

TWO HANDY REMINDER POSTS – CREDIT REPORT AND SOCIAL SECURITY EARNINGS CREDITS

We had not one but two really good reminder posts over the last four weeks, on which is featured in the Newsletter in great detail and one that is a handy annual reminder – hat tip DK!

Here in this post we highlight why and how you can check your credit report. This is a really good thing to do at least annually to see if there are any barnacles attached to your credit, thereby lowering it and possibly causing other costs in your life to increase i.e. as mentioned in the insurance.

Here in this second post and again also featured in the Newsletter, why you should check to make sure you are getting credit for those hard earned tax dollars being sent to the Social Security Administration AND very importantly a reminder to look for missing credits in your history!

STIMULUS CHECK UPDATE

In this post, we detailed the planning techniques associated with the third round of $1400 stimulus checks and what to watch out for as well as the new cliff thresholds of phase outs… further detailed with the following chart:

Capital Market Comments

MAXIMUM MACRO ECONOMICS COMING SOON

Not every trying to be a trend setter or first into the pool – we accidentally beat most of the regular commentators here in this post to the fact that there are likely some VERY HOT ECONOMIC numbers coming our way.

These will occur due to easy comparisons associated with the drop in Economic activity about a year ago as well as continued lift off as we open up for business once again.

There will be interesting dialogue in the Headlines – Be for warned much of this may be skewed by the afore mentioned!

Have a Great Day, Talk to You at the End of April!

John A. Kvale CFA, CFP

Founder of J.K. Financial, Inc.

A Dallas Texas based fee only

Financial Planning Total Wealth

Management firm.

Posted in Audio, General Financial Planning, Investing/Financial Planning, Monthly Review, Tax Related

March 2021 Financial Planning and Capital Market Review – By John Kvale

Posted on March 31, 2021 by John Kvale CFA, CFP | Leave a comment

Hello and Welcome to our March 2021 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 audio 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!

Hope you enjoy!

March 2021 Video

YouTube

Financial Planning Tips

Two Handy Reminder Posts – Credit Report and Social Security Earnings Credits

We had not one but two really good reminder posts over the last four weeks, on which is featured in the Newsletter in great detail and one that is a handy annual reminder – hat tip DK!

Stimulus Check Update

March 2020 Review, Annual Reminders Credit Report and Social Security Eearn

Capital Market Comments

Maximum Macro Economics Coming Soon

These will occur due to easy comparisons associated with the drop in Economic activity about a year ago as well as continued lift off as we open up for business once again.

There will be interesting dialogue in the Headlines – Be for warned much of this may be skewed by the afore mentioned!

Have a Great Day, Talk to You at the End of April!

John A. Kvale CFA, CFP

Founder of J.K. Financial, Inc.

A Dallas Texas based fee only

Financial Planning Total Wealth

Management firm.

https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment

Posted in Annual Reviewed, General Financial Planning, Market Comments, Monthly Review, Podcast, Social Security

Tagged credit report, macro economics, Social Security Earnings History

January 2021 Financial Planning and Capital Market Review – By John Kvale

Posted on February 1, 2021 by John Kvale CFA, CFP | Leave a comment

Hello and Welcome to our January 2021 (First Monthly Review of the New Year) 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 audio 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!

Hope you enjoy!

January 2021 Video – First of Year

YouTube

Financial Planning Tips

Required Minimum Distributions Now 72

As mentioned here in our post, do not feel bad if you lost track of changes, as in just over 12 months there were THREE – yes three major laws implemented.

Late December of 2019, the SECURE act (Setting Every Community Up for Retirement) among other things, upped the first mandatory RMD (Required Minimum Distributions) from Qualified/IRA/401k type plans to 72!

The Covid 19 related Cares Act passed in late March of 2020 nullified RMD’s for all of 2020, making for some confusion.

Second Stimulus Check Update

In this post, we review the new Stimulus check amounts, and where you can CAREFULLY go to check the status of your check…. here are the highlights…

Generally, U.S. citizens and resident aliens who are not eligible to be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s income tax return are eligible for this second payment. Eligible individuals will automatically receive an Economic Impact Payment of up to $600 for individuals or $1,200 for married couples and up to $600 for each qualifying child. Generally, if you have adjusted gross income for 2019 up to $75,000 for individuals and up to $150,000 for married couples filing joint returns and surviving spouses, you will receive the full amount of the second payment.

Here is the link to the US Government tracking site:

Once open need to Click on “Get My Payment” Tab

Be very careful when opening this site to NOT allow your browser to jump to any other site than that associated with the IRS as you will be asked for confidential information!

Capital Market Comments

Buffett Back Of Napkin Valuation Metric

After happily receiving an “OK” to reprint graphs directly from the CEO of this industry publication – Look Out, there are tons of Great Articles that we look forward to bringing you!

Up first, a great broad Buffett “Back of the Napkin” Market Value Metric- This is the Market Capitalization of the S&P 500 divided by the US Gross Domestic Production…. This measure has never been this high before- sending a warning signal for Current Valuations.

“Price is what you pay, value is what you get!”

Chart Via Jill Mislinski 1-5-21 (Advisor Perspectives)

Happy Start to the New Year!

Have a Great Day and Super Start to the New Year!

John A. Kvale CFA, CFP

Founder of J.K. Financial, Inc.

A Dallas Texas based fee only

Financial Planning Total Wealth

Management firm.

Posted in Care Act, Economy, General Financial Planning, Investing/Financial Planning, Market Comments, Monthly Review, Podcast, Retirement Planning

Tagged Buffett, Buffett Valuation, Cares Act, GDP to SP 500, Review, RMD, Secure Act, Stimulus Check, Stimulus Check Link

November 2020 Podcast Video, Financial Planning and Capital Market Update – By John Kvale …

Posted on November 30, 2020 by John Kvale CFA, CFP | Leave a comment

Hello and Welcome to our November 2020 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 audio 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!

Hope you enjoy!

November Video

(YouTube)

Financial Planning Tip (s) –

Vaccines (Times 3 and Counting) are Coming

In a great way to start the week for the past three weeks, each Monday has sported a breakthrough Vaccine announcement, first it was Pfizer, then Moderna and most recently Astrazeneca … WOW what a great way to start the week(s).

Capital Market Comments

Muted Reaction to Vaccine

Many thought the markets would have roared more post trifecta Vaccine announcements above … under the surface many companies left for dead HAVE roared, and markets have edged higher, but as mentioned most recently earlier here at current levels markets are pricing in a lot of good news already and likely are well ahead of themselves.

Have a Great November Update!

Talk to you at the end of December!

John A. Kvale CFA, CFP

Founder of J.K. Financial, Inc.

A Dallas Texas based fee only

Financial Planning Total Wealth

Management firm.