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!
Last Friday, rhetoric erupted once again concerning Tariffs and Trade Wars…. For some, present parties included, it seems like this is the first time we have experienced this type of talk.
Our friends from Visual Capitalist are here to rescue our memories and remind us all, this is far from the first Rodeo on Tariffs…. it’s actually been going on for 100’s of years…. note the interesting progress (lowered trading costs over time!)
For those wanting a detailed analysis Scott Grannis chimes in and does a great job explaining in great detail…
Here is your chart:
Have a Great “Trade Wars History Perspective” Day!
The Hissy fit that Capital Markets threw in late 2018 were puzzling, if not weird, at best.
Oddly, there are more times than not puzzling or strange market movement that the so called “Pundits” can reason why things occur, but really “Only the Shadow Knows!”
The recent market movement, although very small in context, makes sense.
Smart Market?
Over the weekend, it appears that talks broke down on the China trade deals, and Tariff threats have made the headlines again…
This is fast news and can change in a nano-second, so knee jerk reactions are NOT needed or worthy!
This time, the market pause makes sense as increased concerns over the Tariff talks may cause slow downs in certain areas…
Here is a very short term chart that speaks to what makes some sense AT THE MOMENT!
Will it turn into something more? Maybe, or Maybe not, but it does make some sense, IN THE VERY SHORT TERM!
Longer term, just a speed bump in the Parking Lot of Investing!
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!
In our updated post here, we discuss a few handy items to grab and remember when you retire or change jobs.
Here are the bullets-
Last Pay Check
RSU-Options
Employee Stock Purchase
Deferred Comp
Pension
Health Coverage
Long Term Health Coverage
401k
New 401k
Severance
Social Security Withholding
Institutional Trustee
This post has turned into a full article in the coming Newsletter due to the great response and continued questions and ideas that were brought up-
Possible reasons for an IRON CLAD Institutional Trustee
No other comfortable option – Many times a friend/family member is preferred
Want an iron clad back up
Calming possible family feuds
Long lasting legacy desired
Desired attention to details such as monthly distributions, bill payments etc.
Choose Beneficiaries Carefully
In this post, just earlier in the week, born from an in field experience – multiple questions in the office after – and the subject making its way into the Newsletter as well… just a great additional article to the Trust!
The most important item to remember in choosing a designated beneficiary on and account is it will over-rule your Will – choose carefully and review occasionally for safety of desired outcomes.
The Brain Shines at West Coast Event
Capital Market Comments –
Good News – Recovery without a Re-test – So far
Nothing to change from the prior month!
What a different a month makes – WOW! We literally have gone from the sky is falling to sunshine!
In our summary post in December, we mentioned that fast moving slumps, such as the one we had, frequently do not last long….
Here, earlier in the month we also mentioned that we fully expected some type of retest of those lows before we gained our footing.
We still do expect some type of re-test, but as of this date we have had the following positives that have added to the markets better mood:
Federal Reserve (FOMC) have turned very cautious about raising rates further (We are happily surprised at their yielding, and even more surprised at market participants joy)
Tariff talks are making progress – Interestingly, China has seen a slow down in their economy making for slightly more urgent talks – with a little compromise and statesmanship a resolve looks more likely – again a positive for capital markets.
Earnings are still cranking along – For the prior 4-6 quarters, earnings were red hot and hitting on all cylinders, so hot, they were not sustainable. Companies are still reporting good earnings, just not the Red Hot, overheated earnings from prior quarters – this is good news as it avails the FOMC to not have to raise rates to slow the economy –
All in all a Win- Win!
Have a Great Day – Talk to you at the end of March!
Hello and Welcome to our January 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!
January – 2019 Video
Financial Planning Tip (s) –
Get and Earlier than normal start on those Taxes
Here in this post, we remind everyone that due to the new tax laws, it will be a good idea to get your tax information to your professional as soon as possible.
If your using tax software, be sure to do the recommended updates as we feel certain there will be necessary updates to the tables along the way.
Corrected 1099’s are the usual, with only a few last year, we will give everyone the green light once we get our first round of corrected tax forms – but again go ahead and get started with your taxes!
Stunning Findings about your old employer 401k
We had long suspected as much, but in this post we review a Cerulli study that interviewed over 800 401k providers, only to find out that less than 30% really want your funds once you leave.
We have experienced less than stellar service over the years with former employees 401k plans – leading to our long suspicion of these findings.
Make Pension Changes/Decisions Carefully
While our favorite commencement benefit for pensions (100% jt survivor) is fairly straight forward, the simplicity ends there.
In this post, we review recent trends in buy outs and what to watch for, as well as the many scenarios we have experienced that are not always in our best interest.
Capital Market Comments –
Good News – Recovery without a Re-test – So far
What a different a month makes – WOW! We literally have gone from the sky is falling to sunshine!
In our summary post in December, we mentioned that fast moving slumps, such as the one we had, frequently do not last long….
Here, earlier in the month we also mentioned that we fully expected some type of retest of those lows before we gained our footing.
We still do expect some type of re-test, but as of this date we have had the following positives that have added to the markets better mood:
Federal Reserve (FOMC) have turned very cautious about raising rates further (We are happily surprised at their yielding, and even more surprised at market participants joy)
Tariff talks are making progress – Interestingly, China has seen a slow down in their economy making for slightly more urgent talks – with a little compromise and statesmanship a resolve looks more likely – again a positive for capital markets.
Earnings are still cranking along – For the prior 4-6 quarters, earnings were red hot and hitting on all cylinders, so hot, they were not sustainable. Companies are still reporting good earnings, just not the Red Hot, overheated earnings from prior quarters – this is good news as it avails the FOMC to not have to raise rates to slow the economy –
All in all a Win- Win!
Have a Great Day – Talk to you at the end of February!
Over the past 30 years, much of what we learned are what opinions to trust, which views to listen to, and more importantly, who to tune out.
Scott Grannis, former chief economist for a large financial company and currently retired with no intention of returning to work (NO BIASES!) is one of our favorite reads. Here is a very small portion, but a favorite on the Tariff wars from Scott and his Blog “Calafia Beach Pundit” – he lives in CA currently.
“In the past 12 months, the US has imported about $525 billion of Chinese goods, while at the same time exporting to China only $135 billion. China is selling almost four times more “stuff” to us than we are selling to them. So, the thinking goes, if both countries jack up tariff rates to prohibitive levels, the Chinese have much more to lose than we do, particularly since our economy is still half again as big as China’s. At some point the Chinese will wave the white flag, we’ll all agree to reduce or eliminate tariffs and intellectual property right theft, and sweetness and light will return to international trade relations.
We can’t rule out a successful end to today’s tariff wars, but neither can we be confident that they will inexorably lead to a repeat of the Smoot-Hawley tariff wars which in turn led to the Great Recession. I continue to believe that tariffs are so universally understood to be bad and even stupid that eventually our leaders will do the right thing and make trade freer and fairer. Why bet against what would be a win-win for all parties? (Zero tariffs are an economist’s dream, since by facilitating free trade they would be a boon to all countries.)”
Trade Wars History – This is not our First Time
Follow his comments up with an excellent updated chart on the subject matter from our friends at Visual Capitalist, and we will let you formulate your own opinion – an opinion that is likely more updated than before reading this post!
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