Options for Unspent 529 Plan Funds
As spring graduation dates rapidly approach and graduates head off to college in the coming months, it is an opportune time to review the 529 college savings plan .....
Is it Time to be Fearful?
As investment (and behavioral) managers we often talk about not letting emotions dictate our clients’ investment decisions. Emotions often lead investors to either ....
The Reality of Market Predictions
This summer several clients brought up recent headlines touting hedge fund manager Michael Burry’s latest market prediction and subsequent bet on a U.S. stock market crash. Michael Burry is widely known as a hedge fund manager .....
The Right Career Move
Whether actively sought or just a passing moment of frustration, almost everyone has thought about whether to look for a new job. Millions of Americans participated in the Great Resignation...
Fastening Our Seatbelts for 2022!
Last October, I wrote about the need to be prepared for typical fourth quarter volatility. Well, it looks like it was postponed until 2022 and all crammed into January.
It's a Most Wonderful Time to Invest by Nate Eads, CFP®
(to the tune of “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”) It's a most wonderful time to invest, Stock prices have fallen, Should I go all in, or continue to divest?
What is an RMD and Do I Need One?
As we approach the end of the year, many investors might be needing to take a required minimum distribution (RMD) from a retirement account, either one that they own...
Inflation, Recession, War...Oh, My! by Jack Moller, CFP®
“It’s the Economy Stupid!” (credited to Bill Clinton’s campaign manager James Carville in the 1992 presidential race) After several crazy years with the focus on Covid...
Capitalization-Weighted Versus Fundamental Indexing by Brian Fritzsche, CFP®, CFA, CRPC®
A key tenet of Moller Financial Services’ investment philosophy is to utilize index funds to get low-cost exposure to the various asset classes that make up an investment...
Paradigm Shifts by Jack Moller, CFP®
I’ve been thinking about the concept of paradigm shifts and also trend changes. It seems important to consider these topics in the world today when so much disruption...
Closing Bells (to the tune of Jingle Bells)
Past year no major falls The market’s on the rise Despite the bears’ crash calls It reached 66 new highs Inflation, will it last? Only time will tell How hard it is to make...
A Few Thoughts as We Enter the Last Quarter of 2021 by Jack Moller, CFP®
As we have entered this traditionally most volatile time of the year for markets, I wanted to share a few thoughts that I think are important to keep in mind and to help us maintain our peace of mind if market swings get “uncomfortable”.
What Are TIPS and Where Do They Fit in a Portfolio? by Brian Fritzsche, CFP®, CFA, CRPC®
As headlines concerning inflation seem to be swirling in the news, investors may wonder if there is any way to protect against the risk of higher-than-average inflation.
Is Now the Time to Get Greedy? by Nate Eads, CFP®
I started my career in May of 1996, which puts me 25 years into a career that I had no plans for coming out of college. After graduating in December 1995, my “career” aspirations were to head out to the mountains of Colorado and make a living skiing with my good friend Mike.
What Do I Think About This Market?
People often ask me this question. The short answer is that I have great confidence that the market will head higher over the long term. In the short term, I really have...
Positioned for Regime Change - Staying Truly Diversified
The plain and simple fact is that while stocks do go up over time, relative performances of different asset classes tend to go in cycles. These cycles are often impacted...
White Christmas 2020
I’m dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the ones I used to know, where businesses are thriving, when customers start arriving, and the economy is back on track...
So Many Topics - What to Choose
There really is so much going on to write about during this unprecedented year of the pandemic. As I write this column, we have just (mostly) finished one of the most acrimonious elections in history...
Bill Moller – 1927-2020 RIP
With a combination of sadness and gratitude, I’m writing this month with the news that my father Bill Moller passed away peacefully a few weeks ago after a short illness. He was not only my dad but also my partner and co-founder in starting this business as well as being my market mentor.
(Relative) Bargains Everywhere!
Last month I wrote about the three previous, what I called, “panic markets” in order to give perspective and remind ourselves that these severe drops do end, and eventually lead higher to new all-time highs.
Roth Conversions in Bear Markets
Named after Senator William Roth, the Roth IRA is a unique type of individual retirement arrangement (IRA) that was introduced by the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997.
My Fourth "Panic Market"
During this coronavirus-induced market crash, the stock market has fallen nearly 30% from its mid-February all-time high. At some point the marking down will cease and those who have been able to take advantage of the lower prices will be happy to have done so.
Why Should We Diversify?
After a year in which the S&P 500 rose over 30% and U.S. stocks continued to outperform their international counterparts, it can be tempting to focus on the best...
Who’s To Know, Who’s To Know, Who’s To Know?
Oh the weather outside is frightful But US stocks have been delightful Will the market continue to grow? Oh the weather outside is frightful...
The Upside Down World of Investing
We Are Certainly Living in Interesting Times in the Markets! Last month I wrote about the plethora of bonds in the world yielding less than zero. In other words, lenders are actually paying borrowers to borrow money
Ever Changing Narratives
It has been interesting to step back during the Covid-19 crisis and take a look at the various themes, or narratives, being promulgated by the popular, as well as the financial, press.
Stick With Your Plan (To the tune of “Up on the Housetop”)
Tax reform enacted, to start the year January markets kicked to high gear February came and stocks quickly fell What to do now, should we buy or sell? Ho, Ho, Ho!
T’was the Night Before Christmas (2011 Version)
Twas the night before Christmas, a time full of cheer As I started to reflect, on the events of past year It has been a bumpy ride, in the markets and news Bombarded...
When the Dollar Cracks
Weakening U.S. Dollar Might Signal Shifting Winds The U.S. dollar has been quite strong since the high in U.S. stocks set in January of 2018. As the markets are approaching new highs...
