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Financial Elements' Insights

Latest news, updates and helpful advice

Check here regularly for Brenda's thoughts and insights on a variety of topics related to personal finance and investments.
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A Timely Reminder on the Perils of Market Timing

It’s certainly understandable if the economic uncertainty unfolding in the daily news has left you wondering – or worrying – about what’s coming next. No matter how you feel about the U.S. entering into a trade war with China, it’s hard to deny that the prospect is currently causing considerable market turmoil.

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Good Advice

Information overload leads to confusion, bad choices, or no choices. Now more than ever, it's important to have trusted advisors that know you personally and can walk your journey with you.

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You, Your Financial Well-Being and the Federal Reserve

What does the rate change mean to your financial well-being? Is there anything you should “do” to your investment portfolio in response? We typically recommend you remain informed – but you act only on factors you can expect to manage within your personal investing. This is nearly always the case for economic events and other breaking news over which we have no control.

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8 Step Summer Financial Checkup

If you find yourself with a bit of extra time on your hands in the upcoming months, you may want to use this time to check in with your family’s finances.

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Liquidity

Are your investments liquid or illiquid? When a holding is liquid, it simply means you can sell it anytime the market in which it trades is open for business, without losing your proverbial shirt in the exchange. If it’s illiquid, you cannot sell it, at least not for anything near what it’s worth.

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What is Asset Allocation?

Asset allocation. It’s so ingrained in how we manage our clients’ investment portfolios, we talk about it all the time. But what is it? What are assets, and what happens when you allocate them?

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Blending Families’ Finances After Remarriage

Before combining two families to create a modern-day Brady Bunch, it’s important to think through all of the financial implications related to children and assets. Start your new family life on the right foot by tackling these difficult conversations early on.

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Financial Best Practices for the Year

Here are some financial best practices for the year ahead. Pick a few of them or take on the entire list. Either way, you’ll be that much further ahead by the time 2020 rolls around.

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6 Ways to Help Aging Parents With Money

It can be extremely hard for parents, particularly older generations, to ask for help. Many won’t say anything, suffering in silence and believing that asking for help is a sign of weakness.

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RIP John Bogle

Remembering John Bogle, the founder of Vanguard and creator of the first index fund.

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Attitude of Gratitude

Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some. Charles Dickens

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Diversification: The Antacid for Market Turbulence

Concerned about market volatility? It's unwelcome, but not unexpected. It's part of the risk we accept as equity investors. A balanced, well diversified portfolio helps to smooth out the ups and downs and adequate liquidity to meet your needs without selling stocks when they are down is a key to a successful plan.

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Diversifying Your Investment Portfolio

Portfolio diversification is a complex and often misunderstood subject. By learning the true definition of this investment approach, you can become a smarter investor with a greater potential for long-term financial gain.

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