Category: Investing
Stock Market vs. Economy
Between a double-digit unemployment rate, sputtering economic activity, and a pandemic that has now taken the lives of more than 120,000 people in the United States, there was plenty to be worried about as equity markets plummeted in the month of March. And after the S&P 500 declined by more than 30% from its February…
Speculating During the Pandemic
At a time when casinos around the country are temporarily closed due to COVID-19, Americans have found a new avenue for wagering: short-term trading in the stock market. In addition to stay at home orders, there have also been technological improvements that enable anytime access to trading platforms, as well as a meaningful reduction in…
Survivorship Planning Checklist
In many families, one partner takes a more active role in handling the finances than the other. Often, this division of labor stems from fear, time pressure or lack of interest. Regardless of the root cause, having one spouse exclusively handling family finances can put the other partner in a difficult position in a time…
Planning for Retirement in the COVID-19 Age
This article was originally published within the Savannah Morning News, found HERE. Major economic events give us a compelling reason to revisit our retirement plans, evaluate household spending and take a hard look at our long-term goals. So, with the Coronavirus shaking up the marketplace and creating uncertainty in both the job and stock markets, how…
Planning Amid Uncertainty
In times of heightened volatility and uncertainty, it’s helpful to revisit the fundamental question of why we plan and invest in the first place. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold, we will continue to see significant and wide-ranging implications on many aspects of our daily lives, businesses, and communities. The financial markets, too, have…
Traditional vs. Roth IRA: Which Option is Best for You?
You’ve been working hard and earning income for years, hopefully saving a portion of your earnings for retirement. With most pensions having gone away, retirement savings accounts like an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) are going to be your safeguard or reserve to generate retirement income. The type you choose — whether a Traditional IRA or a…
Understanding the Benefits and Risks of Bonds
Especially in times of significant stock market volatility, bonds have an important place in a balanced investment portfolio. The income that bonds generate coupled with their relatively low-price volatility can help mitigate overall portfolio risk. Unlike stocks, which provide equity interest in a business, bonds are a form of debt in which the investor serves…
Navigating Uncertainty and Volatility
We’re currently in the midst of a period of heightened uncertainty, volatility, and panic due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. Clients are justifiably worried. The stock market has been volatile. Our daily lives have come to a screeching halt. Vacations, sporting events, and concerts have been cancelled. There are plenty of reasons to be concerned…
The Beginnings of The Fiduciary Group: 1970 – 2000
The beginning of The Fiduciary Group dates back to the summer of 1969. I was the Vice President and manager of the trust department of a major Savannah bank. Banking was in turmoil in 1969, including my employer. Under the management at the time, the bank was overextended. It had too many bad loans and…
Understanding SECURE Act Changes
Each new calendar year brings about changes in our savings and retirement planning efforts, and 2020 is no exception. With the December 2019 signing of the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act, Congress set out “to make significant progress in fixing our nation’s retirement crisis and helping workers of all ages save…