Rick Brooks
Rick Brooks's Latest Posts
Home Sweet Rental
Lately, there have been a few homes in Mission Hills that have been listed on websites like VRBO.com, AirBNB, HomeAway and others. My family has used these websites to find great travel deals. But a recent article shared by one of my colleagues got me thinking: how do you insure something like that if you’re […]
Estate Planning Is More than Just a Will
Not too long ago, I wrote about the most basic estate-planning tool: your will. If you have children, or really anyone whom you wish to benefit at your death, your will is the most essential foundation for putting your affairs in order after you’re gone. However, “after you’re gone” isn’t the only scenario your estate […]
An Unlikely Valentine’s Gift: Sharing and Preparing
This is probably not going to sound all that romantic. I will even admit that my Valentine’s suggestion probably is a lot more practical than most people would normally consider. There’s no jewelry involved, though a box of See’s candies and a rose would round things out nicely. For many couples, especially those who have […]
Clearing Out Your Old 401(k)
When changing jobs or retiring, one important decision you will face is whether to roll over your employer’s retirement plan (401k, 403b, pension, SIMPLE or SEP IRA, etc.) to an IRA. Before you leave your employer, there are a couple of things you need to be aware of. Below are some questions to ask, and […]
President Trump. Now What?
Donald J. Trump will be the next President of the United States, and Republicans maintained control over the House of Representatives and the Senate. Since the election results became clear, equity markets have rallied sharply. As I write this, the U.S. stock market is up about 2.5 percent since the election, while the bond market […]
The Presidential Election and your Investments
Last night, I listened to a commentator call the election an existential moment: deciding the fate of our country and proclaiming that the wrong choice would be ruinous and a disaster. Let me be clear also that I’ve heard way too much of this kind of talk from both sides of the political spectrum. Politically, […]
Dog Bites and Homeowners’ Liability Insurance
On a recent weekend, some friends and I were walking our dogs in Mission Hills. A loose pit bull approached our group, charged and bit my dog. We chased it away and called animal control. Thankfully, my dog wasn’t seriously hurt, but it got me thinking about the responsibilities of owning a pet. Owning a […]
Variable Annuities
Lately, as we’ve been interviewing new clients, I’ve been seeing a lot more variable annuities in their portfolios. As should become pretty clear, I find this a disappointing reality. Let’s begin by understanding just what these things are. A variable annuity is an insurance product that essentially wraps traditional mutual funds inside a contract. The […]
Your Will: The Most Basic Estate Planning Tool
According to an April 2016 article in USA Today, a recent survey found that 64 percent of adult Americans do not have a will. In 2007, a similar study found that young parents with minor children were the least likely to have taken this important step. While few young adults expect to die early, it […]
Investing 101: Six Things That Really Matter
John Oliver recently did a spot on his HBO show “Last Week Tonight” which highlighted the high fees paid by investors in 401(k) plans. As entertaining as his show was, it got me thinking about the things that are really important for investors to understand. Never invest money you can’t afford to lose. If you […]
