Finance
Small Business Owners Speak to Legislators about Lawsuit Abuse
This past March, small business owners from throughout California traveled to the State Capital to share their personal stories of lawsuit abuse with legislators who serve on both the Senate and Assembly Judiciary Committees. They took time from their busy schedules to help promote balance for California’s civil justice system. Their compelling accounts ranged from […]
Banking, Crisis and the FDIC Insurance Limits
In my 25 plus years working in investment management, it’s fortunately rare that I have to discuss the FDIC and bank account insurance limits with clients. Unfortunately, that has become a pretty common topic the past few weeks. The failure of Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank and Silvergate Bank all in the same week brought […]
The Ugly Math of Variable Annuities
When a new client recently asked me to review a variable annuity they had purchased ten years ago, I knew I had my work cut out for me. Variable annuity contracts can be complex documents, loaded with confusing provisions, definitions, and terms. Often, the most complex parts are the most fundamental: the calculations used to […]
Secure Act 2.0 Made Some Big Changes to Retirement Planning
At almost the last minute of 2022, President Biden signed the Secure Act 2.0. It made a lot of big and small changes to financial planning over the next few years. Here are some of the highlights that go into effect in 2023 and 2024. Changes to Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). Probably the biggest, […]
Looking Forward to a New Year
As 2022 winds down and we start thinking about how to work off the pecan pie and holiday celebrations, folks often naturally wonder what the new year has in store. For most of us, this feeling will be particularly acute as we open our brokerage statements in January. 2022 has been one for the record […]
Do You Use Venmo?
Earlier this year, I took a trip with some friends. We did some sightseeing, went to some fantastic restaurants, and overall had a great time together. As we travelled, it was easier for one of us to pick up the bill for dinner or the hotel than to split it on four credit cards or […]
It’s Open Enrollment Time for Medicare
Every year, those enrolled in Medicare can switch their insurance coverage. Whether you have Original Medicare with a Medicare Supplement (“Medigap”) and a prescription drug policy or Medicare Advantage, this is when you can review your policy and possibly make a change. This annual Open Enrollment period lasts from October 15 through December 7 each […]
2nd Annual Cocktails for a Cause
A Tribute to the Roaring 20’s The Positive Movement Foundation, a local non-profit committed to supporting and empowering underserved and at-risk children and youth backed by Dan Fulkerson, Channel 933’s Geena the Latina, Alex Soria Rojas, Hailey Waitt, Omid Sabet and Erick Diaz, is thrilled to announce their 2nd Annual Cocktails for a Cause: A Tribute […]
No on Measure ‘C’
By Lisa Mortensen Measure ‘C’ will be on the ballot in November. It will allow the lifting of the decades’ long height restriction in the Midway District. If this restriction is lifted, then City Hall has basically allowed for a wholesale lifting of all building regulations; allowing for-profit developers to build high rises extending downtown […]