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You Don’t Need to Be a Millionaire to Take Advantage of These Charitable Giving Strategies

The reality is most people don’t have millions or billions to give away. However, they are still charitably inclined and seeking to make a difference by helping others in whatever capacity that they can. Some may not be aware they can accomplish this, while at the very same time, optimizing their own financial situation. Here are three strategies that can benefit charitably minded people across all economic tiers.

 

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Don’t Let ‘Media Forecasting’ Influence Your Investment Decisions

Would you be surprised to learn that the costliest investment mistakes are often made as a result of our emotions? You see, the reasons for markets going down are always different, but the emotions we have as investors are always the same. Fear, panic, and an inclination to protect against loss tend to take the lead when prices dip. There is little else that can worry us more than our money, so it’s only natural to feel this way. We begin asking questions like:

When will the declines stop?, Is there anything I can do to protect against loss?, How will this affect my near and long-term financial plans?

 

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An Introduction to Alternative Investments-Part II

Part II – Is the 60/20/20 Portfolio the New 60/40 Portfolio?


Understanding the Types of Alternative Asset Classes

The universe of alternative investments is constantly expanding, with choices ranging from private equity funds to real estate to hedge funds, employing complex hedging strategies using options, derivatives, and futures contracts. Here are some of the more popular alternative investments used by investors in an attempt to enhance returns, minimize volatility, or do both.

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An Introduction to Alternative Investments

In turning to an alternative investment strategy, it’s essential to understand that it works best if it is tailored to the investor’s personal circumstances. It’s also critical to understand that investment in some of these assets should be made with consideration for an investor’s tax bracket, cash flow needs, risk tolerance, and time horizon requirements.

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New and Pre-Retirees Strategies to Secure a Loan

You might not have any plans to borrow money once you reach retirement, but circumstances can change. You might need extra funds to cover a major home repair or medical crisis. You might discover a new activity to pursue, such as starting a business or helping a family member with an opportunity. Or, you may want to refinance or purchase a second home. The challenge for retirees is that it can be much more nuanced and problematic to secure a loan once you have left the workforce and no longer have a steady stream of income.

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The Evolution of Real Estate Investing for Individual Investors

Including asset classes in a portfolio that have low correlations to stocks is a great way to reduce portfolio volatility. Unfortunately, most traditional assets such as various equity segments, lower quality bonds, and even public real estate are more closely correlated with stocks than most people think. 

Private nontraded real estate funds have historically low correlations to both stocks and fixed income while providing exposure to the third-largest asset class after stocks and bonds, commercial real estate. Historically, commercial real estate has been one of the primary ways large institutional investors have diversified their portfolios. Now these alternative investments are becoming more widely available to retail investors.

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Buy-Sell Agreements: A Must-Have in Succession Planning for Family-Owned Businesses

Family-owned businesses are often formed with the intent of passing ownership of the company to the next generation and beyond. However, the evolution of the family structure in today’s society could present some challenges for owners who want to ensure those who follow, share the same family values and business ambitions. As family units become more splintered through second and third marriages or children with different interests or values, it’s less certain that the business will end up in the right hands. 

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5 Investing Blunders We See Investors Make

In the words of Ben Graham, arguably one of the most successful investors of all time, "The investor's chief problem – even his worst enemy – is likely to be himself." As Graham and decades of research have uncovered, most investors fall victim to their own emotional and irrational behavior based largely on the short-term outcomes of their investment decisions. The failure to adhere to a long-term strategy steeped in sound principles and practices results in a haphazard approach to investing that invariably leads to costly mistakes. 

Here are the most common blunders we often see investors make.

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The Three Most Pressing Fears in Retirement

The most significant fear most people have as they plan for their retirement is outliving their income. Though seven in ten workers say they have confidence in the planning they’ve done to live comfortably in retirement, many may not be prepared for certain risks that could threaten their lifetime income sufficiency.

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INHERITANCE VS. GIFTING: WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO SHARE YOUR WEALTH GIVEN THE CURRENT TAX CLIMATE?

From their first steps to their first apartment, you’ve been there to support your children through life’s many ups and downs. Naturally, you have and always will want what is best for them. Sharing your wealth with them once you are gone, then, will be no different.

Traditionally, parents plan to share their wealth by leaving their children an inheritance. That is, assets are bequeathed and shared after the parents’ passing. But, should an inheritance strictly be just that? What if you could enjoy seeing your children receive and utilize parts of their inheritance while you are still alive? Read the full article...