Harry Markowitz brought us Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT) in the 1950s and this model became the standard used by Wall Street and DC regulators. Even today, nearly three quarters of a century later, you see MPT everywhere. What’s the problem? It’s beautifully precise, but still not accurate.

Death is not the opposite of life, but a part of life. And still, this topic is very taboo. Being financial planners, factoring in your ultimate death is always part of our work, but it can still be difficult to address. As a death positive financial planning firm, it’s our promise to meet you where you, actively listening while being open, honest and empathetic.

We understand that planning for your financial future can seem overwhelming. But having a solid financial plan can make a world of difference. Here are five ways financial planning can help you achieve your goals and bring peace of mind.

To be in a bear market means we’ve had a 20% drop in the market from the most recent high. Though it may not seem like it, bear markets happen all the time and one was frequently indicated due to the economic cycle and market valuations.

Bear markets are part of the market lifecycle. Learn more about the history, implications and what to do as an investor.

A DIY Sabbatical as a planned break from work with full intentions to return after 1 month to a year, or more. These are often opportunities to focus on health and/or life experiences. While a year is not uncommon, it does require more planning to maintain financial and career goals

Are you worried about how the current economic climate will affect your retirement planning? We’re hearing more and more that Gen X and younger need to save more to retire comfortably. And while the market is unpredictable, focusing on long-term planning is more important than short-term market movements.

Taxes have become the #1 issue clients want managed. One big, missed opportunity I see is not deducting medical expenses when they can. In recent years, fewer Americans have claimed medical deductions compared to mortgage interest and charitable donations. This blog shares some key medical deductions you should consider.

As the second post of a two-part series on life insurance, we discuss term life insurance—the amount of coverage you should consider and other pitfalls to avoid. See previous post for more information.

Life insurance is an important part of any financial plan, but buyers should beware. This is part one of a two-part series on the topic where we discuss the different types of life insurance – ones you should supplement (like that from your employer) and ones to avoid altogether. Part two will cover specifics about the amount, the process, and some resources.

Jack Bogle, the founder of Vanguard Group, gave retail investors a big advantage by offering inexpensive index funds from a company that uses its profits to reduce investor fees. Vanguard helped lower fees for everyone, not just Vanguard investors, by creating quality, low-cost mutual fund products with which other firms had to compete. Vanguards impact continues to be enormous, and it has a very devoted community of followers called “Bogleheads”. 

Lifetime Financial is a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) and we see a lot of consumer confusion regarding what a “fiduciary” is. Learn about its origins and the regulatory missteps that has made the public more vulnerable to bad actors.

The 2019 SECURE act and its follow-up, SECURE 2.0, are the largest changes to the U.S. retirement system since the late 1990s. I reviewed both bills and compiled 57 notable retirement changes in the bills, all ranging from small to moderate in scope. Nothing addresses the inherent flaws in the system that go back to the 1970s when our modern retirement system transitioned dramatically. Social Security and troubled employer managed pensions needed bailouts and reform and seemed unprepared to support America’s retirement.

At Lifetime Financial, we spend a lot of time Life Planning. We use a series of exercises that encourage clients to spend their time and money on the things that bring them the most fulfillment and flourishing. Travel is high (often number 1) on our fulfillment lists, including mine. For most of my life I have thought of it as a core value that has moral goodness. Was I right about that?

In 2022, the Biden administration announced $36 billion in COVID-19 money would go to Teamster union pensions in the Midwest and Texas. Pension funds are troubled and need fixing. Wall Street, bad regulations, short-term thinking, and mismanagement play a big role. But let’s not assume it’s easy to run a pension. Pensions have the same huge issue you do with your own retirement plan. It’s the number one worry of my clients and the primary reason people seek a financial planner.