Forefront’s Market Notes ­ Investor enthusiasm for stocks remained strong last week, buoyed by declining bond yields in a holiday-abbreviated trading week.   The Dow Jones Industrial Average picked up 1.27%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 gained 1.00%. The Nasdaq Composite index rose 0.89% for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed...Read More

Forefront’s Market Notes ­ Stocks extended their November rally last week as investors cheered lower-than-forecast inflation data.   The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.94%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 added 2.24%. The Nasdaq Composite index rose 2.37% for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, increased 3.36%.1,2,3  ...Read More

Forefront’s Market Notes ­ A powerful Friday rally left stocks higher last week, extending the market’s early November gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.65%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 advanced 1.31%. The Nasdaq Composite index jumped 2.37% higher for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, edged...Read More

Lessons in Investing, with Visuals   You will be far wealthier holding through the bull markets than you will ever lose by holding through the bear markets. You are your own worst enemy. Your behavior has far more to do with your investment success than your intelligence. Behavior is why most investors underperform. While thinking...Read More

Financial Planning and Self Care     Financial wellness is an essential aspect of our overall well-being, and it’s closely linked to our ability to manage stress, maintain good physical and mental health, and enjoy a balanced, fulfilled life. Just as self-care encompasses pillars to foster a holistic approach to well-being, achieving financial wellness can...Read More

Life Insurance Basics     Life insurance can be an incredible planning tool that reduces your family’s risk and protects them on your worst day. The biggest issue I find with clients is a lack of proper guidance when purchasing life insurance and people not understanding their needs, their options, and the most effective solution...Read More

Jargon of Estate Planning Explained   The jargon of a topic that you don’t know about is always intimidating and can often lead to people just avoiding the subject altogether.  Estate planning is already a morbid topic to have to discuss, but it is a necessary one. Add in the confused look most of the...Read More

Experiences Are Never a Waste of Money   My wife, Christina, and I took our kids to see the Broadway play Wicked this weekend. We went in early and strolled through the theatre district, letting the kids take in the sights and sounds of New York City all around them.   We go into the...Read More

The Plan Is the Product, Not the Portfolio   I hate comparing financial planning to losing weight, even though I lost 100 LBS using the principles I use when creating financial plans. I tracked all the food that I ate and created a program designed to allow me to eat healthy 95% of the time...Read More

Monkey Mind   Youth football season has started, so my son, AJ, has been at practice each night for the past two weeks. Yesterday was the football jamboree, where all our league teams came together and played twenty-minute scrimmages against each other. AJ’s position has changed this year, and he is working hard to be...Read More