Investments

The importance of basic building blocks of a solid financial plan

Jun07

Last week I met prospective clients who were interested in discussing retirement strategies and various types of investments. They told me that “now that things are getting back to normal, it’s time to start planning again”. Both were young professionals and had substantial savings. During an initial meeting I will review the overall financial situation and discuss goals both near- and long-term. Part of this meeting also involves me asking about various insurance coverages and legal documents (I never give legal

Mar02

Resilient: Capable of withstanding shock without permanent deformation or rupture; Tending to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change.From Merriam-Webster Yesterday my coach told me that her mantra for this month is “resilience”. She explained – in her training, there are days where it seems like all goes well, and others where for a multitude of reasons it may not. However, if she has a plan in place, she can adjust to absorb these “shocks” and continue with her

Jul07

In volatile times, remember your time horizon; follow facts not feelings; and, if needed, reposition gradually Within a matter of weeks, the spreading Coronavirus, tumbling oil prices, recession fears, alarming headlines, and a 10-year Treasury yield well under 1% have thrown a record-high S&P® 500 index into, at least, temporary turmoil. In many corners of the market, the bulls’ decade-long ebullience has been swiftly replaced by palpable panic. To borrow from Britain’s World War II motivational poster, now is the time for

May11

It is hard to image that in just 29 trading days between February 12 and March 23 the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped from a high of 29,551 to a startling 18,591. And yet it has rebounded to over 23,883 as of this writing. In that short time a little known virus, COVID-19 had become a household word, closings of businesses & schools became a new normal, and the wearing of masks as well as social distancing and staying at

Nov11

Almost 50 people joined the Marathon Financial Advisors Team for the State of the Economy Seminar on Tuesday, November 5th with Dr. Quincy Krosby at Drumlins Country Club. Dr. Krosby, whose impressive resume includes positions as a U.S. Diplomat, Assistant Secretary of Commerce and a representative of the United States to the International Monetary Fund, spoke eloquently about tariffs, negotiations with China, the effect of politics on the market, other global economies and the Santa Claus Rally.Here are some highlights

Feb07

We are now in the heart of tax season, and many of us have our taxes prepared by a Tax Accountant or CPA. In the same way we hire a plumber if we need a pipe unclogged, an attorney to write our wills and prepare other legal documents, an electrician for electrical work, and a mechanic to work on our cars. However, many balk at the idea of hiring a Financial Advisor to assist with investment planning or future money

Sep28

The Bipartisan Budget Act passed in early 2018 relaxed some of the rules governing hardship withdrawals from 401(k)s and similar plans. Not all plans offer hardship withdrawals, but the ones that do will be required to comply for plan years beginning in 2019. In order to take a hardship withdrawal from a 401(k) or similar plan, a plan participant must demonstrate an “immediate and heavy financial need,” as defined by the IRS. (For details, visit the IRS website and search for

Aug07

Marathon Financial Advisors cordially invites our clients to a special presentation demonstrating how to write your personal history and leave a local legacy. This free, 2 hour seminar, presented in collaboration with the Central New York Community Foundation, will take place on Tuesday, September 24 at 10 am at the Community Foundation office, 204 Walton Street, Syracuse. Led by Tom Griffith and Jennifer Owens of the Community Foundation, “Leaving A Legacy That Matters” focuses on the benefits of personal history writing.

Jul05

The increasing cost of healthcare is a concern for workers of all ages. Each year healthcare becomes more expensive, meaning a larger portion of retirement savings will be spent on health related costs. A health savings account, commonly referred to as an HSA, is a tax-advantaged account that can be used to pay for medical expenses now or in retirement. The account is FDIC-insured, and can be invested for greater returns. Who qualifies? To be eligible to establish a health savings account,

Apr17

Best practices for stock market declines With recent stock market declines, it’s easy to feel a sense of fear surrounding long-term investment strategies. American Funds has provided this helpful Keys for Market Declines PDF Document with 5 tips to help avoid common missteps and stay on track: Declines have been common and temporary: Declines are going to happen, but they will likely be temporary. Proper perspective can help you remain calm: Look at the larger picture, not the small details.