Blog - PS Wealth

behavioral finance

Do You Need a Financial Therapist?

David Hemler, CFP® Hmmm. Good question. And the answer is…it depends. While most of us don’t need to consult a financial therapist, many of us do have some behavioral finance issues or money biases that affect how we enjoy our financial prosperity. Sound about right? Don’t worry; you’re not alone. As humans, we possess many characteristics that both enlighten and impact our lives. We inherit our physical characteristics, while many of our mental or emotional characteristics we pick up from our environment and upbringing. My money behaviors may have roots established when I was very young. One aspect of behavioral finance is to explore our financial views and behavior to try and understand what makes us tick, financially speaking. You may be wondering, “Does it matter?” Maybe, or maybe not.

P&S June 29, 2017

bond funds

Three Reasons Not to Ditch Your Bond Fund

Deborah Williams, CFP® If you are retired, or plan to retire within the next few years, a portion of your portfolio may be allocated to fixed income. With the yield curve sitting flat for so long, you may contemplate ditching your bonds for greener pastures. It’s not easy staying committed when the headlines have been so glum and interest rates are expected to rise. However, bond funds can be critical to the long-term success of many retirement plans and here’s why I advise my clients to keep an appropriate allocation to fixed income.

P&S May 8, 2017

529 college savings plan

What to Ask Before the College Tour

Aaron Puckett, MBA, CFP® Recently, one of my clients said, “You can only be as happy as your least happy child.” While I’m not certain that I completely agree, the point that she was making certainly hits home. For those of us with children, our hearts are bound to them and we desire very strongly for their happiness and well-being. When your child enters their junior year of high school, and you begin the journey of selecting a college or university for them to attend, don’t underestimate the influence of your heart. Why? Because no matter how much you’ve planned ahead and saved in a 529 college plan or elsewhere, at the end of the day your desire for your child to be happy will often undermine your ability to select the college that offers the most value for them over the long-term.

P&S April 17, 2017

bull market

Why is the Market Still So Hot?

Jacob Sturgill, CFP® The market is red hot and, if it continues, will end up being the longest bull market in history. Currently, we are in second place after a record level was reached by the S&P 500 index last July. The bull market to beat was 3,452 days long and ended in 2000. So what is really fueling the market? Pre and post-election optimism? Trump’s policy reform? Low interest rates? Our answer is three part…a plow horse economy, Trump trade, and fixed income experiencing the worst quarter in over 15 years at the end of 2016.

P&S March 9, 2017

2017 taxes

Tax Smart in 2017

Use our new infographic when meeting with your tax advisor or CPA to help you seek overall tax efficiency and make informed financial decisions in 2017.

P&S February 22, 2017

choosing a financial advisor

Before You Decide…Know This

Deborah Williams, CFP® Decisions, decisions, decisions. Every day we have to make them. The super significant ones… like who we marry, where we work and live, and what we do with our money… are not always easy. Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to see into the future before having to decide? Unfortunately, we don’t have this ability. If you are facing a super significant financial decision in the near future, I’d like to share an insider’s perspective regarding what you should know.

P&S January 27, 2017

2017

5 Realities You Don’t Want to Face in 2017

David Hemler, CFP® Another year is quickly coming to a close and with it the opportunity to tackle some financial tasks you may be pretending do not need your immediate attention or you may be ignoring all together. While the New Year signifies the opportune time to tackle the things we don’t want to face, I challenge you NOT to wait. Seize the day so you aren’t faced with any of these realities in 2017, which are often the byproduct of denial and procrastination.

P&S November 30, 2016

Aaron Puckett

Invest without Compromising Your Values

Have you ever wondered what happens with the money you invest? Have you contemplated, on the deepest level, “Who is utilizing my investment and what are they doing to pursue an expected rate of return?” Sure, you’ve likely considered the risk and potential rates of return with each investment decision, but have you considered that the underlying investments could be of greater importance to you than anything else? If words like Abortion, Pollution, Fracking, Tobacco, or Weapons evoke strong emotions in you then hear this: You have a choice!

P&S October 31, 2016

Aaron Puckett

Giving as an Investment

Aaron M. Puckett, MBA, CFP® When it comes to our money, we are emotional beings. No matter what we do with our hard earned dollars, whether we decide to save them, spend them, invest them or give them away, each decision is often layered with feelings and emotion.

admin September 14, 2016

The Evolving Gender Gap

Deborah A Williams, CFP® Last week, for the first time in American history, a woman was nominated by a major party for the presidential election. Regardless of personal political views, we as a society have waited a long time to reach this equality milestone since allowing women the right to vote in 1920. I think we can agree that one’s gender has an impact on one’s circumstances, either as a result of nature or, unfortunately in some situations, as a result of gender inequality. As a financial advisor and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner, it is important that we consider the unique gender circumstances facing women, so we can adequately help them plan for the future.

admin August 9, 2016