END OF THE YEAR FINANCIAL CHECK-UP

Posted by Kat Schraeder, CFP®
On November 19, 2020

With all of the changes occurring this year, an often-overlooked area that may need rejuvenation is your financial health. The end of the year is the perfect time to reevaluate your financial situation and ensure you have all of your major financial bases covered to start the new year off right. The checklist below will […]

OVERCOMING THE ‘INVESTING GAP’ FOR WOMEN

Posted by RAA
On November 9, 2020

Take a moment and think of the women in your life. Yourself? Your mother? Your sister? Your partner or wife? And if you were to ask each how they feel about investing, what do you think they’d say? We came across some eye-opening statistics: According to a 2018 Fidelity survey, only 29% of women view themselves […]

7 REASONS YOU SHOULD NEVER BORROW FROM YOUR 401(k)

Posted by Patrick Fisk, CFP®
On October 26, 2020

Most people are worried about money right now, and millions are having trouble paying their bills. Even if you still have your job, it’s possible your partner or spouse does not. When cash is short, it’s tempting to make a beeline to the savings in your 401(k), but I would strongly recommend against it. I’ve […]

3 Ways to Protect Your Retirement Savings & Pay Yourself

Posted by Gary Krasnov, AIF®, CLTC®
On September 29, 2020

Once you retire, how do you protect your portfolio so that it preserves principal and generates adequate income? While challenging, it helps to think of retirement as the time in life when you are going to be paying yourself. Yes, paying yourself, but with a small caveat.

FIDELITY BROKERAGELINK®: PROFESSIONAL MANAGEMENT IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR YOUR FEDEX 401(K)

Posted by Michael Kane, CFP®
On February 21, 2019

As a FedEx pilot, you are now able to view and manage your Pilots Retirement Savings Plan (PRSP) at Fidelity. You also now have access to professional investment management for your PRSP/401(k) account through Fidelity BrokerageLink® (BL). WHAT IS BROKERAGELINK®? The PRSP is a critical piece of your retirement plan, and it’s essential for your […]

MARKET HEADLINES ARE NOT A FINANCIAL PLAN

Posted by Fred Kneib, AIF®
On July 23, 2018

A recent study by Dalbar showed that during the 20-year period ending in 2017, the S&P 500 index averaged a 7.20% annual return while the average equity fund investor captured 5.29% over the same time period1. In the investment world, this 1.91% difference between investment returns and investor returns is called the “behavior gap.” Understandably, […]

DO-IT-YOURSELF INVESTORS UNDERPERFORM

Posted by Brad Bridgewater
On October 29, 2017

According to Dalbar, Inc., a Boston-based market research firm, the average equity investor severely underperformed the S&P 500 index for the 20-year period ending December 31, 2013. Retail investors achieved an average annual return of 5.02% for that 20-year period, compared to 9.22% for the S&P 500. Financial columnist Howard Gold states that retail investors […]

FACTORS THAT AFFECT YOUR RISK TOLERANCE

Posted by Brad Bridgewater
On May 12, 2017

Investing at any stage of life involves some inherent risk. At RAA, we strive to help our clients understand their tolerance for risk and ways to address it effectively in a sustainable, long-term investment and retirement strategy. There are several factors that affect your comfort level with risk, and these should inform the composition of your portfolio […]

PAYING OFF DEBT VERSUS INVESTING

Posted by Brad Bridgewater
On February 17, 2017

A common question faced by many of our clients at this time of year is whether it is better to take lump sums such as tax refunds and bonuses to pay off debt or invest for the future. The answer depends on your individual circumstances, but the following are some considerations that can help you […]

THREE SMALL CHANGES TO MAKE YOU A BETTER INVESTOR

Posted by Brad Bridgewater
On January 20, 2017

There was a time when making wise investment decisions was a much less complicated process. You stashed away some money in your 401(k) and maybe invested in CDs or savings bonds that offered modest but consistent returns. But modern financial markets and the nearly limitless choices they offer have made investing more complex and raised […]