February was a month of two halves. Hawkish central banks, high inflation and a strong U.S. jobs report dominated the first half of the month. However, the Russia/Ukraine situation has taken over the narrative for the second half of the month and has carried over into March. Our hearts and prayers go out to the people of Ukraine. Here are 3 things you need to know: Real gross domestic product...
By: Michael Allbee, CFP®, Senior Portfolio Manager Late last year we gave you some tips on how to profit from inflation by investing in Series I savings bonds (I-Bonds). You can buy up to $10,000 per person per year directly from Treasury Direct. But you can also fight inflation by buying an additional $5,000 in paper I-Bonds with your income-tax refund. You can ask to receive all or part of...
Please join us in welcoming Crystal Kessler, CFP® to Benefit Financial Services Group. Crystal joins BFSG as a Wealth Manager / Financial Planner. She will be working with clients to help them realize their short and long-term goals by delivering personalized financial plans and retirement analysis. Previously, she worked as a Wealth Advisor for a Registered Investment Advisor in San Diego, CA....
By: Thomas Steffanci, PhD, Senior Portfolio Manager Let’s cut through the ongoing cross currents of Wall Street and other pundits’ chatter about supply chains, the pandemic, the Federal Reserve (the “Fed”), and market volatility to concentrate on the proven drivers of stock market investing. History attests to the maxim that if you don’t expect a recession nearby, stay invested in stocks. That...
By: Robert Verdugo, CMFC®, APMA®, Financial Analyst What a difference a year makes. Last spring, you couldn’t avoid the topic SPACs (Special Purpose Acquisition Companies) in any financial publication you laid your eyes on. Now the SPAC conversation is still prevalent, but for opposite reasons. Investor sentiment has dissipated dramatically in recent months as the prospect of higher inflation...
It's difficult to imagine functioning in today's world without credit. Whether buying a car or purchasing a home, credit has become an integral part of our everyday lives. Having easy access to credit goes hand in hand with having a good credit score, so it's important to know how to maintain a positive credit score and credit history. The importance of having a good credit score Your credit...
The IRS announced that the starting date for when it would accept and process 2021 tax-year returns was Monday, January 24, 2022. Tips for making filing easier To speed refunds and help with tax filing, the IRS suggests the following: Make sure you have received Form W-2 and other earnings information, such as Form 1099, from employers and payers. The dates for furnishing such information to...
This white paper discusses tax planning from a federal estate and gift tax perspective for 2022 and many of the techniques discussed could reduce your overall income tax burden. * In the white paper we discuss: Making gifts to children and grandchildren while incurring little or no gift tax;Avoiding gift tax reporting by making direct tuition payments for any individual;Excluding from gift taxes...
Fed predictions, Omicron, geopolitical tensions, oh my! This year’s stock market weakness culminated with some of the sharpest intraday swings since the start of the pandemic. However, the stock market is forward looking, and investors may have already priced in this information. Here are 3 things you need to know: A sell-off among leading tech stocks contributed to a 9% decline for the Nasdaq...
By: Paul Horn, CFP®, CPWA®, Senior Financial Planner We have all heard the break-up line, “It’s not you, it’s me”. But as we all know, not all financial advisors are created equal and sometimes it is them. Breaking up is never fun, but sometimes it’s necessary. Here are ten reasons to switch your financial advisor: 1. Lack of communication Many advisors can get complacent, and over time...
By: Paul Horn, CFP®, CPWA®, Senior Financial Planner At one point in my professional career, I sold insurance policies. I always joked that though I was raised a gentleman, I had to ask women the two things you are never supposed to ask, “How old are you?” and “What is your weight?” Luckily, we do not sell insurance at BFSG, which has saved me from having more of these awkward...
By: Thomas Steffanci, PhD, Senior Portfolio Manager The markets are all aflutter as the Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) plans to reduce and then eliminate their purchases of government securities which are supposed to follow their first increase in the Fed Funds rate in March. That is estimated to be a 25-basis point (maybe 50-basis point) rise. If you believe the latest estimates of the members of...
Focus on What You Can Control By: Paul Horn, CFP®, CPWA®, Senior Financial Planner The goal of every investor is to get the best returns possible per unit of risk based on your risk tolerance (the “optimal portfolio”). No matter how much research you do or the investment philosophy you use, at the end of the day there are many variables that you cannot predict or control for when you are making...
By: Thomas Steffanci, PhD, Senior Portfolio Manager Source: Realinvestmentadvice.com Has the Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) caused the burst in inflation over the past year? Not Likely. While the Fed can influence money supply (M1) growth, they can’t control how fast it is spent. Money velocity measures how many times a dollar of money supply circulates. If M1 growth rises but it is saved (a...
Back in 2019, the state of Washington passed the “Long-Term Services and Support Trust Act” to provide long-term care benefits. The benefit would be $100 per day with a lifetime maximum of $36,500 and the benefits can be used for long-term care services including professional care at home or nursing facilities, dementia support, or adaptive medical equipment. The benefits will not start until...
Tailor portfolios to your needs and goals.
Investing and saving wisely is vital to success in retirement.
Navigating the complexities of your financial affairs can be simplified.
Help to increase the amount you “take home”.
Protect your loved ones and make sure your legacy endures.
Simplify the many options and decision points of executive compensation plans.
Confidently plan for your children’s future.
Give in a tax-smart, simple way.
*Please Note: Limitations. The scope of services to be provided depends upon the terms of the engagement, and the specific requests and needs of the client. BFSG does not serve as an attorney, accountant, or insurance agent. BFSG does not prepare legal documents or tax returns, nor does it sell insurance products. Please Also Note: Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk. Therefore, it should not be assumed that future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy (including the investments and/or investment strategies recommended and/or undertaken by BFSG) or any financial planning or consulting services, will be profitable, equal any historical performance level(s), or prove successful.
California Office (Headquarters)
Wealth Management & Institutional Services
2040 Main Street, Suite 720, Irvine, CA 92614
Arizona Office
Wealth Management
1643 E. Bethany Home Road, Phoenix, AZ 85016
