The Basics of Social Security
Since 1935, Social Security has been one of the most important sources of income for retirees, however it is wrought with nuances that can leave even the most savvy person frustrated and confused. When the program accounts for the majority of income for most retirees, you’d be remiss if you didn’t do all it takes […]
Indicators of Rising Interest Rates and Effects on Your Portfolio
By Brian Frederick, CFP®, CIMA® News last week of rising interest rates on the 10 year Treasury Bond (which influences mortgages and other loans) had the media in a frenzy. However, rising rates are not the bugaboo that some headlines would have you fear. While the one percent rise in a fairly short period of […]
Harnessing The ‘Power of Now’ To Improve Your Investment Mindset
As we approach the one-year mark of the COVID pandemic, many of us are hitting isolation fatigue. We are longing to get back to ‘normal’ and according to Melissa Auerbach, an assistant professor in psychology at Temple University who studies stress and health risk behaviors, people have limited mental resources for self-control. “We have all […]
Financial Independence Is The New Retirement
The concept of retirement continues to evolve over time. When I begin working with a client on their retirement planning, I like to discuss it in terms of ‘financial independence;’ the point at which you no longer need to work to afford your desired lifestyle. This can be a difficult calculation since you must factor […]
The Gamification of Investing
FacebookTwitterLinkedInEmail Wall Street was buzzing last week, all because of a Reddit thread that caused the stock prices of companies like GameStop and AMC to surge. Many people have never been on Reddit or don’t even know what it is. Essentially, it is a message board where people can discuss almost anything and recently the […]
Impact Investing and How You Can Make A Difference
By Tyrel Lacey, CFP ®, ChFC® I have the opportunity to work with residents on Whidbey Island and while location is a common thread, I have found they enjoy creativity and embracing their local community. There is also something else I have noticed that connects them: they are very charitably inclined. And while they have an […]
Don’t Let The Headlines Distract You: Stay The Course
Brian Frederick, CFP®, CIMA® The news these days is hard to ignore. Especially with the impending election, we are inundated with noise. Unfortunately, each headline is more salacious than the next and becomes harder and harder to ignore. It’s difficult not to let our emotions get the best of us and do something that feels […]
Mainspring Turns 7: A Retrospective
Kevin Skogen, CFP®, ChFC® Financial Planner Seven years ago, the iPhone 5s was the latest model, Tesla hit a major roadblock and the outlook looked grim, and Mainspring was just getting started. Suffice it to say, a lot can change in seven years. I remember the days leading up to our first official day being […]
Employee Stock Options: A Blessing and A Curse?
Jeremy Taylor, CFP®, ChFC® I was having a socially distant beer with a friend the other day and the conversation drifted toward the topic of kids. As we were sharing funny stories of what our kids have been up to in quarantine, I mentioned that I can see my son, Greyson, having a future career […]