What does it take to minimize your tax bill, not just this year but in the years to come? The answer varies for each individual. Tax optimization strategies depend heavily on personal assets and financial goals, which are unique to everyone. However, nearly all high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) share one common objective: reducing their tax obligations to the absolute minimum allowed by law. Achieving this often involves leveraging specific strategies and tools that can work together...
In this month’s market update video, Ivan Gruhl, CFA®, Co-Chief Investment Officer at Avantax, discusses returns for December and then shifts to a discussion around the key themes that are top of mind as we head into the New Year.
Is your retirement savings on track? If you’re like most people, you may feel it’s not. In fact, concerns about running out of money in retirement are very common. 1, 2 Many people today believe they’ll need at least $1.5 million saved to retire comfortably. 3 But is that number right for you? The real “magic number” varies widely depending on your current savings, future goals, and lifestyle plans. A clearer picture of retirement readiness...
How many of your financial choices are based purely on logic? It could be fewer than you think. That’s because most of us make money decisions with our emotions in play. 1 With that, certain biases can follow. When they do, those biases can lead even the smartest, best-intentioned investors astray. Here’s how to recognize three common biases - hindsight bias, fear of missing out (FOMO), and survivorship bias - and avoid their traps. The...
In this month’s market update video, Ivan Gruhl, CFA®, Co-Chief Investment Officer at Avantax, recaps returns for November and then shifts to a discussion around the implications of the U.S elections, the Federal Reserve and our outlook going forward.
When are you going to retire? How did you make that decision? Many of us look at finances and health when we’re deciding when to retire. Whether or not we realize it, we’re also considering our emotions and what we imagine for the future — we compare how we feel in our current circumstances to how we expect to feel in our anticipated retirement. 1 With that, we tend to overestimate our future emotions, thinking...
Watching your portfolio take a hit can be unsettling, but staying focused on the long game is crucial. Even in uncertain times, a long-term strategy helps you navigate market ups and downs more effectively. Here, we’ll explore why market corrections are normal, how understanding historical trends can offer reassurance, and why sticking with your strategy benefits your financial future. Understanding Market Corrections: How Common Are They? Market corrections—typically defined as a drop of 10% or...
In this month’s market update video, Austin Schaul, CFA®, Investment Research Principal at Avantax recaps returns for October and then shifts to discussion around recent strength in the US dollar, the Federal Reserve, valuations and our outlook going forward.
What money topics are the most taboo to talk about? Earnings, debt, inheritance, or net worth? For most of us, many financial topics are simply off-limits. 1 That means that many of us are not discussing money as much as we probably should be. 1 Without those talks, myths about money and financial conversations can get a much stronger grip on our perspective and our financial decisions. That silence may end up stunting our financial...
If you’re like many investors, the thought of paying capital gains taxes on your successful investments might feel overwhelming. But what if there was a strategy to potentially reduce some of those taxes? It’s called tax loss harvesting, and while the term might sound complicated, it's actually a fairly simple concept that could save you money. Let’s break it down. What Is Tax Loss Harvesting? Think of your investments like a fruit-bearing tree. Some branches...
In this month’s market update video, Ivan Gruhl, CFA®, Co-Chief Investment Officer at Avantax recaps returns for September and then shifts to discussion around recent market breadth, the Federal Reserve, the economic backdrop and our outlook going forward.
What’s the first thing you think of when it comes to money? Are your thoughts more positive or negative? Whatever’s natural to you can speak to your money mindset. 1 And that money mindset can shape your financial views and habits. It can also reveal more about your values and beliefs, not just about finance but about life in general. 1 With that, understanding your money mindset can start to highlight where it may be...
