How do world events affect the stock market? And what does that mean for investors?

by Elle Kaplan | Jan 23, 2015 | Blog, Investing

A number of factors, including lower costs of trading and the increase in high-frequency trading, have helped create a “new normal” for the financial markets in which greater volatility is expected. With that said, there will still be events in our country...

Asset Allocation: No Such Thing As One-Size-Fits-All

by Elle Kaplan | Jan 15, 2015 | Allocation, Blog, Investing, Wealth Management

Asset allocation is not formulaic, nor is it purely age-based. Investing should always be goals-based. The way you invest money for a particular goal depends on your needs and time horizon relative to that goal, as well as your personal risk tolerance. Asset...

Retirement Planning for All Ages

by Elle Kaplan | Jan 8, 2015 | Blog, Investing, Retirement, Wealth Management

As you begin the retirement planning process: The first step in determining how best to reach your retirement goals involves simply envisioning the retirement you want. Start to bring to life the high-level goals you see for yourself once you finish working. Things to...

Reviewing Your Retirement Goals

by Elle Kaplan | Dec 31, 2014 | Blog, Investing, Retirement, Wealth Management

The new year is a natural point to check in, review your financial goals, and re-evaluate your plan to make sure that it is still a good fit and that you are on track to meet those goals. A common question that arises as part of this goal-mapping conversation is: am I...

Re-thinking Your Financial Plan As We Approach Year End?

by Elle Kaplan | Dec 17, 2014 | Blog, Investing, Wealth Management

The end of the year can serve as a natural check-in point at which to evaluate your financial plan. The new year suggests reflection and renewal as we look to the season and the year ahead. It is a good idea to assess whether any of your major goals or areas of focus...