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The asset class periodic table is a useful tool to help investors understand the characteristics of different types of investments and how they may fit into a diversified portfolio. Let’s begin with the end in mind.

The asset allocation portfolio (white box in every column) illustrates how spreading investments across a variety of asset classes can reduce overall risk with more consistent relative returns: never at the top, never at the bottom.

Bonds are intended to be one of the less exciting, some might even say boring, parts of most people’s portfolios.  For retirees, bonds often make up a large part of the portfolio in order to generate needed income.  For people saving before retirement, bonds take on the role of stabilizing the portfolios, so they are not completely subject to the ups and downs of stocks.

In life, focusing on what’s within your control can be easier said than done.  The same can apply to investing and planning for retirement.  With investing and planning for retirement, there is more that is out of control, than within our control. Try not to get distracted by social media or volatile markets, and instead focus on what’s within your control including saving, investing and diversifying across asset classes.  

Let’s start with the importance of starting early and staying invested to take advantage of compounding your investment returns.    

As they did last quarter, US large cap returns continued to dominate, up 10.6% in Q1. US stocks are now at all-time highs and near-record valuations.

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BY: KATE HENNESSY, CFP®

Strategizing about ways to keep more of your money and put your savings to work should be done throughout the year, not just during tax season.  Here are a few of my favorite tax-smart steps to consider throughout the year:

BY: SUSAN POWERS, CFA, CPA, CFP®, CPFA®

Many small business owners think of a SEP (Simplified Employee Pension) IRA when they want to save for retirement.  However, below are five reasons why one should consider a Solo 401(k) instead:

BY: PATRICK R. COTE CFA, CFP®

The general investment advice is to contribute the maximum amount to a pretax 401K every year in order to save for a more comfortable retirement. 

2023 was an interesting year in the equity and fixed income markets. Check out AssetGrade’s review of the markets for 2023. Learn more about the markets, inflation, resilient US consumer, and importance of staying invested.

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BY: KATE HENNESSY, CFP®

Some people associate estate planning with death, others feel it is time consuming and costly, it doesn’t have to be.  Here are three estate planning tips to help you start protecting your assets for you and your loved ones:

BY: SUSAN POWERS, CFA, CPA, CFP®, CPFA®

As we approach year end, here are five tax tips to help minimize your tax liabilities and make the most of your financial situation:

BY: PATRICK R. COTE CFA, CFP®

With higher inflation continuing to persist, there are two main investment options that have become attractive in order to generate returns greater than the inflation rate.

For emergency funds, it is a good idea to keep your money in safe and accessible investments.  We mentioned I bonds a couple of years ago, when they were paying out up to 9%, which was attractive back then compared with bank account rates of near zero!

Check out AssetGrade’s review of the markets for the Third Quarter 2023. Learn more about the challenges markets faced this quarter and what to consider as we look toward year end.