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Today, I would like to discuss a term that gets thrown around ad nauseum in the financial services industry, FIDUCIARY. You hear it on TV commercials, read about it in financial publications and possibly get seduced by the term when being approached by a financial services professional. There is even a professional designation being offered. I believe that the most appropriate place to begin the discussion is with the definition of the word...

Would you like to know what presidential elections and Harry Potter have in common? Stick around and I'll tell you. Another presidential election year came and went. And to say it was no ordinary election year is an understatement. There were so many variables at play it was, for most, highly emotional and unpredictable, especially around health and finances. But this was not the first election cycle to be fraught with uncertainty and chaos.

Originally posted March 29, 2019 by Joe Yagar - No matter where you turn these days the topics of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Climate Change (CC) pop up most everywhere. We may all have an opinion as to how these issues may or may not impact our lives, but the impact on the economy and potentially your financial planning strategy may be significant and that none of us should ignore.

Originally posted January 22, 2019 by Joe Yagar - 2018 has provided investors one heck of a ride, it has shown some of the best and worst the market has to offer in terms of both returns and emotions. Many are left wondering what’s next, and we would like to explore that debate.

Originally posted February 9, 2018 by Joe Yagar - “I’m all taken care of!” An answer I hear all too often in conversations revolving around financial advice. Most times it sounds like a knee jerk reaction, or a generic answer, when speaking to a financial adviser. A defense mechanism of sorts. As I have eluded to in previous articles I understand why you react that way. You don’t want to be sold…again.

Originally posted November 7, 2017 by Joe Yagar - All too often in my planning conversations, I find productive discussions come to a screeching halt when certain strategies or products are being assembled to address a solution that moments earlier was found to be appropriate if not ideal. None most common than in the case of life insurance and annuities. These, all too often, can be deal breakers as soon as the name is brought up.

Originally posted October 25, 2017 by Joe Yagar - After thousands of conversations and planning sessions over 23 years as an advisor, few are the same. Common goals, concerns, and anxieties exist, but our state of mind before, during, and after are unique. All too often, those who come to us for a consultation are at a point where they don’t know whom and what to believe. They want a fresh unbiased approach with no pressure to believe one thing or another. They wish to be advised, not sold.

Originally posted October 11, 2017 by Joe Yagar - Hurricane Irma came and went. In our particular case, we were fortunate to escape with minor damage and inconvenience. However, right outside the gates of our community, across the avenue, people were canoeing to their front door. Their homes and cars were submerged. That was Irma weakening to a category 1 storm in a matter of 4 hours after coming ashore in Naples as a category 4. Tampa hasn’t been anticipating a storm this big since 1921.