Three Things to Know About Financial Gifting Limits

by Elle Kaplan | Dec 12, 2014 | BDE, Wealth Management

The holidays are a time to focus on friends and family, and celebrating this special season often includes gifts. Whether your gift style tends toward entertaining, getting creative with thoughtful homemade goods, or scouring stores for the perfect item, chances are...

Don’t Neglect This Critical Part of Financial Planning For Your Family

by Elle Kaplan | Dec 3, 2014 | BDE, Estate planning, Wealth Management

One of the most important parts of financial planning for your family is estate planning. One of the biggest potential mistakes people can make is to put off estate planning or worse, skip it completely. You can avoid this by starting an open dialog as early as...

How much do I need to retire?

by Elle Kaplan | Nov 21, 2014 | BDE, Retirement, Wealth Management

Retirement planning is not one size fits all. Everyone’s financial situation and goals are different. While there is no one magic number to answer this question for everyone, it is important to get a clear sense of where you stand and an idea of what you want to...

What Feels Natural Is Often The Opposite of Successful Investing Behavior

by Elle Kaplan | Nov 12, 2014 | BDE, Investing, Wealth Management

In investing, what feels natural can often steer us very much in the wrong direction. Follow your emotions and follow the crowd, and typically you’ll be led to perform the opposite of successful investing behavior. Rational logic should be the basis for any...

Patience Pays Off for Long-Term Investors

by Elle Kaplan | Nov 6, 2014 | BDE, Investing, Wealth Management

In October, we saw a global pullback in the stock market. This prompted a flurry of media hype that spooked many investors. Flooded with headlines touting things like “Global Growth Concerns” and “A Brewing Storm,” many investors experienced a...

Traditional vs Roth IRA

by Elle Kaplan | Oct 30, 2014 | BDE, Investing, Wealth Management

As you prepare for retirement, understanding the difference between a traditional vs Roth IRA will help you make the most of your wealth. So what is a Roth IRA, and why do you need one? In contrast to a traditional IRA, you contribute to your Roth IRA from your...