Best-Performing Asset Classes: Why Market Leadership Changes
Investors often want to know which asset class is going to perform best next. The challenge is that market leadership changes. The asset class that leads one year may lag the next, and the investment that feels safest today may not always support long-term goals. According to Yale’s U.S. Stock Market Confidence Indices, the Crash […]
Avoiding Cognitive Decline: Planning for Brain Health and Long-Term Independence
Cognitive health is an important part of aging well. While some memory changes can be a normal part of getting older, more serious cognitive decline can affect independence, decision-making, family relationships, and long-term financial planning. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, approximately 12% to 18% of people age 60 or older are living with mild cognitive […]
A Taxing Story: Understanding Capital Gains and Losses
Chris Rock once joked, “You don’t pay taxes—they take taxes.” That may feel especially true when investment gains create an unexpected tax bill. Capital gains and losses are an important part of investing, especially for individuals and families with taxable brokerage accounts, real estate, business interests, or concentrated stock positions. Understanding how gains and losses […]
Asset Allocation: Building a Portfolio for Different Market Conditions
If you have ever visited a big city, you may have noticed street vendors selling items that seem unrelated, such as hot coffee and ice cream. At first, that may seem unusual. But the strategy makes sense. On cold days, hot coffee is easier to sell. On warm days, ice cream is more appealing. By […]
Assessing Your Life Insurance Needs
If your family depends on your income, life insurance can be an important part of your financial foundation. Life insurance is designed to help provide financial support to the people who rely on you if you pass away unexpectedly. In particular, it can help replace income, cover final expenses, pay debts, support children, protect a […]
A Primer on Dividends
For investors looking for portfolio income, dividend-paying stocks may be worth understanding. A dividend is a payment a company makes to its shareholders, usually from company profits. When a business earns a profit, it can generally use that money in one of two ways: reinvest it back into the company or distribute a portion of […]
An Overview of Renter’s Insurance
Renters often assume they do not need renter’s insurance because they do not own the home or apartment they live in. Others believe their belongings are not valuable enough to insure. But while the property owner’s insurance may cover the building, it usually does not cover your personal belongings, your liability, or the cost of […]
And the Executor Is: Choosing the Right Person to Carry Out Your Wishes
Choosing an executor is one of the most important decisions you make when creating a will. Your executor is the person responsible for carrying out the instructions in your will after you pass away. That may include managing estate assets, paying final debts and taxes, communicating with heirs, working with the court when required, and […]
A Penny Saved Is Two Pennies Earned
Benjamin Franklin is often credited with the saying, “A penny saved is a penny earned.” But the original line from Poor Richard’s Almanack, published in 1737, was actually: “A penny saved is two pence clear.” However you say it, the principle still applies: small savings can make a meaningful difference over time. At True North […]
A Look at Whole Life Insurance
Whole life insurance is designed to provide permanent life insurance protection with fixed premiums and a guaranteed death benefit. This protection remains as long as the policy remains in force. Unlike term life insurance, which provides coverage for a set period of time, whole life insurance is intended to last for the policyholder’s lifetime. In […]