to discuss views on the economy, financial planning, or sustainable investments.
Lucy Lazarony writing for Next Avenue lays out 7 steps to recover financially from a divorce. This is a great place to start, although not as easy to do in practice. Check out her article with contributions from Chris Chen CFP and other fine financial planners and reach out if you have anything that you would like to know more about. If you are towards the beginning of your process, you could also check The Divorce Course for more information on the financial intricacies of divorce for women.
Retirement Plan Form Insurance Financial Concept
Because of changes in Federal rules, you will soon be able to invest your 401k in annuity. Although it makes sense for some to have annuities, it is not clear that this is a great advantage inside of a 401(k). Read up on different points of view in this article where Chris was quoted. If this question has intrigued you, reach out. Let us know what you think!
Alisa Wolfson writing for MarketWatch writes about a gentleman who is disappointed with his financial advisor. Alisa with Chris Chen CFP and other fine financial planners offer an analysis of what happened. The bottom line is that you should know what you are purchasing. If you don't you should ask until you do. Check out the full article.
Chris was extensively interviewed for this article by Brian Thorp at Wealthtender about financial planning for employees of Mass General Brigham (MGB). There are a few peculiarities of MGB’s retirement plans that make it worth it to seek a consultation. Check out the full article.
What do you need to consider if you are going to retire abroad? There is more to that decision than choosing the beach in Costa Rica or the quaint village in Italy. Check out Liam Gibson's article on key considerations for retiring abroad with contributions from Chris Chen CFP and other fine financial planners.
There are techniques that an investor can use to increase their returns by reducing taxes. Check out this article by William Edwards writing for Business Insider with contributions from Chris Chen CFP Check out the full article.
There are a number of possibilities to reduce taxes. Check this article by Liam Gibson for Wealth of Geeks with contributions from Chris Chen CFP as well as several other financial planners. Check out the full article.
It is the season of giving! Emily White writes for HerMoney, Jean Chatzky’s publication about the best educational gifts. Check out the full article.
Billie dollar. money background
It is often said that grandparent like their grandchildren more than their own children. It follows that many will want to help them financially as well as in every other way. Kimberly Palmer from NerdWallet has a some ideas in this article published with ABC News. Check out the full article.
Emil Hallez explores for Wealth Professional the current bitcoin buzz. Bitcoin has more than doubled in price so far this year. At this point a legitimate question is: is it an investment or is it just speculative?
Writing for Investment News, Mark Schoeff explores the new Massachusetts millionaire tax that imposes a 4% surcharge on annual incomes in excess of $1M. It is worth noting that the tax doesn’t apply to a large number of people. And as per usual, it creates planning imperatives for people subject to it. Read the full article.
Writing for Wealth of Geeks and the Jacksonville Journal Courier, Jeff Fang explores what States are the best to retire in. FLorida did not make the cut. According to a quote from Chris, proximity to family is important and it is difficult to achieve when moving to another state.
ESG mutual funds used to be the shiny new investment. Now they have lost some of their luster. Emile Hallez writing for Investment News notes how that sectors has been struggling recently. According to Chris, some the backlash is due to the complexity of ESG concepts. They are difficult to communicate and to integrate in a portfolio. What do you think about ESG investing?
The main benefit of annuities, the guarantee of monthly payments for life, is very comforting to many retirees.
Industry affiliated academics have been on a roll suggesting that annuities are the bedrock of a retirement plan. In fact, we agree. Social Security is an annuity that has the advantage of being COLA adjusted, unlike most private sector annuities. This article has a balanced view of the issue. Check it out here!
For those envisioning to retire in Illinois, this short article looks at different locations and their advantages. As befits someone living next to Cambridge MA who lived previously in Austin, TX and Chapel Hill, NC, Chris favors the university towns of Urbana Champaign! Check it out yourself over here!
In this blog post in Wealth of Geeks Liam Gibson observes some of the opportunities and challenges that women will face with their finances. Chris addresses some of women’s issues that come from divorce. Read the full article.
TD Ameritrade
5/2/2023
Currently, private investments are typically restricted to high net worth people. The US Congress is considering a bill to make them more easily available to more people. Is that a good idea? Mark Schoeff from Investment News investigates the question in the following article.
When mediating a divorce settlement, a 50-50 split of assets isn’t always equitable when Social Security benefits are taken into account. Read the full article here.
The message remains the same: even though divorced individuals can get benefits based on the record of their ex-spouse, the difference is worth paying attention to." Read the full article here.
In this Marketwatch article, Beth Pinsker covers the difficulties of getting divorced in a situation when asset valuations are in question: real estate is down, we think; the financial markets are volatile. Check it out over here
Alisa Wolfson, writing for Marketwatch, received a question from a consumer. The consumer is wondering if she should invest in an annuity as recommended by her "fiduciary" advisor.
Part of Chris's feedback to Alisa is that it is unlikely that this advisor was fiduciary because they recommended a product that usually pays commissions to the seller. Mind you, it is possible that an annuity is the right thing to invest in a given case.
However, any question that claims that a fiduciary advisor recommended putting 50% of assets in an annuity raises a red flag.
Obviously, as a fee-only fiduciary, I recommend that you get one also. If you are unsure, check the NAPFA.ORG or the Feeonlynetwork.com websites. They are not the only sources, but everyone there is a fee-only fiduciary Certified Financial Planner, including yours truly. Good luck!
You know how financial planners tell you that you need an emergency fund. It's not always as easy as it looks. Bernice Napach in the Wall Street Journal goes through a step by step process, including Chris's view on how to structure one. Go check it out for yourself!
In the crazy real estate market that we had before interest rates started rising in the second quarter of 2022, many felt compelled to overbid for houses, and now are left feeling a little helpless.
This article by Alisa Wolfson at MarketWatch describes one such case. It's like every other financial problem: it requires a cold hard look at the facts and the emotions of the case. Check it out over here!
Jeff Benjamin writes about the webcast that he led with Chris Chen and three other industry experts. Direct indexing allows investors and their advisors to personalize their portfolio efficiently. An example is to personalize for Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Factors. A screen could be built to favor certain investments and exclude others. Personalization is clearly to attract many investors.
However, the main application could well be tax loss harvesting which will allow investors to potentially increase their rate of return over time. Read the full article.
Who would ever have thought that the words "Tyra Banks" and "Chris Chen" would appear in the same article?
Well, here we are! Apparently, Tyra has issues with spending money. Hence Alisa Wolfson's article in MarketWatch. You can read the pros and cons in the article.
Chris's opinion is that so long as it fits in a Life Plan, spending is OK. Have you got your life plan yet?
It is re-enrollment season, and so is the rush to figure out if Health Savings Account is right for you. It is a complex issue which fortunately can be addressed with a little analysis. Check Mark Schoeff's article in Investment News .
There was a time when cryptocurrency was red hot. No longer. The pricing of crypto has fallen even more than the traditional financial markets, reminding everyone that financial risk is an important investment consideration. In the best of cases, your portfolio will take the risk that you need to take and no more than that. Call us if that makes any sense
Bitcoin is down more than 58% year to date compared to slightly over 23% for the S&P500. As a professional in your wealth preservation, I tell you often that it isn't just about returns, it is also about risks. Read the full article.
It's no longer news that interest rates are going up. Before the last Fed meeting, Dashia Milden sat with Chris and other advisors to stare into the crystal ball. Check it out in this article.
Chris and 9 other financial professionals offer their advice on how to weather the bear market.
Chris points out that we have had many bear markets before and just as many many recoveries. We will continue to have bear markets and, hopefully, will continue to recover.
Chris brings up recent data that shows the down and up record of the stock market and how it managed to finish up anyway. Check the article for an interesting read!
"Should you use your executive compensation (stock options, RSUs, etc) to plan for retirement instead of retirement accounts?
Many people, especially those working in startups, like to think in that direction. They often think that stock options are "real money" instead of the "peanuts" provided in retirement accounts. I don't know what's real and what's peanuts.
However, it is worth keeping in mind that not all startups are phenomenally successful. The majority of them actually don't work out that well, and a significant percentage actually fail. The advantage of investing in a 401k is that, plodding as it may be, the law of compounding works to your advantage, and it eventually can become quite substantial.
Think of it as a put option on your startup." Read the full article here.
If you have followed cryptocurrencies at all, you may know that there are almost 10,000 available for purchase (many with no value to speak of). In comparison, there are fewer than 8,000 listed companies in the US. If you were so inclined, how then would you choose what to buy?
In this article for NextAdvisor and Time magazine, Alex Gailey describes a method to rate cryptocurrencies for their investability. It's a very dynamic market, and this investability score is a step in the right direction. I am happy to have contributed to Alex's thinking on this topic. Read more here.
PS: Caveat Emptor: Insight Financial Strategists does not recommend at this point that you buy or not buy crypto investments. This is entirely your choice.
We are all suffering from inflation. Adelia Linkecker writing for Investor's Business Daily suggests "Seven Easy Ways To Shield Your Money From Inflation" with contributions from Chris and several other financial professionals.
Go here to read it!
Is it a good idea to raid your retirement plan? Patricia Amend explores that question in this article in the AARP magazine. It can be a costly opinion especially with retirement looming. Check out the article over here.
Angela Moore, Senior Retirement Editor at Marketwatch interviews Chris and Fritz Gilbert author of the Retirement Manifesto. They address a number of topics including inflation, the bucket strategy, and others. Check it out!
In this episode of the Financial Planning Association of New England's Wicked Pissah Podcast, Jeff Tomaneng CFP, a past President of the FPA speaks with Chris about his journey to divorce financial planning. Check it out!
Jeff Benjamin from Investment News writes about taking on debt in retirement. Unfortunately, it is becoming an increasingly common occurrence. Check out this article for some considerations including Chris's view that in an inflationary environment like we have now, borrowed money could be considered inexpensive. Read article here!
Divorce is stressful and complicated and hurts on so many emotional and financial levels. It becomes even more complex when you throw in the additional financial stress of student loans. Before you just sell the house and write a check to pay off your Parent PLUS loans, look at all your options. One could potentially save you a couple hundred thousand dollars! Read the article here!
One way that people have tried to help Ukraine, and Russia too actually, in this war has been to donate cryptocurrencies to the belligerents. This article by Alex Gailey at Time Next Advisor addresses some of the issues. Read the article here!
Having debt in retirement can be a concern, This article in Forbes highlights some of the ways that you can deal with it. It is usually a complicated topic. So make sure that you get a consultation with a professional to get a practical plan. Read the article here!
I am humbled to be cited as a 36 Top Influencers in 2022 along so many industry leaders who have actually influenced me. My cynical self wants to say that it is an accidental listing. However, I plan to try hard to justify the award! Read the article here!
When divorcing, we think that financial expertise is critical to supplement your lawyer or help in your mediation. However, it is not always clear which specialist to hire. This article in Kiplinger may help clarify some of these issues. Give us a call if it doesn't! Read the article here!
One of the more interesting fintech consumer innovation is the multicurrency account. Writing for Nerdwallet, Spencer Tierney goes over the intricacies of this type of account, and quotes my own experience on a recent trip saving money on foreign exchange. Check it out!
https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/banking/multi-currency-account
If you want investment exposure to crypto assets, there are ways than buying a cryptocurrency directly. Vikram Barhat explores those alternatives in this article in Money Sense. Check it Out here!
Crypto is making headline again with a precipitous drop in values in the past weeks, inducing concern among many crypto investors. Check this article in Next Advisor / Time by Alex Gailey to read several views from people watching the crypto markets, including Chris. Read the article here!
Were you looking to give crypto as a gift? Here are a few considerations in this article by Alex Gailey at Next Advisor, Time's money publication. Chris's view is that taxes are one more complication to crypto that investors need to pay attention to. Read the article here!
Cyril Tuohy writes in Life Annuity Specialist about the trend of creating new types of annuities that appeal better to fiduciary advisors such as Insight Financial Strategists. Historically, annuities have been complicated and expensive with a single compelling feature: lifetime income. Insurance companies are looking to make that better. Read the article here!
Insurance companies have been hard at work over the past couple of years lobbying to let Washington allow them into your 401(k). There is no mystery why. It is where the money is! The benefit is much harder to discern. Check out this article by Lewis Braham in Barron's. Read the article here!
It is year-end, and it is time to tend to your finances and make sure you get a little extra bump in your finances before the year end. Check this article and check in with your Wealth Strategist to implement! Read the article here!
Chris is interviewed in Business Insider article by Zina Kumok about the difficulties that American expatriates can experience. There are many issues with respect to taxation, reporting, and what can be invested in. In summary, expatriating can be a fun adventure, but it requires proper financial preparation. Read the article here!
Just getting a designation isn't enough
10/26/2021
In this video interview, Chris talks about what it takes to specialize in divorce financial planning. For Chris, the first step was to get the CDFA designation. But that's not enough: it requires working extensively in the field, getting additional qualifications including mediation training, and working on many many cases. Read the article here!
9/22/2021
Federal student loan borrowers will be required to resume payments after January 31, 2022, after a payment pause and interest rates had been dropped to 0% for nearly two years. Many borrowers benefited from this freeze and now must prepare to make payments again or for the first time. Saki tells readers that it is very important to explore your federal repayment options before the freeze ends.. Read the article here!
Do you have access to a Roth 40(k) plan at work? These accounts can be a good way to help you grow your retirement assets tax-free, but according to Chris, it's not for everyone. People who anticipate their marginal tax rate in retirement will be equal or lower than their current rate should not opt for a Roth 401(k). Those who are in lower tax brackets, or in transition between careers when their income levels are lower than usual may wan to consider it, though. Read the article here!
As a volatile, highly speculative investment, many investors are cautious about cryptocurrency. Many people who are skeptical about cryptocurrency but believe in the blockchain technology behind it see blockchain ETFs as a much more sound investment. Chris tells NextAdvisor that the companies that are supporting the development of blockchain are the shovel sellers during the gold rush of the 1800s- they are the ones who made the money by selling shovels to the people who rushed to dig for gold! Read the article here!
Read the article here!
Read the article here!
Chinese stocks dominate the emerging market indexes these days, accounting for about 40% of the typical fund. That's a big challenge today because your typical Emerging Market fund isn't really that diversified. Chris tells MarketWatch that people should be invested in emerging markets, but there is merit in splitting out China and non-China emerging markets as separate allocations. Read the article here!
More than half of Robinhood's users are first-tie investors and 31 is the median age of all users, who tend to have less complicated financial lives. With Robinhood becoming a publicly traded company in July 2021, the article asks if these users want to grow old with Robinhood- even as they get older and their financial lives get more complicated. Would they still want to manage their own positions in Robinhood or will they move away to seek expert advice from financial planners? Read the article here!
6/29/2021
Should you buy a second home? In this article by Robert Powell, Chris recommends that you have a good plan in place before and after you purchase a second home. Read the article here!
In this article, Chris explains how he started specializing in financial planning for women going through a divorce. He started developing this specialty and expertise 12 years ago. The more specialized an adviser is, the better the service the adviser will be able to provide! Read the article here!
Congratulations Class of 2021! If you took out student loans to pay for school, you may be wondering what to do about your loans as you get ready to start a new chapter of your life. This article will guide you through the terms you need to know, concepts that are unique to student loans, and actions you can take to take control of your student loans! Read the article here!
Investors and economists are worried about inflation, but should you? How does it affect you? Read about how inflation helps borrowers, when it doesn't, and what Chris has to say about loans with variable rates.
5/8/2021
Crypto was all the rage when John Puterbaugh wrote this article for NextAdvisor, Time's personal finance section. Shortly aftwerwards, Bitcoin experienced some serious volatility. Regardless, people increasingly ask if they shoulf include Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in their portfolio. Read the article here!
5/3/2021
Student loans can take a serious toll on your finances. Learn when you can settle student loans, how it works and why Income-Driven Repayment plans or forgiveness programs might be a better alternative. Read the article here!
Read the article here!
Read the article here!
In this article for Yahoo Finance's personal finance section, Stephanie Asymkos interviewd Chris to get his views on finance and divorce. Read the article here!
Changes may be coming to the student loan repayment programs when President-elect Joe Biden takes office next month. Writing for Kiplinger, Saki explains what's in Biden's proposed student loan plan. The future of student loan debt could look quite different. Read the article here!
The rules for claiming Social Security are confusing, especially for people who have had more than one marriage and divorce. Chris explains the details. Click here to read the article.
What are the differences between private and federal student loans? It's important to know if you have student loans. Writing for Kiplinger, Saki Kurose explains the advantages and disadvantages of refinancing your student loans. Click here to read the article.
Is it a good idea to raid your retirement plan? Patricia Amend explores that question in this article in the AARP magazine. It can be a costly opinion especially with retirement looming. Check out the article over here.
Angela Moore, Senior Retirement Editor at Marketwatch interviews Chris and Fritz Gilbert author of the Retirement Manifesto. They address a number of topics including inflation, the bucket strategy, and others. Check it out!
In this episode of the Financial Planning Association of New England's Wicked Pissah Podcast, Jeff Tomaneng CFP, a past President of the FPA speaks with Chris about his journey to divorce financial planning. Check it out!
Jeff Benjamin from Investment News writes about taking on debt in retirement. Unfortunately, it is becoming an increasingly common occurrence. Check out this article for some considerations including Chris's view that in an inflationary environment like we have now, borrowed money could be considered inexpensive. Read article here!
Divorce is stressful and complicated and hurts on so many emotional and financial levels. It becomes even more complex when you throw in the additional financial stress of student loans. Before you just sell the house and write a check to pay off your Parent PLUS loans, look at all your options. One could potentially save you a couple hundred thousand dollars! Read the article here!
One way that people have tried to help Ukraine, and Russia too actually, in this war has been to donate cryptocurrencies to the belligerents. This article by Alex Gailey at Time Next Advisor addresses some of the issues. Read the article here!
Having debt in retirement can be a concern, This article in Forbes highlights some of the ways that you can deal with it. It is usually a complicated topic. So make sure that you get a consultation with a professional to get a practical plan. Read the article here!
I am humbled to be cited as a 36 Top Influencers in 2022 along so many industry leaders who have actually influenced me. My cynical self wants to say that it is an accidental listing. However, I plan to try hard to justify the award! Read the article here!
When divorcing, we think that financial expertise is critical to supplement your lawyer or help in your mediation. However, it is not always clear which specialist to hire. This article in Kiplinger may help clarify some of these issues. Give us a call if it doesn't! Read the article here!
One of the more interesting fintech consumer innovation is the multicurrency account. Writing for Nerdwallet, Spencer Tierney goes over the intricacies of this type of account, and quotes my own experience on a recent trip saving money on foreign exchange. Check it out!
https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/banking/multi-currency-account
If you want investment exposure to crypto assets, there are ways than buying a cryptocurrency directly. Vikram Barhat explores those alternatives in this article in Money Sense. Check it Out here!
Crypto is making headline again with a precipitous drop in values in the past weeks, inducing concern among many crypto investors. Check this article in Next Advisor / Time by Alex Gailey to read several views from people watching the crypto markets, including Chris. Read the article here!
Were you looking to give crypto as a gift? Here are a few considerations in this article by Alex Gailey at Next Advisor, Time's money publication. Chris's view is that taxes are one more complication to crypto that investors need to pay attention to. Read the article here!
Cyril Tuohy writes in Life Annuity Specialist about the trend of creating new types of annuities that appeal better to fiduciary advisors such as Insight Financial Strategists. Historically, annuities have been complicated and expensive with a single compelling feature: lifetime income. Insurance companies are looking to make that better. Read the article here!
Insurance companies have been hard at work over the past couple of years lobbying to let Washington allow them into your 401(k). There is no mystery why. It is where the money is! The benefit is much harder to discern. Check out this article by Lewis Braham in Barron's. Read the article here!
It is year-end, and it is time to tend to your finances and make sure you get a little extra bump in your finances before the year end. Check this article and check in with your Wealth Strategist to implement! Read the article here!
Chris is interviewed in Business Insider article by Zina Kumok about the difficulties that American expatriates can experience. There are many issues with respect to taxation, reporting, and what can be invested in. In summary, expatriating can be a fun adventure, but it requires proper financial preparation. Read the article here!
Just getting a designation isn't enough
10/26/2021
In this video interview, Chris talks about what it takes to specialize in divorce financial planning. For Chris, the first step was to get the CDFA designation. But that's not enough: it requires working extensively in the field, getting additional qualifications including mediation training, and working on many many cases. Read the article here!
9/22/2021
Federal student loan borrowers will be required to resume payments after January 31, 2022, after a payment pause and interest rates had been dropped to 0% for nearly two years. Many borrowers benefited from this freeze and now must prepare to make payments again or for the first time. Saki tells readers that it is very important to explore your federal repayment options before the freeze ends.. Read the article here!
Do you have access to a Roth 40(k) plan at work? These accounts can be a good way to help you grow your retirement assets tax-free, but according to Chris, it's not for everyone. People who anticipate their marginal tax rate in retirement will be equal or lower than their current rate should not opt for a Roth 401(k). Those who are in lower tax brackets, or in transition between careers when their income levels are lower than usual may wan to consider it, though. Read the article here!
As a volatile, highly speculative investment, many investors are cautious about cryptocurrency. Many people who are skeptical about cryptocurrency but believe in the blockchain technology behind it see blockchain ETFs as a much more sound investment. Chris tells NextAdvisor that the companies that are supporting the development of blockchain are the shovel sellers during the gold rush of the 1800s- they are the ones who made the money by selling shovels to the people who rushed to dig for gold! Read the article here!
Read the article here!
Read the article here!
Chinese stocks dominate the emerging market indexes these days, accounting for about 40% of the typical fund. That's a big challenge today because your typical Emerging Market fund isn't really that diversified. Chris tells MarketWatch that people should be invested in emerging markets, but there is merit in splitting out China and non-China emerging markets as separate allocations. Read the article here!
More than half of Robinhood's users are first-tie investors and 31 is the median age of all users, who tend to have less complicated financial lives. With Robinhood becoming a publicly traded company in July 2021, the article asks if these users want to grow old with Robinhood- even as they get older and their financial lives get more complicated. Would they still want to manage their own positions in Robinhood or will they move away to seek expert advice from financial planners? Read the article here!
6/29/2021
Should you buy a second home? In this article by Robert Powell, Chris recommends that you have a good plan in place before and after you purchase a second home. Read the article here!
In this article, Chris explains how he started specializing in financial planning for women going through a divorce. He started developing this specialty and expertise 12 years ago. The more specialized an adviser is, the better the service the adviser will be able to provide! Read the article here!
Congratulations Class of 2021! If you took out student loans to pay for school, you may be wondering what to do about your loans as you get ready to start a new chapter of your life. This article will guide you through the terms you need to know, concepts that are unique to student loans, and actions you can take to take control of your student loans! Read the article here!
Investors and economists are worried about inflation, but should you? How does it affect you? Read about how inflation helps borrowers, when it doesn't, and what Chris has to say about loans with variable rates.
5/8/2021
Crypto was all the rage when John Puterbaugh wrote this article for NextAdvisor, Time's personal finance section. Shortly aftwerwards, Bitcoin experienced some serious volatility. Regardless, people increasingly ask if they shoulf include Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in their portfolio. Read the article here!
5/3/2021
Student loans can take a serious toll on your finances. Learn when you can settle student loans, how it works and why Income-Driven Repayment plans or forgiveness programs might be a better alternative. Read the article here!
Read the article here!
Read the article here!
In this article for Yahoo Finance's personal finance section, Stephanie Asymkos interviewd Chris to get his views on finance and divorce. Read the article here!
Changes may be coming to the student loan repayment programs when President-elect Joe Biden takes office next month. Writing for Kiplinger, Saki explains what's in Biden's proposed student loan plan. The future of student loan debt could look quite different. Read the article here!
The rules for claiming Social Security are confusing, especially for people who have had more than one marriage and divorce. Chris explains the details. Click here to read the article.
What are the differences between private and federal student loans? It's important to know if you have student loans. Writing for Kiplinger, Saki Kurose explains the advantages and disadvantages of refinancing your student loans. Click here to read the article.
In this episode of the Financial Planning Association of New England's Wicked Pissah Podcast, Jeff Tomaneng CFP, a past President of the FPA speaks with Chris about his journey to divorce financial planning. Check it out here!
Divorce is stressful and complicated and hurts on so many emotional and financial levels. It becomes even more complex when you throw in the additional financial stress of student loans. Before you just sell the house and write a check to pay off your Parent PLUS loans, look at all your options. One could potentially save you a couple hundred thousand dollars! Read the article here!
One way that people have tried to help Ukraine, and Russia too actually, in this war has been to donate cryptocurrencies to the belligerents. This article by Alex Gailey at Time Next Advisor addresses some of the issues. Read the article here!
Having debt in retirement can be a concern, This article in Forbes highlights some of the ways that you can deal with it. It is usually a complicated topic. So make sure that you get a consultation with a professional to get a practical plan. Read the article here!
I am humbled to be cited as a 36 Top Influencers in 2022 along so many industry leaders who have actually influenced me. My cynical self wants to say that it is an accidental listing. However, I plan to try hard to justify the award! Read the article here!
When divorcing, we think that financial expertise is critical to supplement your lawyer or help in your mediation. However, it is not always clear which specialist to hire. This article in Kiplinger may help clarify some of these issues. Give us a call if it doesn't! Read the article here!
One of the more interesting fintech consumer innovation is the multicurrency account. Writing for Nerdwallet, Spencer Tierney goes over the intricacies of this type of account, and quotes my own experience on a recent trip saving money on foreign exchange. Check it out!
https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/banking/multi-currency-account
If you want investment exposure to crypto assets, there are ways than buying a cryptocurrency directly. Vikram Barhat explores those alternatives in this article in Money Sense. Check it Out here!
Crypto is making headline again with a precipitous drop in values in the past weeks, inducing concern among many crypto investors. Check this article in Next Advisor / Time by Alex Gailey to read several views from people watching the crypto markets, including Chris. Read the article here!
Were you looking to give crypto as a gift? Here are a few considerations in this article by Alex Gailey at Next Advisor, Time's money publication. Chris's view is that taxes are one more complication to crypto that investors need to pay attention to. Read the article here!
Cyril Tuohy writes in Life Annuity Specialist about the trend of creating new types of annuities that appeal better to fiduciary advisors such as Insight Financial Strategists. Historically, annuities have been complicated and expensive with a single compelling feature: lifetime income. Insurance companies are looking to make that better. Read the article here!
Insurance companies have been hard at work over the past couple of years lobbying to let Washington allow them into your 401(k). There is no mystery why. It is where the money is! The benefit is much harder to discern. Check out this article by Lewis Braham in Barron's. Read the article here!
It is year-end, and it is time to tend to your finances and make sure you get a little extra bump in your finances before the year end. Check this article and check in with your Wealth Strategist to implement! Read the article here!
Chris is interviewed in Business Insider article by Zina Kumok about the difficulties that American expatriates can experience. There are many issues with respect to taxation, reporting, and what can be invested in. In summary, expatriating can be a fun adventure, but it requires proper financial preparation. Read the article here!
Just getting a designation isn't enough
10/26/2021
In this video interview, Chris talks about what it takes to specialize in divorce financial planning. For Chris, the first step was to get the CDFA designation. But that's not enough: it requires working extensively in the field, getting additional qualifications including mediation training, and working on many many cases. Read the article here!
9/22/2021
Federal student loan borrowers will be required to resume payments after January 31, 2022, after a payment pause and interest rates had been dropped to 0% for nearly two years. Many borrowers benefited from this freeze and now must prepare to make payments again or for the first time. Saki tells readers that it is very important to explore your federal repayment options before the freeze ends.. Read the article here!
Do you have access to a Roth 40(k) plan at work? These accounts can be a good way to help you grow your retirement assets tax-free, but according to Chris, it's not for everyone. People who anticipate their marginal tax rate in retirement will be equal or lower than their current rate should not opt for a Roth 401(k). Those who are in lower tax brackets, or in transition between careers when their income levels are lower than usual may wan to consider it, though. Read the article here!
As a volatile, highly speculative investment, many investors are cautious about cryptocurrency. Many people who are skeptical about cryptocurrency but believe in the blockchain technology behind it see blockchain ETFs as a much more sound investment. Chris tells NextAdvisor that the companies that are supporting the development of blockchain are the shovel sellers during the gold rush of the 1800s- they are the ones who made the money by selling shovels to the people who rushed to dig for gold! Read the article here!
Read the article here!
Read the article here!
Chinese stocks dominate the emerging market indexes these days, accounting for about 40% of the typical fund. That's a big challenge today because your typical Emerging Market fund isn't really that diversified. Chris tells MarketWatch that people should be invested in emerging markets, but there is merit in splitting out China and non-China emerging markets as separate allocations. Read the article here!
More than half of Robinhood's users are first-tie investors and 31 is the median age of all users, who tend to have less complicated financial lives. With Robinhood becoming a publicly traded company in July 2021, the article asks if these users want to grow old with Robinhood- even as they get older and their financial lives get more complicated. Would they still want to manage their own positions in Robinhood or will they move away to seek expert advice from financial planners? Read the article here!
6/29/2021
Should you buy a second home? In this article by Robert Powell, Chris recommends that you have a good plan in place before and after you purchase a second home. Read the article here!
In this article, Chris explains how he started specializing in financial planning for women going through a divorce. He started developing this specialty and expertise 12 years ago. The more specialized an adviser is, the better the service the adviser will be able to provide! Read the article here!
Congratulations Class of 2021! If you took out student loans to pay for school, you may be wondering what to do about your loans as you get ready to start a new chapter of your life. This article will guide you through the terms you need to know, concepts that are unique to student loans, and actions you can take to take control of your student loans! Read the article here!
Investors and economists are worried about inflation, but should you? How does it affect you? Read about how inflation helps borrowers, when it doesn't, and what Chris has to say about loans with variable rates.
5/8/2021
Crypto was all the rage when John Puterbaugh wrote this article for NextAdvisor, Time's personal finance section. Shortly aftwerwards, Bitcoin experienced some serious volatility. Regardless, people increasingly ask if they shoulf include Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in their portfolio. Read the article here!
5/3/2021
Student loans can take a serious toll on your finances. Learn when you can settle student loans, how it works and why Income-Driven Repayment plans or forgiveness programs might be a better alternative. Read the article here!
Read the article here!
Read the article here!
In this article for Yahoo Finance's personal finance section, Stephanie Asymkos interviewd Chris to get his views on finance and divorce. Read the article here!
Changes may be coming to the student loan repayment programs when President-elect Joe Biden takes office next month. Writing for Kiplinger, Saki explains what's in Biden's proposed student loan plan. The future of student loan debt could look quite different. Read the article here!
The rules for claiming Social Security are confusing, especially for people who have had more than one marriage and divorce. Chris explains the details. Click here to read the article.
What are the differences between private and federal student loans? It's important to know if you have student loans. Writing for Kiplinger, Saki Kurose explains the advantages and disadvantages of refinancing your student loans. Click here to read the article.
In this article, Ginger Szala writes about financial advisors with a niche-based practice on a specific profession, age group, or gender. Because niche-focused advisors, like Chris with a focus on retirement and financial planning for post-divorce women over 50, have specific technical expertise, they can understand and help their clients in a way that generalist-type advisors may not be able to.
In this episode of the Wicked Pissah podcast, Chris Chen, CFP® CDFA joins an esteemed panel including Gina Arons, Psy.D., and Atty. David Kellem to discuss the challenges and benefits of working with clients going through divorce.
Chris Chen, CFP® CDFA joins "Money Talk Tuesday", hosted by the Financial Planning Association of Massachusetts, which covers the financial, legal, and emotional ramifications of divorce.
Do you have an option to take a lump sum or lifetime payments of your pension? The amount offered for a lump sum may be lower than steady payments, but steady payments may be fixed for life and you may loser purchasing power over time. Click here to read Sarah O'Brien's article about what else you might want to consider in making the decision.
Divorce can bring on many challenges like navigating personal finance matters relating to co-parenting. Andrea Browne Taylor writes about 10 things you should be aware of after a divorce, including tax rules, college financial aid, and estate planning.
In this article, Brett Arends examines a do-it-yourself investor's unusual asset allocation which goes against the conventional wisdom on Wall Street to go heavy on U.S. funds.
As the pandemic causes continuing uncertainty for many companies, Sarah O'Brien for CNBC writes about the decision many retiring workers must make: to take a lump sum or lifetime payments from their pension plans and how it depends on the employer's long-term viability. Read the article here.
Ali Malito discusses a personal finance celebrity's opinion on which individual retirement accounts we should be putting our investments into. The right thing to do often depends on the individual and should be based on a strategy to minimize taxes over a lifetime. Check out Ali's article.
In this article, Stephen Andrew shares experts' opinions about a number of ways to use the coronavirus relief stimulus checks to your benefit, including buying stocks, building an emergency fund, and paying debts.
Bob Powell now writing for USA Today addresses the temptation to raid retirement accounts if the crisis has depleted your cash. The bottom line is that you should avoid it if you can.
Writing for Marketwatch, Ali Malito observes that the coronavirus crisis has depleted retirees and pre-retirees assets, putting into question how to manage retirement. We like to think that it starts with a good plan! Check out Ali's article.
Bob Powell from The Street Retirement Daily addresses a widespread tendency for employers to reduce matching contributions to their employees' retirement plans. With Covid-19 ravaging the country, many employers feel that it's the prudent thing to do. Check out this story in The Street.
5/12/2020
The return on annuities is often based on actual rates of interest. With rates at record lows, returns on annuities may be at risk. If you are counting on annuities as part of your plan you may want to consider an alternative strategy according to this article by Brett Arends from MarketWatch
In divorce, you have to make sure to address life insurance. Ashley Chorpenning covers the in and out for Forbes in this article.
If you are one of the many Americans that will be receiving a stimulus payment, you might be wondering what is the best way to use the money? Andrew Keshner from MarketWatch has some ideas.
Wondering how you should manage your personal finances in uncertain times? Lucy Lazarony suggest some steps.
If you have Roth retirement accounts you should consider Ginger Szala's suggestions in Think Advisor.
Each year, the annual peer-nominated Five Star award program honors wealth management professionals who show a commitment to clients, demonstrate strong industry credentials and are evaluated on the quality of their current practice. We are very proud to be part of this program!
Fractional shares offer new possibilities for investing. Consider the example Chris provides for how it could work in real time.
People can be either very for or very against annuities. The reality is that they are complex, and if you are considering annuities, you should understand those complexities, because you will be stuck with them for a long time. Check out Bernice Napach's article on this delicate subject.
Have your ever wondered what makes a retirement plan a Pension versus a 401(k) or 403(b)? Investopedia provides specific detail about each type of plan along with Chris's guidance
Annuities can be a complex and often misunderstood retirement savings tool. Chris discusses the pros and cons of annuities here
Personal longevity is an important factor to consider in retirement planning. Greg Iacurci from Investment News explores the issue here.
When young adults get into debt, they may choose to use the funds in their 401k plan to repay it. Sarah Min here.
McKenzie Bezos: 4 Wealth Strategy Concerns
4/12/2019
Just recently McKenzie and Jeff Bezos settled the terms of their divorce. McKenzie now has some wealth protection issues to consider. Chris discusses what financial planning strategies might apply to McKenzie as she moves foward with her life: https://www.kiplinger.com/article/business/T065-C032-S001-mckenzie-bezos-4-wealth-strategy-concerns.html
Avoiding common mistakes before or during your retirement is important. Chris and other financial advisors discuss what to be mindful of for retirement planning here
In "Financial Advisers Take Issue with Democratic Plans to Tax the Rich", Jeff Benjamin gets the perspective of financial planners about the latest income tax proposals from the Democratic candidates. Financial Planners tend to be more anti-tax than average. I take the opposite side. It's not that I like taxes any more than anyone else. However, I believe in a democracy, we need to each pay our share. Maybe it starts with cutting loopholes for the well off as well as for corporations. Read more here
Rolling Out Robo-Advisors Has Been Challenging For Early Adopters
2/15/2019
Are you considering using a Robo-Advisor for your investment recommendations? Ryan Neal talks to Financial Planners about their experiences and concerns with the technology. The reality is that robo implementation has been difficult. See what Chris has to say here
Have you evaluated your financial health lately? Chris has some ideas about what to consider as you get back on track for success
Alessandra Malito
Are you concerned about the market's wild ride? If you are like most people you will be. Check this article by Ali Malito for MarketWatch for advice on how to cope with market volatility. Chris suggests differentiating funds that are needed for the short term from the funds that are needed for the long term.
For many retirees, even those who have meticulously planned their retirement income, the amount of taxes they are expected to pay may come as an unwelcome surprise. How can you best plan for a tax efficient retirement? Chris Chen and other financial planners offer common sense suggestions in this CNN Money article.
[one_fourth_2_first]10/22/2018[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]NerdWallet[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]Should you pay off your mortgage before you retire?[/one_half_last]
Most people would be better off not having mortgages in retirement. Relatively few will get any tax benefit from this debt, and the payments can get more difficult to manage on fixed incomes. But retiring a mortgage before you retire isn’t always possible. Financial planners recommend creating a Plan B to ensure you don’t wind up house rich and cash poor – see what Chris Chen has to say.
[one_fourth_2_first]10/5/2018[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Kiplinger[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]Divorce Is About to Get More Expensive[/one_half_last]
The change in tax laws affects how alimony and child support are treated, going into effect for agreements signed after the end of the year. So, if divorce is in your near future, it might pay to try to beat the clock, says Chris Chen in this Kiplinger article.
[one_fourth_2_first]9/17/2018[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]NerdWallet[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]Can You Have More than One Insurance Policy?[/one_half_last]
Yes, you can. However your specific needs should drive the number and type of policies you purchase. Read Chris’ input to this story for more information on properly planning for insurance needs.
[one_fourth_2_first]8/7/2018[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Investment News[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]Enough with the surveys saying millenials need to save more for retirement[/one_half_last]
The latest data from a poll of 1,000 Americans age 22 to 37, finds that nearly half of millennials are spending more money on restaurants and dining out than they are putting into retirement accounts. Thirty-two percent spend more on clothes than they save, and more than a quarter reported spending more on coffee, alcohol and online streaming services. See what Chris Chen has to say from a financial planning perspective.
[one_fourth_2_first]7/23/2018[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Associated Press[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]Managing Debt in Retirement takes some Planning[/one_half_last]
Seventy percent of U.S. households headed by people ages 65 to 74 had at least some debt in 2016, according to the Federal Reserve’s latest Survey of Consumer Finances. Because paying debt usually gets more difficult on a fixed income, people have the most options to deal with debt if they create a plan before they retire, financial planners say. Refinancing a mortgage, for example, is usually less of a hassle while people are still employed. It’s also typically easier to generate the extra income that may be needed to pay off debt. Read Chris Chen’s thoughts on generating cash flow is retirement.
[one_fourth_2_first]6/6/2018[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Investopedia[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last] Chris Chen Named Top Advisor[/one_half_last]
Insight Financial Strategists’ own Chris Chen has been named to Investopedia’s Most Influential Advisors list for 2018!
The list celebrates financial advisors who have contributed significantly to conversations about financial literacy, investing strategies, life-stage planning and wealth management.
[one_fourth_2_first]6/15/2018[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]U.S. News and World Report[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]How a Bond Tent Protects Your Nest Egg[/one_half_last]
With a bond tent, an investor gradually allocates a larger portion of his or her portfolio to bonds as he or she nears retirement in order to protect against market downturns. A bond tent can be an appropriate tool for investors who will not have large Social Security payments or pensions, and who will need to rely primarily on income from their portfolio to fund retirement. “The reality is that we cannot predict when a downturn will actually happen and what its magnitude will be. Hence strategies like bond tents are critical to the financial well-being of retirees and near retirees.” says Chris Chen, a financial planner for Insight Financial Strategists in Waltham, Massachusetts.
[one_fourth_2_first]6/13/2018[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]USA Today[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]ESG funds: WHat you need to know about socially responsible investing[/one_half_last]
ESG is a relatively new term in investing. It stands for Environmental, Social and Governance, referring to the three components of what is more widely known as socially responsible investing. In this USA Today article, Bob Powell, with the help of Eric Weigel, Chief Investment Officer at Insight Financial Strategists, explores the intricacies of this style of investment.
[one_fourth_2_first]6/1/2018[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Financial Advisor IQ[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]A Stark Warning for FAs Who Can’t Connect With Widows and Divorcees[/one_half_last]
Advisors focused on capturing next-generation assets should realize there’s a surviving spouse between them and their millennial pot of gold — and, statistically speaking, it’s a woman. Chris Chen of Insight Financial Strategists in Waltham, Mass., agrees recent divorce and widowhood are “emotionally overwhelming” experiences — but he thinks the hands-off element is sometimes temporary. “What they want is to avoid anything that reminds them of the trauma that they just experienced,” says the CDFA. “They want to avoid also what they perceive as the real hard work of getting on top of the financial issues.”
[one_fourth_2_first]5/23/2018[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Bloomberg[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]Trump’s Tax Plan Could Mess Up Your Prenup[/one_half_last]
Under President Trump’s new tax plan, starting in 2019, payers will be no longer be able to deduct their alimony payments. For divorcees in the top tax bracket, the change could mean they effectively pay double in post-tax costs compared to what they had previously agreed to in their prenups. If agreements aren’t amended to factor in the tax changes, it will be up to divorce attorneys to settle — or judges to decide — whether the amounts or formulas still stand for couples who divorce starting next year. “Folks already don’t like paying alimony, so doubling the effective cost would be painful,” said Chris Chen, a financial planner who specializes in divorce-related matters at Insight Financial Strategists.
[one_fourth_2_first]4/25/2018[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Medical Economics[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]Physicians Delve into Start Up Funding[/one_half_last]
Physicians are riding the digital health wave, investing in startup companies long before they reach the public stock markets as technology and regulation disrupt the healthcare industry. Some physicians see the deals as financial investments, others see them as potential future careers, but all of them should keep the significant risks of early-stage companies in mind before jumping in, experts say. Consider the personal credibility of anyone involved in the deal, says Chris Chen, CFP, chief executive of Insight Financial Strategists in Waltham, Mass. “Financials always look good because they are contrived to look good,” he says. In other words, treat any future projections with skepticism. “Beyond that, look at whether the principals are properly motivated and have credibility from doing this work before.”
[one_fourth_2_first]4/26/2018[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Investopedia[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]Tips for Properly Aggregating IRA Accounts[/one_half_last]
If your retirement investments are spread out over multiple individual retirement accounts (IRAs), it may make sense to treat these various accounts as one, a process known as “aggregating.” Aggregation means treating several accounts as one, not actually combining them, and can allow for more efficient planning for distributions and more efficient investment strategy management.
[one_fourth_2_first]3/6/2018[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]MarketWatch[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]This guy lost $10,000 trying to time the market with his credit card[/one_half_last]
Day trading is treacherous, especially in a volatile market. “If you want to compete on that level, you need the weapons,” Chen said. “It’s like going to a gunfight with a knife.” Day trading in a consistent bull market, like the past year and a half has been, can be easier, since you buy, see the prices go up and sell to make a profit. But during volatility, it’s almost impossible to tell what will happen and how long the ups and downs will sustain, he said.
[one_fourth_2_first]2/7/2018[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Kiplinger[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]20 Financial Pros’ Advice for a Crazy Market[/one_half_last]
Just two weeks ago the consensus was that we were going to experience a continuation of the bull market at least into the early part of this year. This is still our view. Read Chris’ thoughts on the recent market turmoil, as well as the views of other financial advisors.
[one_fourth_2_first]1/29/2018[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]USA Today[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]Your Guide to Insuring Someone Else’s Life[/one_half_last]
Buying life insurance on someone else and naming yourself as beneficiary might sound like a plot point in a film noir mystery. But taking out a policy on another person makes good sense in some situations. Whether you can do it, though, depends on your relationship and having the other person’s consent.
[one_fourth_2_first]1/26/2018[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Prime Rates[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]Credit Card Basics: How Credit Cards Work[/one_half_last]
Credit cards can be a useful convenience when used for day-to-day expenses and paid off at the end of the month, says Chris Chen, a certified financial planner and wealth strategist at Insight Financial Strategists in Boston. “In some cases, it’s very difficult to function without a credit card — for hotels and rentals cars, for instance,” he says. He adds that they are also useful for online shopping, since credit cards offer far more protections than debit cards.
[one_fourth_2_first]1/5/2018[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Magnify Money[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]Should Foreign Nationals Contribute to a 401k?[/one_half_last]
Many non-native workers in the U.S. are young professionals hired by firms seeking workers with highly valued skills. In 2016, more than 870,000 foreign nationals were granted the most common temporary work visas. Should these workers consider contributing to company sponsored plans? This article provides important considerations in answering that question.
[one_fourth_2_first]12/17/2017[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Reuters[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]Get ready for a flood of difficult divorces in 2018[/one_half_last]
Acrimonious couples who were racing to get divorced by Dec. 31 or face dire tax consequences can breathe a sigh of relief. The final tax overhaul bill gives them until the end of 2018 before completely upending the divorce process.
[one_fourth_2_first]11/11/2017[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Kiplinger[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]Should You Open a Store Credit Card?[/one_half_last]
If you’ve decided that a store card isn’t right for you, stay strong and don’t let the sales associate persuade you. “Their job is to get you to sign up,” says Chris Chen, a Massachusetts-based CFP.
[one_fourth_2_first]11/2017[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Kiplinger[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]Divorce Alert: Tax Bill Targets Alimony Deduction[/one_half_last]
Written into the fabric of the new GOP tax proposal is a change in how alimony is taxed. People paying alimony could lose “the greatest tax deduction ever.” And that could ultimately affect those receiving alimony, too.
[one_fourth_2_first]11/6/2017[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Reuters[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]Splitting Retirement Money is Tricky for DIY Divorce[/one_half_last]
While many couples dissolve their marriages without significant legal involvement, divvying up retirement accounts, particularly pensions, is thorny. Doing it without a proper legal agreement could stick you with a hefty tax bill and penalties. In some cases, one party may end up with nothing.
[one_fourth_2_first]11/6/2017[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]SheInvests[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]Why Women Should Rethink Their Finances After Divorce[/one_half_last]
For women, divorcing an income-providing, money-managing spouse is bound to do damage to the bottom line – and force some changes. However, with proper planning and education, uncoupling can offer independence and financial power as well.
[one_fourth_2_first]11/2/2017[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Investopedia[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]The New Wave of Socially Responsible Investors[/one_half_last]
In this article, Chris Chen and Eric Weigel explain the new trend toward socially responsible investing (SRI) and the accompanying environmental, social and governance (ESG) metrics used by investment managers, as well as the evolution of these strategies over time, and important considerations for interested investors.
[one_fourth_2_first]10/30/2017[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]CNBC[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]Getting the Flu Can Wreak Havoc on Your Finances[/one_half_last]
Getting the flu shot should be a no-brainer,” says certified financial planner Chris Chen, wealth strategist with Insight Financial Strategists in Waltham, Massachusetts. “The low or free cost of the shot is one of the great deals of everyday living, given what it can cost if you get the flu.”
[one_fourth_2_first]10/24/2017[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Wicked Local Lexington[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]Senior Programs in Lexington[/one_half_last]
Economic and Finance Lecture Series — Money Management & Investment: Retirement: 2 p.m. Nov. 1. Wealth strategist Jim Wood from Insight Financial Strategists LLC will present money management considerations for one’s pre-retirement “accumulation period” and their post retirement “distribution period” at the Lexington Community Center. Call 781-698-4870 to sign up.
[one_fourth_2_first]10/10/2017[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Investment News[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]Searing Lessons from the Crash of 1987[/one_half_last]
Nearly thirty years ago, on Oct. 19, 1987, investors and advisers learned a lesson about stock market volatility that has stayed with them to this day. “I had recently graduated from graduate school with an MBA,” said Chris Chen, a financial planner with Insight Financial Strategists. “Everyone I knew who went to Wall Street that year got laid off.”
[one_fourth_2_first]8/14/2017[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]US News & World Report[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]Why Women Should Rethink their Finances after Divorce[/one_half_last]
Going from a dual-income household in marriage to a single-income household is a big change. “Alimony and child support are not forever,” Chen says. “You have to plan for when it ends: Continue advancing your career to progress from a lower-paying job, and make sure your expenses are lined up at the right level.”
[one_fourth_2_first]7/2017[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Kiplingers[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]To Roth 401k or Not to Roth 401k[/one_half_last]
Read Chris Chen’s take on a new Harvard Business School study that found that employees tend to contribute the same amount to either a Roth or traditional 401(k), indicating some employee confusion around the tax advantages and impacts.
[one_fourth_2_first]6/28/2017[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]The DO: Money Matters[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]Controlling the Urge to Splurge: Car Buying[/one_half_last]
“New doctors have a lot of pent-up consumption, so it’s natural that they would want to splurge a little,” says Chris Chen, a certified financial planner with Insight Financial Strategists in Waltham, Massachusetts. But giving into temptation and plunking down a wad of cash on a BMW or a Lexus can be a terrible financial mistake, Chen says. Find out why.
[one_fourth_2_first]6/23/2017[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]AJC.com[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]How to Split Insurance in Divorce[/one_half_last]
Don’t neglect to review your insurance coverage amid the grief and complicated logistics of breaking up. The right insurance creates a financial safety net for the fresh start ahead, and this article outlines the checklist you should be using.
[one_fourth_2_first]6/6/2017[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Investopedia[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]8 Reasons to Never Borrow from your 401(k)[/one_half_last]
In this article, we’ll go over eight major reasons why you should focus on keeping your 401(k) plan until retirement, rather than using it as a piggy bank.
[one_fourth_2_first]6/6/2017[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Financial Advisor Magazine[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]Can Video Gaming Become A Financial Advisor Tool?[/one_half_last]
A rising number of financial advisors nationwide believe that virtual reality (VR) technology geared to financial planning will help clients overcome their limited ability to envision their golden years. Learn more about these tools under development.
[one_fourth_2_first]6/13/2017[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]FinancialAdvisorIQ[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]Advisors Weigh In On Personal Meaning of Fiduciary[/one_half_last]
As the Department of Labor’s rules that govern the practice of advising clients on investments take effect, advisors provide insight into their individual philosophy and personal ethical considerations that will guide their roles as fiduciaries.
[one_fourth_2_first]6/14/2017[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]SavvyMoney[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]Buying Assets Together When You Are Not Planning Marriage[/one_half_last]
If you’re planning to remain in a relationship without getting married, consider these guidelines before putting down cash on an investment like a home or car. You owe it to yourself and your partner to be prepared — just in case.
[one_fourth_2_first]5/2/2017[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]SavvyMoney[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]Here’s How to Preload Your Spending[/one_half_last]
Check out these tips on how to pre-load your spending, a classic method to ensure that you don’t overspend. Advance planning and a thoughtful approach to spending can help you meet your financial goals.
[one_fourth_2_first]4/3/2017[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Insurance News Net[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]Recession Scars Still Impacting Advisors[/one_half_last]
Many baby boomers are still wounded financially by the the Great Recession of 2008. Advisors can help them recover, although many are hesitant to seek advice.
[one_fourth_2_first]3/6/2017[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Investment News[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]Clients Fret as Bull Market Reaches 8th Birthday[/one_half_last]
Advisors are fielding questions and concerns from clients worried about the current bull market’s advanced age, and reminding them to take a long term view with respect to their savings and investments.
[one_fourth_2_first]2/15/2017[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]LifeHealthPro.com[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]DOL Rule, Dodd-Frank Up in the Air[/one_half_last]
The DOL fiduciary rule was passed last year to mandate that advisors’ advice should only be in the client’s best interest. Dodd-Frank was passed and implemented in the wake of the Great Recession to help prevent another crash. The Trump administration has suggested that they wanted to get rid of the DOL rule and Dodd Frank.
[one_fourth_2_first]2/15/2017[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]MSNBC[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]5 Mistakes to avoid when rebalancing a portfolio[/one_half_last]
It is accepted wisdom that portfolios need to be re-balanced. Yet this is task that is more complicated than at first blush.
[one_fourth_2_first]2/03/2017[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Investor’s Business Daily[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]Making Sense of Tough Long Term Care Choices[/one_half_last]
Long Term Care is a critical and complex aspect of a retirement plan. Yet it is often not addressed very well. For most people it is well worth the effort. Check also this blog post by Jim Wood.
[one_fourth_2_first]12/22/2016[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]The Balance[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]The Right Way to Gift Money to Your Kids[/one_half_last]
Giving money to kids can be more complicated than giving a toy. Jean Chatzky goes over some of the key considerations
[one_fourth_2_first]12/15/2016[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]SFGate[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]Massachusetts Posts Lowest Student Loan Rate in Country[/one_half_last]
Student loans are a major investment these days, leading to a substantial average default rate ranging from 18.9% in New Mexico to 6.1% in Massachusetts, according to Nerdwallet.
[one_fourth_2_first]12/8/2016[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Magnify Money[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]What a Fed rate hike means for you[/one_half_last]
The Federal Reserve came through with its long awaited interest rate increase this December 2016. A quarter point increase is small, but it still has impact on people’s finances.
[one_fourth_2_first]11/30/2016[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Investment News[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]5 Financial Mistakes Divorcing Men Make[/one_half_last]
Obviously, men also make mistakes when they divorce. Did we mention the obvious path to try to avoid these mistakes?
[one_fourth_2_first]11/29/2016[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Investment News[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]5 Financial Mistakes Divorcing Women Make[/one_half_last]
There appears to be a gender divide about divorce attitudes that leads to mistakes that women tend to make more than men. In my opinion, the divide is not so much about gender as it is about the relative power of the parties.
[one_fourth_2_first]11/28/2016[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]USA Today[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]5 Ways to Make the Last 10 Years Before Retirement Count[/one_half_last]
For many, the last few years before retirement is a planning scramble. Despair not! There are still things you can do if you are late starting.
[one_fourth_2_first]11/11/2016[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]USA Today[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]10 Financial Advisers Tell What Moves to Make After the Election[/one_half_last]
It is critically important not to overreact to the new administration. In the end, the US economy will outlast Trump .
[one_fourth_2_first]11/9/2016[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Bloomberg[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]Is Trump Going to Mess with your Investments? Seven Tips[/one_half_last]
A lot of things will change with the new Trump administration. However, if you have a strong long term plan, things will probably work out. If not, get a long term plan! For the short run, you may want to mitigate risks.
[one_fourth_2_first]11/9/2016[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]NerdWallet[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]Postelection Market Concerns? Here’s how Investors Can Cope[/one_half_last]
Notwithstanding the post election market rally we are likely to face a few bumpy roads ahead. It is important not to panic and not to lose sight of long term goals.
[one_fourth_2_first]10/25/2016[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Investopedia[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]Divorce and Retirement Accounts: What You Need to Know[/one_half_last]
In this Investopedia piece, I review some of the issues with divorce and retirement accounts.
[one_fourth_2_first]10/20/2016[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]CNS News[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]How to Ditch Your Bank[/one_half_last]
Who has never been annoyed at their bank? In the wake of the Wells Fargo scandal, this article by Jeanne Lee of Nerdwallet explores the steps to take when you want to ditch your bank!
[one_fourth_2_first]8/17/2016[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]PR Buzz[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]Seven Visual Steps to Yes[/one_half_last]
A plug for a new book on negotiating from Janet Miller Wiseman. This new book outlines a practical way to negotiate disagreements. Janet Miller Wiseman is a Certified Family and Divorce Mediator and a co-founder of the Massachusetts Council on Family Mediation. She is also the author of Mediation Therapy: Short-Term Decision Making for Couples and Families in Crisis.
[one_fourth_2_first]10/4/2016[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Investment News[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]Advisers call Trump prudent with taxes in avoiding years of payments[/one_half_last]
Mark Schoeff at Investment News asked if Trump’s tax avoidance is legal and/or moral, and if it is evidence of the famous Trump business acumen.
[one_fourth_2_first]9/27/2016[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Bloomberg[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]Spouses Are Hiding Their Retirement Savings from Each Other[/one_half_last] Suzanne Wooley at Bloomberg wonders if spouses hide retirement savings from one another . She cites a Fidelity study that states that 43% of people do not know how much their partner makes, much less how much is in their partner’s retirement account. Most people also have no idea what they would need to keep up their lifestyle in retirement.
Why might that be? According to Suzanne’s article, they are a range of factors ranging from people hiding their finances to people not having a culture of talking about money (this is my contribution to Suzanne’s article).
Regardless it seems that most of us could use a course in financial communications .
[one_fourth_2_first]9/27/2016[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Bloomberg[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]This investing robot could juice your returns by 15%[/one_half_last]
Suzanne Wooley writes in this Bloomberg article that the Betterment robo advisor can now optimize for taxes as well as asset allocation. It sounds like a compelling solution.
After testing the Betterment, it occurred to me that a client had better understand asset allocation, and now taxes as well, if they want to make good decisions. Sure a robot can implement anything you tell them, but you still need to give them the right input!
A robo cannot integrate tax loss harvesting in one account in your wider financial strategy, including your overall tax planning, legacy planning, risk management and coordinate various accounts.
With the current state of development, robo advisors are best used as a tool for Certified Financial Planner professionals, maybe not so much for end users directly.
[one_fourth_2_first]9/21/2016[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]MarketWatch[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]What to do with your home when you’re divorcing – if you’re not Brad and Angelina[/one_half_last]
In the wake of the Brangelina divorce, Dan Goldstein of MarketWatch delves into the issues of disposing of your home when you are divorcing.
[one_fourth_2_first]8/2016[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]CNBC[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]Suddenly Single: The Realities of Going From Two to One[/one_half_last]
There is nothing easy about divorce or widowhood. Ilana Polyak’s article in CNBC summarizes the issues
[one_fourth_2_first]8/2016[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]CNBC[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]401(k) Nightmares: What NOT to do with retirement-plan cash[/one_half_last]
There are still too many people who feel compelled to raid their 401(k) in times of stress. This article by Debbie Nason for CNBC captures the issues.
[one_fourth_2_first]7/31/2016[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Forbes[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]What Financial Planners Wish You Were Doing About College Savings[/one_half_last]
Kate Ashford at Forbes reviews some of the critical decisions about college financing.
[one_fourth_2_first]7/2016[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Forbes[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]45% of Grads Say College Wasn’t Worth The Cost[/one_half_last]
It is unfortunate that so many people feel that college was not worth it. Kate Ashford at Forbes explores the issues
[one_fourth_2_first]7/2016[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Kiplinger[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]Is Your Portfolio Really Diversified?[/one_half_last]
Diversification is an oft misunderstood concept. This article by Chris Chen reviews some of the issues.
[one_fourth_2_first]5/3/2016[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Nerd Wallet[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage?[/one_half_last]
People often want to know how fast they should pay off their mortgage. It sounds obvious (as soon as possible), but it may not be.
[one_fourth_2_first]4/2016[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Kiplinger[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]Estate Planning Advice Inspired by Prince[/one_half_last]
What should Prince have done about his estate planning. Unfortunately, Prince left quite a challenge behind.
[one_fourth_2_first]4/2016[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Investment News[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]10 Advisers with Twitter Power[/one_half_last]
Chris Chen is happy to figure prominently on this list!
[one_fourth_2_first]4/2016[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Kiplinger[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]9 Tax Tips to Save Money Next Year[/one_half_last]
[one_fourth_2_first]4/11/2016[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Investment News[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]Smoking Out the Right Way to Invest in the Marijuana Movement[/one_half_last]
[one_fourth_2_first]3/4/2016[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Investment News[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]What the Apple-FBI Feud means for financial advisors and privacy rights[/one_half_last]
[one_fourth_2_first]1/26/2016[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Huffington Post Business[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]5 Questions to Ask Before Applying for a Business Line of Credit[/one_half_last]
[one_fourth_2_first]12/17/2015[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Forbes[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]Insiders’ Guide to Buying Life Insurance[/one_half_last]
[one_fourth_2_first]12/16/2015[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Wealth Management[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]After Rate Hike, CDs Could Make a Comeback[/one_half_last]
[one_fourth_2_first]12/4/2015[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Investment News[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]2015 Tips for Advisers’ Tech and Taxes[/one_half_last]
[one_fourth_2_first]11/2015[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Kiplinger[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]4 Year End Financial Planning Tips[/one_half_last]
[one_fourth_2_first]11/10/2015[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]CNBC[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]Worried You’ll Outlive Assets? Consider a longevity annuity[/one_half_last]
[one_fourth_2_first]10/06/2015[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Investment News[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]‘Ladders’ Help You Build a Flexible Personal Finance Plan[/one_half_last]
[one_fourth_2_first]09/04/2015 [/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Investment News[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]Advisers Scramble to Head Off Sticker Shock from Clients over Ugly August Account Statements[/one_half_last]
[one_fourth_2_first]09/03/2015[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Go Banking Rates[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]What Your Financial Advisor Secretly Thinks About You[/one_half_last]
[one_fourth_2_first]08/24/2015[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Boston Globe[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]Market Blues[/one_half_last]
[one_fourth_2_first]08/2015[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Kiplinger[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]The Importance of Professional Financial Advice in Divorce[/one_half_last]
[one_fourth_2_first]07/29/2015[/one_fourth_2_first][one_fourth_2]Investment News[/one_fourth_2]
[one_half_last]Microsoft Unveils Windows 10, but advisers wait to see about security, features[/one_half_last]
Publications
Health Insurance Taxation Issues Post-Divorce
by Chris Chen, CFP®, CDFATM and Justin L. Kelsey, Esq.
Unintended Consequences of “An Act to Reform and Improve Alimony,” in Massachusetts: Avoiding the Pitfalls on the Road to Reform
by Janet Miller Wiseman, Certified Divorce Mediator, Jeanne Kangas, Esquire, and Howard Goldstein, Esquire, Chris Chen, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst.
Originally published by the Boston Bar Association.