Our Commentary

In last week’s column, I discussed all the reasons that 2009 should see a significant economic and stock market recovery. I also noted that there were a number of scenarios that could derail a recovery and push us deeper into recession.   Unfavorable scenarios Perhaps the greatest risk is that the credit crunch worsens as banks […]

The year 2008 was the worst year for the stock market since the Great Depression. In the United States, the stock market plunged nearly 40% while international stocks suffered an even worse fate. The primary catalyst was the subprime debacle which began to show itself in mid-2007, compounded by mismanagement of some of America’s once most revered […]

Whew! 2008 is finally behind us and what a year it was! The stock market fell 40%; millions of people lost their jobs; and some of our top executives became the ‘beggars of Wall Street’. So what is 2009 likely to bring us? While it’s impossible to know, my best guess is that things will get worse during the […]

In a world where investor confidence has been shattered by massive mismanagement by top executives in the banking, insurance, mortgage lending, stock brokerage and auto industry fields, now comes the greatest Ponzi scheme in history. Bernard Madoff has reportedly admitted and is accused of bilking experienced investors worldwide out of an estimated $50 billion. There are many […]

Ben Bernanke, as Chairman of the Federal Reserve, is continuing his efforts to stop our economy from free-falling. This past Tuesday, in yet one more unprecedented move, the Federal Reserve cut the Federal Funds Rate from 1% to a ‘target’ rate of 0% to 0.25%, the lowest rate in history. The Fed Funds Rate is a […]

As 2008 comes to a close, everyone is focused on our faltering economy and declining stock market. However, it would be a mistake to miss the opportunity of doing tax planning before the end of the year. Here are my top strategies for you to consider:   Convert to a Roth IRA. One benefit of a huge stock […]

This year more than ever, you will want to keep tight control on your holiday spending. With the economy in the tank and unemployment rising, your best defense is well, a good defense. Follow these four steps to stay on budget and out of debt:   Step 1. Determine the total amount of money you can afford to […]

Many retirees are worried about the survivability of their retirement investments in the face of breathtaking stock market losses. As panic has begun to set in, millions of once-sane investors have thrown in the towel. Over the next several months, those who have cashed out will realize that the interest being paid on the money market account […]

As General Motors, Chrysler and Ford request federal funds, we as taxpayers should ask tough questions of our congressional representatives. After all, in the end, it’s our money they are committing and our future and the future of our children they are mortgaging. Short answers of ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to the bailout requests are not sufficient to […]

Now that we know who will have his hands on the reins of power in Washington next year, tax planning for 2008 just got easier. In addition to what I discussed last week, here are some other strategies you should consider: Income and expense shifting. Review your income and expenses and, to the extent possible, shift […]