“You are not truly diversified until you own something you are really uncomfortable with” – Peter Bernstein
ACTION POINT
RESOLVE TO BE A MORE EFFECTIVE GIVER THIS YEAR
Combine head and heart Get to know: organization leadership programs Ask for: Strategic plan Annual reports 990 IRS form Watch this Episode
ON THE BOOKSHELF
“Everyone I know who has read it has been mesmerized. And as Mae West used to say, goodness had nothing to do with it!” “Another much mentioned favorite among investment pros is The Signal and the Noise by Nate Silver, a now famous political analyst who tackles the art of prediction and his thoughtful approach […]
AMODEO & BENZ: MINIMIZING YOUR TAX PAIN
Regardless of what happens with the “fiscal cliff”, the economy, markets or the deficit, you name it, you are looking at climbing tax rate over the next few years. Our guests this week are two pros who can help you plan ahead with a tax-efficiency plan. Christine Benz is Director of Personal Finance and Senior Columnist for Morningstar.com, where she gives sound advice on just about everything having to do with managing your finances. Our other guest is Robert Amodeo, Head of Municipals at Western Asset Management, who was named Municipal Manager of the Year by Institutional Investor Magazine in 2011. The taxman cometh, so you’d better be ready.
IDENTIFY SOME TAX AVOIDANCE STRATEGIES TO BOOST YOUR INVESTMENT RETURNS
Tax avoidance strategies include: Re-visit municipal bonds Put higher tax investments in tax deferred accounts Emphasize tax efficient strategies including: index funds, ETFs, and individual stocks Watch This Episode
CHECK OUT THE IMPACT COSTS ARE HAVING ON YOUR PORTFOLIO
Use Vanguard’s “The Truth About Costs” tool on their website – you can see the returns lost and the returns kept over different periods of time depending upon the expense ratio paid and the average annual return you are expecting. Watch this Episode
