Active Wealth Management over the last five years and CIG’s Approach
As has generally been true since the market turn in 2009, active investing over the last five years has been especially difficult. Traditionally, active wealth management meant active investors sought to buy the highest quality companies at the cheapest price. However, a review of stock prices since 2014 reveals this strategy has been hard to […]
Why is employing an active investment strategy important today?
Successful investing in the future will look different. During the current bull market (a period over the last 10 years where stock prices have risen consistently), passive investment strategies have reigned supreme. A buy and hold strategy allowed an investor to ride the market up. All without having to do a lot of critical evaluation […]
Using 529s as a tax-free gifting tool
529 plans can be a fantastic way to save for education expenses, but did you know they can also be used as a key part of your family’s gifting plan (i.e., estate plan), even if you don’t have children or intend to use the money for college or K-12 approved tuition expenses. The key here […]
CIG Asset Management Update June 2019: Economic War Throttles Market in May
China and the U.S. entered into an economic war in May and the markets suffered. Very quickly we have moved past the stage of trade tensions, trade frictions, a trade dispute, or even a tariff war between two superpowers. At month end, tariffs were also announced on Mexico. Given the ratcheting up of national security […]
Find your 529 plan’s Magic Savings Number
A quick glance at the tuition page of a favorite college or university’s website is enough to give parents or grandparents sticker shock. Tuition has grown faster than inflation for more than two decades, long to enough to drive the average annual cost of a public four-year college in 2018-2019 to $10,230 for in-state tuition […]
Physician Retirement Planning: Is Your Paycheck Today Endangering your Lifestyle Tomorrow?
PHYSICIAN RETIREMENT PLANNING Proper physician retirement planning can help you keep living as you do now. Does your current cash flow strategy support your long-term financial health? Your cash flow habits today, or how you spend your paycheck and other income derived from working as a physician, may negatively affect your retirement years. The lack […]
CIG Asset Management May 2019 Update: Stocks Continued their Run in April
In April, The Federal Reserve continued to buoy the U.S. stock markets with statements about being patient and leaving open the possibility that the next move could be a rate cut. The S&P 500(1) broke through the key 2900 level and was up 3.9% last month, putting it up 18% year-to-date. International equities increased 2.8%, […]
CIG Asset Management April 2019 Update
Following the very difficult end of 2018, stocks made a strong comeback in the first quarter of 2019, and most of it hinged on the Federal Reserve. We have come a long way since Fed Chairman Powell appeared to drive down the market on October 3 with these comments: “The extremely accommodating low interest rates […]
Securing your wishes through charitable giving
Charitable giving plays an important role in many financial plans. However, many people tend to approach charitable giving as a quick exercise they think about once a year. In reality, it requires thoughtful planning, especially if you’re making larger charitable gifts, to ensure your wishes for your money both now and in the future are […]
Positioning your assets to pay for long-term care
One of the most likely expenses in retirement is often one of the most over-looked: paying for long-term care. With healthcare costs continuing to escalate and people living longer, the problem will only continue to grow. Are your assets positioned to help you pay for this possible retirement expense? There are three common strategies used […]