Top Advisor Firm Award

We are proud to be listed among the Top Defined Contribution Advisor Firms by the National Association of Plan Advisors. A number of factors went into making this distinguished list, including having three offices in Knoxville, Chattanooga and Tri-Cities, the quality of retirement advice and an excess of $1 billion in defined contribution assets under advisement. We love serving our …

Is Volatility Here to Stay?

No portfolio has been immune to market volatility in 2018.  A common industry measurement of stock market volatility is The Chicago Board of Options Exchange (CBOE) Volatility Index, aka “VIX”.  The VIX tracks the expected 30-day volatility using S&P 500 options. A lower VIX number (10) suggests lower expected short-term volatility, whereas a higher number (22) implies turbulent markets ahead. …

Bitcoin: Boom or Bubble?

Bitcoin has been all over the news lately as the cryptocurrency has continued to skyrocket in value. In 2017, Bitcoin rose almost 1,400 percent (from $900.86 to $13,444.88), and that was after a big drop in December. That meteoric rise caught the attention of the media, and in late 2017 and early 2018, Bitcoin spread to new audiences due to …

Charitable Giving: Not a One Trick Pony

The beginning of a new year presents an opportunity for investors to recalibrate and review their goals. Often among these is a renewed endeavor to give back in a charitable fashion. While it may seem counterintuitive, the appropriate planning techniques make it possible to maximize return, enhance tax efficiency and satisfy philanthropic ambitions. In lieu of traditional donations, these techniques …

Examining the personal debt bubble

As the United States recovered from the Great Recession, a lot of people paid down personal debt and increased their savings. As the economy has improved, Americans have gone back to spending. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, personal debt rose in the 4th quarter of 2017, marking the 14th consecutive quarter with an increase. As of …

Normal Can Feel Scary

While this image captures many different scenarios, it certainly applies to the recent market activity.  Be sure to give us a call if you’d like to talk through the latest changes and your accounts. Imagine being in a boat in the ocean on a very still day. No wind. No swell. The water is as flat as a mirror. The …

How the New Tax Structure Affects You

In late 2017, Congress passed a new tax law that will affect your taxes in 2018. There were many changes to the tax structure, both for people and businesses that may affect your decisions this year and come tax time next year. Here are some ways the new tax law will affect individuals. Limits on state and local tax (SALT) …

Retirement Savings Checklist for 2018

When people make their resolutions for the new year, money is one of the most common themes. Whether it’s paying down debt, increasing savings, deciding to start a business or planning a vacation, money often touches our goals for the new year, whether directly or indirectly. Making sure your retirement savings is in order should be a priority for you …