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Menu * Home * What to Expect * What We Do * Our Process * Our Services * Our Team * Our Fiduciary Promise * Who We Serve * High Net Worth Families * Independent Women * Retirees * Business Owners * Executives * Nonprofits & Foundations * Education * Blog * Estate * Insurance * Investment * Money * Retirement * Tax * Contact * Contact Us * Client Login BLOG SMALL AND SIMPLE THINGS Steven C. Merrell Friday, June 14, 2024 Despite living in one of the richest nations in the history of the world, many Americans struggle with financial security. According to the Federal Reserve’s 2023 Report on the Economic Well-Being of US Households, almost 40 percent of... Read More PLANNING TO LEAVE Steven C. Merrell Thursday, June 6, 2024 Q: Every year, I promise myself that I am going to escape California for someplace with more reasonable tax rates. But I hear moves like that can be tricky with California tax authorities. What should I do to make my move as painless... Read More CAN CHATGPT PLAN MY RETIREMENT? Steven C. Merrell Thursday, May 30, 2024 Retirement planning is deeply personal and complex, with numerous financial, emotional, and logistical considerations. Generative AI models like ChatGPT promise to revolutionize retirement planning. But don’t get too excited just yet.... Read More THE TRUTH ABOUT "PASSIVE" INCOME Zachariah HarneyThursday, May 23, 2024 Passive income has long been heralded as the end goal of the good life—the dream of sipping drinks on a beach as your bank account grows. Earning money while you sleep and abandoning the modern work week sounds appealing, but it’s... Read More A NEW DAY FOR CRYPTO? Steven C. Merrell Thursday, May 16, 2024 I just finished reading Michael Lewis’s latest book, Going Infinite: The Rise & Fall of a New Tycoon. It tells the story of cryptocurrency wunderkind Sam Bankman-Fried—SBF to his friends—and his fall from crypto grace. The story is... Read More THINK ABOUT YOUR PORTFOLIO Steven C. Merrell Thursday, May 9, 2024 Most professions bear their own unique social burdens—people looking for advice in casual social settings. CPAs often get random questions about taxes. Attorneys are pumped for free advice on legal matters. My son-in-law is a... Read More SHOW ALL PREPARING FOR THE JOB HUNT Steven C. Merrell Thursday, May 2, 2024 The strength of the labor market is truly remarkable. The last time the jobless rate was this low for this long, Richard Nixon was settling into his first term in the White House, Neil Armstrong was walking on the moon, and a gallon of... Read More TYING UP LOOSE ENDS Steven C. Merrell Thursday, April 25, 2024 As Ferris Bueller famously said, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” His sagacious advice also applies to our financial lives. Once in a while, we should stop and take a... Read More BOND BUYER BASICS Steven C. Merrell Thursday, April 18, 2024 Sooner or later, every serious investor confronts two important questions: 1) what are bonds, and 2) how do they fit in my portfolio? The following discussion should help answer these questions, but I must warn you—bonds are complex.... Read More BEATING RETIREMENT ANGST Steven C. Merrell Thursday, April 11, 2024 Are you feeling anxious about your financial life? If so, you are not alone. In fact, according to a recently published study, one-third of Americans say they do not feel financially secure—the highest proportion recorded in the... Read More NUDGING TOWARD SUCCESS Steven C. Merrell Thursday, April 4, 2024 In last week’s column, I discussed insights from Daniel Kahneman’s Thinking, Fast and Slow. Kahneman, the 2002 Nobel Prize laureate in economics, passed away last week, the day after I submitted my column for publication. His... Read More THE BENEFIT OF THINKING SLOW Steven C. Merrell Thursday, March 28, 2024 My first foray into the financial markets came in the summer of 1985. I somehow secured an internship working for one of the smartest people I have ever known at a regional brokerage firm in Memphis, Tennessee. My boss and I were... Read More SAFEGUARDING OUR ECONOMIC STABILITY Steven C. Merrell Thursday, March 21, 2024 Q: With political rhetoric heating up, I’m not sure what to think about the Federal Reserve. Pundits of all stripes are bashing the Fed. If it has so many critics, why do we need it? Is it really all that important? A: Everyone loves... Read More SHOULD I GET A NEW ADVISOR? Steven C. Merrell Thursday, March 14, 2024 Q: Not much is happening in my investment account. If my holdings rarely change, I sometimes wonder what I am paying my advisor to do. What do you think? Is it time to get a new advisor? A: You raise a very interesting and important... Read More LEVERAGE POINTS Steven C. Merrell Thursday, March 7, 2024 Leverage is a powerful concept. With leverage, a relatively small input can create a disproportionately large output. The Greek mathematician and inventor Archimedes memorably captured this idea when he said, “Give me a lever... Read More BUYING REAL ESTATE IN YOUR IRA Steven C. Merrell Thursday, February 29, 2024 Q: I have amassed a significant amount of money in my IRA. Recently, I found an income property that I’d like to buy. I read that IRA money can be used to buy real estate. How do I do that? A: I’ve written about this before... Read More OVERCOMING FINANCIAL FATALISM IN YOUNGER GENERATIONS Zachariah HarneyThursday, February 22, 2024 As a financial advisor, as well as being an older millennial myself, I've encountered a pervasive trend among younger generations: fatalism about their financial future. Many millennials and Gen Z individuals express a sense of... Read More REDUCE THE NOISE; BOOST THE SIGNAL Steven C. Merrell Wednesday, February 14, 2024 Last week, I discussed the challenge of maintaining a sense of purpose in a noisy world. Unless we intentionally filter out noise, our sense of purpose—our “signal”—can be overwhelmed, and eventually lost.... Read More NOISE VERSUS SIGNAL Steven C. Merrell Thursday, February 8, 2024 Several years ago, a friend introduced me to the world of amateur radio. I studied for the exam, got my license, and bought a radio. I am no expert, as my friend will attest, but it has been a wonderful opportunity to learn valuable... Read More SUPERFUNDING 529 PLAN CONTRIBUTIONS Steven C. Merrell Thursday, February 1, 2024 Although 529 plans have been around for almost thirty years, many fail to appreciate what a powerful financial planning tool they can be. 529 plans are to college what Roth IRAs are to retirement—an effective and tax-efficient... Read More GRANDPARENTS AND 529 PLANS Steven C. Merrell Thursday, January 25, 2024 Q: My financial advisor suggested that I set up a 529 plan account for my granddaughter. I have two questions: first, is it better for parents or grandparents to open the 529 plan account? I have heard conflicting reports on that.... Read More CAN I TRUST MY STOCKBROKER? Steven C. Merrell Thursday, January 18, 2024 Q: I’ve been working with the same stockbroker for the past several years. My performance wasn’t very good last year, and this year is off to a rocky start. I wonder if the arrangement is as good for me as it is for him.... Read More COPING WITH CALIFORNIA'S INSURANCE SHORTAGE Steven C. Merrell Thursday, January 11, 2024 Q: My homeowner’s insurance is a mess. I have lived in the Monterey area for many years. I always paid my premiums on time and never filed a claim, but I lost my coverage last year when my insurance company said they... Read More SEVEN FINANCIAL RESOLUTIONS FOR A PROSPEROUS 2024 Steven C. Merrell Thursday, January 4, 2024 As we roll into a new year, many of us reflect on our past and think about our future. I am grateful for the new beginnings each New Year brings. It’s like a breath of fresh air—an open invitation to make needed course... Read More EVERY YES IS A NO: THE TRUTH OF OPPORTUNITY COST Zachariah HarneyWednesday, December 27, 2023 We say “yes” to countless things every single day—whether it be a purchase, accepting a task or invite, or even giving something our attention. Most of the time, these are not conscious decisions, but automatic... Read More INTENTIONAL HOLIDAY GIVING WITH DONOR ADVISED FUNDS Zachariah HarneyThursday, December 21, 2023 As the end of the year approaches, we enter a season of giving, reflection and celebration. The holidays offer us a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact for causes we care about. For younger children, it’s a time of... Read More BEWARE THE PITFALLS IN SELF-DIRECTED IRAS Steven C. Merrell Thursday, December 14, 2023 The total amount invested in individual retirement accounts (IRAs) continues to grow. According to the Investment Company Institute, Americans have invested more than $15 trillion in IRAs. As the money invested in IRAs has increased,... Read More QUESTIONS ABOUT INHERITED IRAS Steven C. Merrell Thursday, December 7, 2023 Q: When my uncle passed away in spring of 2022, he left me half of his large IRA. I thought the IRA was supposed to deplete within 10 years of my uncle’s death, but someone recently told me I’m still eligible for a stretch... Read More GETTING SMART ABOUT CHARITABLE DONATIONS Steven C. Merrell Thursday, November 30, 2023 It’s the time of year when many charities approach their supporters for end-of-year donations. If you plan on making year-end charitable donations, there are ways to do it that will not only support a worthwhile cause, but also... Read More FINDING THE RIGHT ADVISOR, PART 2 Steven C. Merrell Thursday, November 16, 2023 Last week’s column explained how to begin your search for the right financial advisor. We navigated the alphabet soup of financial credentials, highlighting three designations that are particularly worthwhile (AIF, CFP®, and... Read More FINDING THE RIGHT ADVISOR, PART 1 Steven C. Merrell Thursday, November 9, 2023 Readers of my column discover pretty quickly that I’m a big fan of financial planning. It isn’t just my profession; it is my passion. Anybody can live a better, more satisfying, and ultimately more successful financial life... Read More BEATING CREDIT CARD INERTIA Steven C. Merrell Thursday, November 2, 2023 Thanks to COVID relief payments, many emerged from the pandemic with balance sheets stronger than they had been in years. However, when COVID payments stopped, many consumers turned to credit cards to maintain their lifestyles. As a... Read More THE FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE PARTNER CHECKLIST Zachariah HarneyThursday, October 26, 2023 Q: I’ve been married for over 50 years and I’ve always personally managed our finances and investments. I’m worried how my wife would manage if something were to happen to me unexpectedly. What are the most important... Read More 10 REASONS YOU NEED A FINANCIAL ADVISOR Steven C. Merrell Thursday, October 19, 2023 Managing your finances can be daunting. From retirement planning to investment decisions and estate management, our financial landscape is increasingly complex. If these complexities leave you feeling overwhelmed, a financial advisor... Read More LAYING A FIRM FOUNDATION Steven C. Merrell Thursday, October 12, 2023 We each face things in life beyond our control. Sometimes, these external shocks are devastating. However, more often than not, our success or failure is determined by the quality of our thinking. Ralph Waldo Emerson put it this way:... Read More A SIMPLE GUARANTEE Steven C. Merrell Thursday, October 5, 2023 In the financial services world, few words are more taboo than “guarantee”—and with good reason. We live in a world of probabilities, where nothing is truly risk-free. Advisors who claim otherwise mislead their... Read More BUYING A HOME TAKES CAREFUL PLANNING Steven C. Merrell Thursday, September 28, 2023 Home ownership is an elusive goal for many living on the Monterey Peninsula. Recent economic developments have made that goal even more difficult to achieve. At the risk of depressing readers working toward buying a home, here are some... Read More WHAT TO DO WITH "EXCESS" FUNDS IN A 529 ACCOUNT Steven C. Merrell Thursday, September 21, 2023 Q: My wife and I have three children. Over the past 20 years, we put a lot of money into their 529 plan accounts. Our oldest child graduated from a private university and used all of her 529 plan money—and then some. Our second... Read More GET SMART ABOUT STUDENT DEBT Steven C. Merrell Thursday, September 14, 2023 Three years ago, I wrote two articles for college students and their parents. The first encouraged students to be careful as they made decisions about their major; the second warned about the perils of student loans. I received zero... Read More GET READY FOR MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT Steven C. Merrell Thursday, September 7, 2023 Every year, from October 15 through December 7, Medicare beneficiaries face a period of consternation known as Medicare Open Enrollment, or the Annual Election Period. This seven-week period is the only time of the year in which... Read More 12 TIMELESS TIPS FOR FINANCIAL SECURITY Steven C. Merrell Thursday, August 31, 2023 Not long ago, while digging through a box of old papers, I came across a stack of articles written by my former business partner Ken Petersen. One of his articles outlined “12 Rules for Financial Security.” Reading through... Read More FIND YOUR ELUSIVE BALANCE Steven C. Merrell Thursday, August 24, 2023 Elite athletes know that superior balance is essential for strong performance. The role of balance is obvious in the gymnastic grace of Simone Biles on the balance beam. It is equally important, but perhaps less obvious, in the... Read More IS A ROTH CONVERSION RIGHT FOR ME? Zachariah HarneyThursday, August 17, 2023 Q: I’ve heard that having money in a Roth IRA for retirement is very beneficial and better than a Traditional IRA. Should I be converting my money from my Traditional IRA into a Roth account? A: This question is very... Read More BEWARE OF THE JOINT TENANCY TRAP Steven C. Merrell Thursday, August 10, 2023 Q: My husband passed away a few years ago and I am worried that my kids will have trouble handling my financial affairs if something were to happen to me. Do you have any recommendations on what I can do to make sure they have access... Read More ARE YOU STICKING IT TO YOUR HEIRS? Steven C. Merrell Thursday, August 3, 2023 In last week’s column, we talked about the complexity and confusion around inherited IRA distributions. In response to that column, a number of people expressed concern about how inheriting an IRA would affect their beneficiaries... Read More CONFUSION AND RELIEF WITH RMDS Steven C. Merrell Thursday, July 27, 2023 Q: A few years ago, I inherited an IRA from my deceased father. My accountant told me that I was subject to something called “the 10-year rule,” meaning I would need to deplete all the assets in the IRA within 10 years of... Read More THE HARD TRUTH ABOUT INFLATION Zachariah HarneyThursday, July 20, 2023 Q: I keep hearing on the news that inflation is improving, but I don’t really see this meaningfully changing my day-to-day experience. When will prices come down and things get back to normal? A: Inflation is one of... Read More LET'S TALK ABOUT FRAUD Steven C. Merrell Thursday, July 13, 2023 Fraud continues to be a major problem in the United States. According to the Federal Trade Commission, American consumers lost nearly $8.8 billion to fraudsters in 2022, a 30 percent increase over the year before. Investment scams... Read More THE RISE OF AI Steven C. Merrell Thursday, July 6, 2023 In case you hadn’t heard, artificial intelligence (AI) is taking over the world. It is rapidly seeping into every aspect of our lives and the pace of adoption is accelerating at an increasing rate. Already, AI powers a number of... Read More BE A FREEDOM FIGHTER Steven C. Merrell Thursday, June 29, 2023 Next week will mark 247 years since 56 delegates to the Second Continental Congress unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence and solemnly pledged “their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor” to the cause... Read More LET'S TALK ABOUT LONG-TERM CARE Zachariah HarneyFriday, June 23, 2023 Q: I’m watching a friend’s parent deplete an alarming amount of money because of a prolonged medical issue. How do I know if I am prepared to face something like this financially? A: Most people don’t like to... Read More ROTH IRAS FOR THE OLDER INVESTOR Steven C. Merrell Friday, June 16, 2023 Q: I retired last year. I receive a pretty good pension and I would like to contribute some of that money into a Roth IRA. Is that possible?A: You can only contribute what the IRS deems to be “earned income” to a Roth IRA.... Read More BUILD YOUR PORTFOLIO DASHBOARD Steven C. Merrell Thursday, June 8, 2023 A few years ago, I owned an Audi that seemed like it was built to cruise at 80 miles per hour. Its powerful engine delivered a huge amount of torque across a wide range of engine speeds. No matter how fast I was going, a slight nudge... Read More CORRECT METRICS ARE ESSENTIAL Steven C. Merrell Thursday, June 1, 2023 In 2003, Michael Lewis wrote a best-selling book called Moneyball that tells the story of the sabermetric revolution that transformed the Oakland Athletics baseball team. Sabermetrics is a quantitative approach used to analyze baseball... Read More TAKING A LOOK AT ESG INVESTING Steven C. Merrell Friday, May 26, 2023 Q: I have been hearing more and more about ESG investing. Some people say it produces better returns. Do you think it makes sense? If so, how is the best way to get exposure to ESG?A: ESG investing is an investment selection process... Read More TALES FROM THE DARK SIDE Steven C. Merrell Friday, May 19, 2023 If you are serious about growing your wealth, you had better be just as serious about protecting it. Read More IS YOUR FINANCIAL ADVISOR A FIDUCIARY? Steven C. Merrell Saturday, May 13, 2023 Selecting a financial advisor is difficult. Doing it well requires that you wrestle with some difficult questions. What should you expect from your advisor? How can you accurately evaluate an advisor’s expertise when you... Read More SHOULD I BUY MUNI BONDS OR CORPORATE BONDS? Steven C. Merrell Friday, May 5, 2023 Q: I switched advisors recently and he suggests I sell my muni bonds and buy corporate bonds instead. His advice confuses me because I feel like I already pay a lot of taxes and I don’t want to do anything that would add to my... Read More DEAD MAN WALKING Steven C. Merrell Friday, April 28, 2023 As I wrote in this column on March 16, the failure of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB)—the second-largest bank failure in US history—was significant. It was followed within days by the third-largest bank failure in US history... Read More A SAFER WAY TO BUILD A BOND PORTFOLIO Steven C. Merrell Friday, April 21, 2023 Q: My supposedly safe bond portfolio was hit really hard last year. Can you please explain why something that was supposed to protect me got hit so hard and what I can do to keep from making that mistake again?A: 2022 was one of the... Read More WHAT RISKS LURK IN YOUR PORTFOLIO? Steven C. Merrell Friday, April 14, 2023 The sudden collapse of Silicon Valley Bank highlights an important wealth management principle. Whether you manage your wealth on your own or hire an outside advisor to assist you, your first priority must be to understand the risks... Read More HOW SECURE IS YOUR DATA? Steven C. Merrell Friday, April 7, 2023 If you have ever seen a really bad traffic accident, you understand how it can affect your behavior—at least for a little while. Suddenly, you realize that small and simple changes would make you a much safer driver. You slow... Read More EARLY EXIT: TIPS FOR TAPPING INTO YOUR RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS Steven C. Merrell Friday, March 31, 2023 Sometimes life doesn’t turn out as we expect. A friend of mine lost her job last year after more than twenty years at the same company. She felt confident that her experience would allow her to find a job quickly. She soon... Read More EARLY RETIREMENT: HERE’S TO YOUR HEALTH Steven C. Merrell Friday, March 24, 2023 Many people dream of early retirement, but unless that dream is matched with careful planning, it remains just that—a dream. Even with careful planning, things may not turn out the way you hope. As the old Yiddish proverb says:... Read More SILICON VALLEY BANK AND YOU Steven C. Merrell Friday, March 17, 2023 The demise of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) last week was a significant development. SVB’s collapse is the second-largest bank failure in US history, trailing only that of Washington Mutual in the 2008 financial crisis. Its collapse... Read More ARE YOU GROWING YOUR FAMILY WEALTH? Steven C. Merrell Friday, March 10, 2023 Several years ago, I worked with a wealthy Silicon Valley family to help them untangle some challenging financial knots. The family consisted of Read More MEASURING YOUR PORTFOLIO’S PERFORMANCE Steven C. Merrell Saturday, March 4, 2023 Performance measurement and reporting was once considered one of the dark arts of portfolio management. Read More QUESTIONS ON THE DEBT CEILING Steven C. Merrell Saturday, February 25, 2023 Q: I do not understand why some of our political leaders are unable to compromise when it comes to raising the debt limit. Why are they making such a big deal about this?A: This column is about financial planning, not politics, so I am... Read More DO I NEED EARTHQUAKE INSURANCE? Steven C. Merrell Friday, February 17, 2023 Q: The devastating earthquake in Turkey and Northern Syria have made me think about the need for earthquake insurance here in California. I know we live close to several major faults. Last year, I was going to buy earthquake insurance,... Read More THINGS THAT MATTER MOST Steven C. Merrell Friday, February 10, 2023 The turbulence of modern life makes it easy to lose sight of things that matter most. Our attention is naturally drawn to the urgent, to the fire that is burning hottest at any particular moment. Read More SEEKING CLARITY ON INFLATION Steven C. Merrell Friday, February 3, 2023 Q: The inflation picture continues to puzzle and frustrate me. On one hand, I pay a lot less at the gas pump than I did six months ago. On the other hand, the price of eggs has gone through the roof. I know I buy a lot more gasoline... Read More PLANNING FOR SOCIAL SECURITY Steven C. Merrell Friday, January 27, 2023 Q: I turn 66 this year which makes me eligible for my full Social Security retirement benefit. Some people tell me I should take my Social Security right away and others say I should wait until I’m 70. What are your... Read More MORE CHANGES FOR RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS Steven C. Merrell Friday, January 20, 2023 On December 23, 2022, the House of Representatives passed a 4,000+ page bill called the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023. Deep inside the bowels of this beast was the much-anticipated bill known as SECURE Act 2.0. While the vote... Read More SURPRISE! WHEN YOUR IRA OWES TAXES Steven C. Merrell Saturday, January 14, 2023 Tax season can sometimes bring unpleasant surprises. One such surprise came to an individual who called me with concerns about his self-directed IRA. Read More BUILDING A STRONG WEALTH MANAGEMENT TEAM Steven C. Merrell Saturday, January 7, 2023 When I retired, I decided that managing my retirement portfolio was going to be my full-time job. After the bruising I took in the markets last year, I have changed my mind. Read More DEALING WITH A CONCENTRATED PORTFOLIO Steven C. Merrell Saturday, December 31, 2022 I retired ten years ago after a successful career working for a large public company. Over the course of my career, I accumulated a large amount of company stock. Read More TYING UP LOOSE ENDS Steven C. Merrell Friday, December 23, 2022 As we come into the final days of 2022, now is a good time to tie up some financial loose ends. Here are some questions you might want to ask yourself. Read More HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOUR MUTUAL FUND? Steven C. Merrell Friday, December 16, 2022 I love mutual funds for their simplicity and accessibility. Since the first mutual fund was launched in 1924, mutual funds have allowed millions of people to participate in the capital markets who would never have had the opportunity Read More ARE YOU ANTIFRAGILE? Steven C. Merrell Wednesday, December 7, 2022 If you are still looking for a gift for someone special this holiday season, may I suggest Nassim Taleb’s book Antifragile. I know it may seem a little nerdy, but reading this book would be a great way to start the New Year. Read More CRYPTO WINTER Steven C. Merrell Friday, December 2, 2022 The crypto currency world continues to amaze me. Despite a year of high-profile crashes, bankruptcies and hacks Read More BRACE YOURSELF: HERE COME THOSE CAPITAL GAINS DISTRIBUTIONS Steven C. Merrell Thursday, November 24, 2022 If you own shares in a mutual fund, you may be in for a rude awakening come tax time. Read More TAKE CARE WHEN INHERITING ANNUITIES Steven C. Merrell Thursday, November 17, 2022 When my mother died, I discovered that she had two annuities. I am the beneficiary of one of them and a local charity is the beneficiary of the other. What are annuities, Read More MEDICARE PENALTIES AND PITFALLS Steven C. Merrell Friday, November 11, 2022 Paying for health care in retirement can be a challenge, so most people over the age of 65 rely on Medicare. Like most federal programs, Medicare is complex and navigating its arcane rules can be daunting Read More USING YOUR IRA FOR CHARITABLE GIVING Steven C. Merrell Wednesday, November 2, 2022 Q: A couple of weeks ago, you wrote a column on the rules for charitable giving. I understand that I can give money to charities directly from my IRA, but you didn’t mention it in your column. Is it a good idea?A: If you... Read More RETIREMENT MISTAKES TO AVOID Steven C. Merrell Tuesday, October 25, 2022 When I retired last year, the market was doing fine and I felt confident my Social Security benefits and 401(k) savings would be enough to see me through. Read More TAKE CARE WITH YOUR IRA BENEFICIARIES Monterey Private WealthSaturday, October 22, 2022 Q: My husband passed away last year. In the process of settling his estate, I contacted the custodian of his IRA to rollover his IRA into my account. I was completely surprised when they informed me that his IRA lists my mother-in-law... Read More USING YOUR 529 PLAN Steven C. Merrell Tuesday, October 11, 2022 Withdrawals from 529 plans are tax-free only if they pay for the qualified educational expenses of the beneficiary. Qualified educational expenses include tuition, books, living expenses, technology, adaptive equipment for any special needs Read More TIME FOR YOUR ANNUAL IRA CHECKUP Steven C. Merrell Tuesday, October 4, 2022 According to the Internal Revenue Service, more than 60 million Americans have individual retirement accounts with an estimated value exceeding $11 trillion. If you are an IRA owner, here are four things to do each year to make sure your Read More WILL YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY RETIREMENT BENEFITS BE TAXED? Monterey Private WealthThursday, September 29, 2022 In the part of the country where our offices are located, Monterey and Pleasanton, California, we have a high cost of living and a high tax rate. Investors are continually trying to find new ways to save on taxes. And... Read More SHOULD I SELL STOCKS TO PAY OFF MY MORTGAGE? Steven C. Merrell Tuesday, September 27, 2022 Don’t forget how fortunate you are to have a mortgage at such a low rate. Given the tax deductibility of mortgage interest, your 3 percent mortgage rate is really more like 2.3 percent. Current mortgage rates are well above 6 percent. Read More THE SECRET LIFE OF BONDS Steven C. Merrell Tuesday, September 20, 2022 The fixed income markets play a vital role in the global capital markets. Read More INFLATION WAR Steven C. Merrell Friday, September 16, 2022 The Federal Reserve’s unfolding battle with inflation is shaping up to have all the drama of a Muhammad Ali fight. This could be like the 1974 “Rumble in the Jungle” where Ali, a 4-1 underdog going into the fight,... Read More WHAT YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT 529S Monterey Private WealthThursday, August 25, 2022 The end of summer and the start of the school year always seem to be a catalyst for conversations about college savings and where they fit into larger, long-term financial strategies. In particular, the 529 college savings plan, with... Read More ALL RECESSIONS ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL Monterey Private WealthWednesday, August 17, 2022 With inflation at 40-year highs, the Fed is aggressively hiking interest rates; but it's a tricky proposition: raise rates too much and many fear the next recession is right around the corner. Markets have been reflecting that fear,... Read More THE KEY TO FINANCIAL FREEDOM Monterey Private WealthWednesday, August 17, 2022 People want freedom. It seems to be a natural part of our makeup. When I first meet clients and begin talking with them about their goals, they are sometimes fuzzy on the details, but they are almost always clear on the... Read More IS NOW A GOOD TIME FOR A ROTH IRA CONVERSION? Monterey Private WealthWednesday, August 10, 2022 Is Now a Good Time for a Roth IRA Conversion?We know that taxes are one of life’s two inevitables. So, the question is not if you will pay taxes on your retirement accounts, but when and how much. That’s where Roth IRAs... Read More TAX-LOSS HARVESTING Steven C. Merrell Friday, August 5, 2022 Q: My investment advisor contacted me last week to let me know he was going to be doing some “tax-loss harvesting.” He said the bear market had “opened up an opportunity to take losses” as if losses were a good... Read More DO IT NOW Steven C. Merrell Friday, August 5, 2022 Michael Hyatt, the personal productivity guru, once said, “Perfectionism is the mother of procrastination.” As a recovering perfectionist, I know exactly what he means. Sometimes we want to wait until everything is perfect... Read More SHOULD I THROW IN THE TOWEL? Steven C. Merrell Friday, July 22, 2022 Q: The bear market has been causing me some serious heartburn. Not only is my account losing money, but I am down more than the S&P 500, the NASDAQ and every other index I can think of. Given my losses, maybe I should just throw in the... Read More RECLAIM YOUR FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE Steven C. Merrell Friday, July 15, 2022 After the economic stress caused by the pandemic and 12 months of surging inflation, the debt burden carried by U.S households is rising. According to a recent survey by the New York Federal Reserve, U.S. households carry an average of... Read More PRACTICAL TIPS FOR END-OF-LIFE PLANNING Steven C. Merrell Friday, July 15, 2022 Sound advice and a good financial plan can help any of us navigate our life’s journey with greater clarity and confidence. This includes planning for the end of the journey. I know this can be an uncomfortable topic for many, but... Read More HOW TO COMPLICATE YOUR RELATIONSHIPS Steven C. Merrell Wednesday, July 6, 2022 Every once in a while, someone will ask me about lending money to a close personal friend or a family member. They usually bring it up because they are conflicted about it. Some ask hoping I'll give them an excuse to say no, as in "I'm... Read More SOUND PRINCIPLES FOR FINANCIAL PEACE Steven C. Merrell Wednesday, June 29, 2022 Years ago, I had an epiphany as I read Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. I recognized that by consistently applying correct principles, I could be an agent, making intentional choices about how I lived my life as... Read More DON’T LOSE YOUR NERVE Steven C. Merrell Tuesday, June 21, 2022 Q: I was planning to retire this year, but the stock market has me feeling nervous. Do you think it would be better for me to keep working until things settle down?A: Retirement is tricky business. Most people look forward to ditching... Read More WHERE TO GET THE STRAIGHT SCOOP ABOUT MONEY Steven C. Merrell Friday, June 10, 2022 Q: I want to learn about investing, but I always feel like financial people are trying to sell me something. Where can I get the information I need without having to worry that someone is trying to... Read More BEWARE THE TIMESHARE TRAP Steven C. Merrell Friday, June 10, 2022 Summer is fast approaching and that means timeshare traps are being set. I am sure you have seen them—unbelievable vacation deals where all you have to do is sit through a short “informational presentation.” We all... Read More BEAR MARKET FAQ Steven C. Merrell Friday, May 20, 2022 With the recent downturn in the markets, I have been getting a lot of questions about bear markets and how to best respond to them. Here are some frequently asked questions that might be helpful.Q: What is a bear market and how is it... Read More TRAIN YOUR BRAIN Steven C. Merrell Friday, May 13, 2022 It can remember the past, plan for the future, and experience the present in ways that bring joy and meaning to our lives. But the human brain also has its limitations. Sometimes we simply do not think very well.Brain scientists tell... Read More WHAT IS YOUR PERSONAL INVESTMENT POLICY? Steven C. Merrell Friday, May 6, 2022 There is a lot of wisdom in simplicity, especially when it comes to investing. You do not need advanced degrees and genius-level intelligence to be a successful investor. Mostly it requires common sense and a lot of discipline. Warren... Read More PREPARING FOR FIRE SEASON Steven C. Merrell Friday, May 6, 2022 Cal-Fire’s outlook for the 2022 fire season is not encouraging. Low precipitation and higher-than-normal temperatures mean we are likely in for a challenging summer and fall. Now is the time to prepare. A little planning now can... Read More WHAT IS YOUR WHY? Steven C. Merrell Wednesday, April 20, 2022 In 2009, Simon Sinek started a revolution. It wasn’t started with bombs or bullets, but with an idea, a TEDx talk, and a best-selling book titled, Start with Why. His idea was that good leaders inspire people to act by giving... Read More DEALING WITH INFLATION Steven C. Merrell Monday, April 11, 2022 Last week, I wrote about Paul Volcker’s battle to curb inflation more than 40 years ago. It took three years of relentless effort, and many more years of ongoing vigilance, but the Volcker Fed finally beat inflation.... Read More FIGHTING THE GOOD INFLATION FIGHT – PART I Steven C. Merrell Monday, April 11, 2022 American consumers learned more than 40 years ago that inflation can be difficult to tame. You can’t fight it with words alone. (Remember Gerald Ford’s WIN buttons?) Fighting inflation takes action that is both decisive and... Read More PREVENTING FINANCIAL ABUSE Steven C. Merrell Friday, April 8, 2022 The statistics on elder abuse are staggering. According to one estimate, 5 million elderly Americans are abused every year—often by someone they look to for care and protection. The National Council on Aging estimates that 1 in... Read More IS A SOLO 401(K) RIGHT FOR YOU? Steven C. Merrell Friday, March 18, 2022 Q: I have a small side business that is really starting to take off. Someone told me that I should think about setting up a solo 401(k) plan in my side business to help boost my retirement savings. I already have a 401(k) through my... Read More TIME FOR A PAYCHECK CHECKUP Steven C. Merrell Tuesday, March 15, 2022 When I was quite young, I remember my grandfather telling me that there are only two things certain in life: death and taxes. He meant it as a jest, but in a more serious vein, I would like to propose a third candidate for that group:... Read More ARE YOU TAKING ADVANTAGE OF HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS? Steven C. Merrell Tuesday, March 15, 2022 If you are looking for another tax break for 2021, take a look at opening a Health Savings Account, or HSA. Next to getting employer matching funds in a 401k account, an HSA is the best retirement savings vehicle around.With an HSA you... Read More WATCH OUT FOR THE “ENTIRE INTEREST” RULE Steven C. Merrell Tuesday, March 15, 2022 Q: Last year I purchased a variable annuity in my IRA. My insurance company recently sent me a statement reminding me that I need to take a required minimum distribution before year-end. I was shocked to discover that my RMD is higher... Read More THE SMART WAY TO GET OUT EARLY Steven C. Merrell Friday, February 18, 2022 Q: I am thinking of taking an early retirement package being offered by my employer. I am currently 57 years old, and I have built up a significant nest egg in my 401(k) plan. I have some money saved outside of my retirement accounts,... Read More THE NITTY GRITTY ON INHERITING IRAS Steven C. Merrell Friday, February 18, 2022 A couple of years ago, Congress passed a law called the “Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement” Act. It is an awkward name, selected with some malice aforethought, to fit the acronym the bill sponsors really... Read More HOW TO SAVE ON MEDICARE TAXES Steven C. Merrell Saturday, February 5, 2022 Most people don’t give a lot of thought to Medicare until they get ready to retire. However, if you are working and you get paid for it, you and your employer pay Medicare taxes on every dollar you earn. Over time, those Medicare... Read More TAKE A LOOK AT THE FED Steven C. Merrell Friday, January 28, 2022 The Federal Reserve is the most powerful financial institution in the world. In one way or another, its actions and policies touch your life on a daily basis. Here are some things you should know about this powerful, but poorly... Read More PLANNING FOR LONGEVITY Steven C. Merrell Friday, January 21, 2022 Q: When I began my financial plan last year, my planner suggested that we assume I will live to be 95. My family isn't known for its longevity, so I told her that seemed a little ambitious. She also recommended that I purchase an... Read More MORE CONFESSIONS OF A BULL MARKET GENIUS Steven C. Merrell Friday, January 14, 2022 A year ago, I wrote a column titled “Confessions of a Bull Market Genius” in response to the stunning stock market rally of 2020. As you may recall “bull market genius” refers to the fact that almost anyone can... Read More DISCOVER THE JOY OF CHARITABLE GIVING Steven C. Merrell Friday, January 7, 2022 Few things bring greater meaning to my life than using my time and resources to further the work of charitable organizations that align with my values. Monterey County is blessed with a large number of excellent nonprofit organizations... Read More 5 PRINCIPLES FOR A PROSPEROUS 2022 Steven C. Merrell Friday, January 7, 2022 The past year was phenomenal for stock market investors. The S&P 500 index rallied nearly 30 percent, while technology stocks soared even higher. If you participated in the rally, you have reason to celebrate. However, it’s... Read More IS IT TIME TO PURGE YOUR FILES? Steven C. Merrell Tuesday, December 21, 2021 Q: After working from home for the past 20 months, my home office is out of control. I have piles of papers everywhere. Not only is it embarrassing, but it is also getting hard to keep everything straight. My main problem is that my... Read More BEWARE THE REALITY DISTORTION FIELD Steven C. Merrell Tuesday, December 14, 2021 Several years ago, I read Walter Isaacson’s excellent biography of Apple founder Steve Jobs. It was a fascinating book, full of interesting insights into the mind and character of one of the brightest consumer marketers of our... Read More A YEAR-END REVIEW OF YOUR RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS Steven C. Merrell Friday, December 3, 2021 If you want to successfully save for retirement, you need to learn how to properly manage your retirement accounts. An annual review of your IRAs, 401(k)s and other retirements accounts will help you stay on track. Here are three... Read More YEAR-END REVIEW OF YOUR RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS – PART 2 Steven C. Merrell Friday, December 3, 2021 I am often surprised by how little attention some people give to their retirement accounts. They don’t look at statements. They don’t remember who their beneficiaries are. Sometimes they can’t even tell me if their... Read More WHAT’S UP WITH THOSE SERIES I SAVINGS BONDS? Steven C. Merrell Friday, November 19, 2021 Q: I recently heard that the U.S. Treasury is issuing savings bonds with an unusually high interest rate. Is that true? What’s the catch?A: No doubt you are referring to Series I U.S. Savings Bonds, otherwise known as “I... Read More SHIFTING GEARS ON YOUR CAREER Steven C. Merrell Friday, November 19, 2021 Few things will have greater impact on your financial future than the decisions you make about how you save and spend money. However, sound financial planning also requires that you carefully develop your capacity to produce income. No... Read More HOW DO I PROTECT MY PORTFOLIO AGAINST INFLATION? Steven C. Merrell Friday, November 5, 2021 Q: I’ve been reading more and more about the inflation in our economy. I’m trying to get ready to retire, but the growing rate of inflation has me worried. How can I protect my portfolio against inflation?A: Inflation is a... Read More WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MEDICARE Steven C. Merrell Friday, November 5, 2021 Paying for health care is one of the biggest financial challenges many people face in retirement. Whether you are already enrolled in Medicare or anticipate one day being covered, here are some things you really need know, including... Read More HOW MUCH ADVICE DO YOU NEED? Steven C. Merrell Friday, October 22, 2021 Q: I have decided that I want to work with a financial advisor, but I am confused about how much I should expect to pay them. I looked at an online advisor and it looked pretty cheap. Then I looked at a fee-only advisor in town and... Read More ANOTHER LOOK AT ROTH ACCOUNTS Steven C. Merrell Friday, October 8, 2021 Q: Your column on back-door Roth conversions made we wonder if I should use the Roth account in my 401(k) plan. My husband has been trying to get me to switch to the Roth for a long time, but I don’t know. He says we would be... Read More SLAMMING THE BACK DOOR Steven C. Merrell Friday, October 1, 2021 Congress is getting ready to slam the door on a popular retirement savings strategy—the so-called back-door Roth conversion. This is regrettable from a financial planning perspective because back-door Roth conversions are a... Read More LEARNING TO SAY NO Steven C. Merrell Friday, September 24, 2021 Not long ago, my wife and I took advantage of a beautiful Saturday afternoon to visit art galleries in Carmel. As we walked past a fashionable men’s clothing store my wife suggested we pop inside to see if they had a pair of... Read More IS BITCOIN GOOD MONEY? Steven C. Merrell Friday, September 17, 2021 The ongoing saga of bitcoin continued this week as tiny El Salvador became the first country to officially recognize bitcoin as legal tender. Bitcoin celebrated its new official status by promptly plunging nearly 17 percent before... Read More COPING WITH THE NEW INFLATION Steven C. Merrell Friday, September 17, 2021 Q: I don’t know if it’s just me, but my paycheck doesn’t seem to go as far as it used to. The government says inflation is low, but I’m feeling a real squeeze. It is really as low as they claim?A: Welcome to the... Read More GETTING SMART ON THE NEW RULES FOR 401(K) ROLLOVERS Steven C. Merrell Friday, September 3, 2021 Monterey Herald, 401(k)If you read the financial press, you have surely read that many Americans are woefully unprepared for retirement. Unfortunately, this is true. However, it is also true that retirement accounts hold a vast amount... Read More A NEW WAY TO THINK ABOUT PORTFOLIO INCOME Steven C. Merrell Friday, September 3, 2021 Q: I have been working and saving for retirement for the past 50 years. My goal was to retire once I had a million dollars in retirement savings and I am almost there. I thought a million dollars would surely be enough to support... Read More DON’T NEGLECT THE SOFTER SIDE Steven C. Merrell Friday, September 3, 2021 One of the best parts of being a financial planner is helping people find meaningful answers to important life questions. Sometimes the questions are straight-forward such as: do I have enough to retire; when should I take Social... 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