By Colleen Weber, CFP^®, CPA

Benjamin Graham once said, “In the short run, the market is a voting machine, but in the long run, it is a weighing machine.” This quote may seem confusing on the surface, but the point is quite simple: in the short run, the market acts like a popularity contest with investors chasing the hottest trend of the moment. The votes are tallied, and the most “popular” stock gets the highest price, regardless of its true value. In the long run, however, the popularity contest fades and the market starts to reflect the true value of the stocks.

By Colleen Weber, CFP^®, CPA

Thomas Jefferson said, “With great risk comes great reward.” But certainly there needs to be wisdom in recognizing how much risk is too much risk—especially when it comes to your investment portfolio. This is where diversification comes into play. 

Diversification can help you offset risk and reach your goals with an added level of confidence. Even if you already have a good understanding of diversification, it’s wise to review its importance and some examples to gain more clarity.

By Olivia Weber

When it came time for me to choose a career path, I knew that whatever job I pursued needed to be in line with my passions. Most importantly, I wanted to serve others; to help people in a tangible way and add value to their lives while building lifelong relationships. I had the privilege of witnessing my mother do just that as she helped countless individuals and families create financial strategies that would have a positive impact for generations. Working as a financial advisor provides me with that same opportunity!

By Colleen Weber, CFP^®, CPA

I am so pleased to share with you two new developments at Colleen Weber CPA, CFP this summer. To my great delight, our company has been recognized as a top firm by Accounting Today magazine, which is a testament to the hard work we’ve done together over the past year. 

By Colleen Weber, CFP^®, CPA

If you’re currently looking for a new financial advisor, Google has likely already informed you that there are different subsections of advisors based on how they are compensated. There are fee-only financial advisors, fee-based financial advisors, and commission-based financial advisors. So what exactly is the difference? 

By Colleen Weber, CFP^®, CPA

We all want to leave a legacy for our children after we’re gone. But what will that legacy look like? Have you thought about the type of inheritance you’re leaving for your kids? Will it be a gift that ensures their security for years to come, or a mess of assets, liabilities, and confusing records that takes years to sort out?

If you plan to pass your wealth to your children, I think it’s important to make the transition as smooth as possible. While your children will likely be overwhelmed with grief, they shouldn’t have the added stress of working through a chaotic inheritance process. Incorporating comprehensive legacy and estate planning can make this process much easier.

By Colleen Weber, CFP^®, CPA

There are financial advisors everywhere you turn. The problem is not finding one, but finding the right one—someone you can trust to provide honest advice and help you achieve your goals.

Unfortunately, whether someone calls themselves a financial advisor, financial planner, wealth manager, or financial consultant, it doesn’t tell the consumer anything about the standard to which the advisor is held. This can be incredibly confusing for many people. It’s important to not look for a particular job title but ask your current or prospective financial advisor whether or not they are held to the fiduciary standard. Only then will you know if the advisor truly has your best interests at heart.

By Colleen Weber, CFP^®, CPA

It’s impossible to go through life without making mistakes—they’re just a part of being human. In fact, we often learn from mistakes of the past to make better decisions in the future. However, when it comes to retirement, there are no do-overs. In this major financial transition, you go from earning an income and growing your wealth to depending on it and trying not to outlive it. Even if you’ve been planning and saving on your own for decades, retirement is not a time to go on autopilot. To make sure things go as planned, you must make a few key decisions and take a few key actions. Let’s discuss 5 common mistakes retirees make and what you can do to avoid them. 

By Colleen Weber, CFP®, CPA

Retirement will be the best time of your life! You’re ready to leave the 9-5 world behind and kick back and enjoy time with family and friends. You’ve worked hard for your money and have built substantial retirement assets. Do you know how taxes will affect your nest egg? Taxes in retirement isn’t something that everyone thinks about, but they should, especially if they have multiple tax-deferred plans. You need a tax strategist by your side helping you make choices that might affect the rest of your retirement. 

By Colleen Weber, CFP^®, CPA

The new year has begun, and we are all trying to keep our resolutions: eating healthier, exercising more…but that pint of ice cream in the freezer is calling your name. I can’t help you keep all your New Year’s resolutions, but I can help you with your financial plan. You should reevaluate your financial plan on a regular basis, and the start of a new year is as good a time as any. Here are a few items to keep in mind when reviewing your plan.