Blog

Weekly Market Insights: Hiring Cools; Recession Fears Rise.

Cathy Pareto MBA, CFP®

Monday, April 10, 2023

Stocks ended a shortened week of trading mixed amid revived recession fears on Wall Street triggered by weak economic data.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.63%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 slipped 0.10%. The Nasdaq...

The White House recently forgave up to $10,000 to student loan borrowers as part of a larger debt forgiveness program. There are still quite a few questions to be answered, but here are some key points to know.

How SECURE 2.0 Might Change Retirement

Cathy Pareto MBA, CFP®

Tuesday, August 2, 2022

The SECURE Act of 2019 represented the biggest update to retirement law in over a decade. Now, Congress is deliberating on what “SECURE 2.0” legislation might entail.One reason the subject receives so much attention from...

If Near Term Inflation Threat is Real, Should You Still Own Bonds?

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Monday, June 21, 2021

The topic of inflation is all the buzz lately. You can't turn on any financial news channel without hearing some reference to "the sky is falling, inflation is running rampant" (or some variation of this). Our last blog entry was also...

Buffett and Powell Talk Inflation

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Wednesday, May 12, 2021

What does it mean when two of the most powerful voices in American financial life seem to be saying two different things? In one corner, we have the “Oracle of Omaha,” investor Warren Buffett. As one of the nation’s...

Plan to save taxes and grow wealth at once.

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Thursday, April 29, 2021

Don’t just invest. Plan to save taxes and grow wealth at once. Integrated wealth management gives you a powerful, synergistic way to create and preserve wealth. That’s the kind of wealth management our team brings to...

2021 Essential Financial Figures

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Monday, February 1, 2021

Check out this great one page "cheat sheet" that contains key information and financial data for 2021. 2021CheatSheet

The Week on Wall Street Shrugging off COVID-19 infections and the disruption at the Capitol on January 6, stocks powered higher to kick off a new year of trading.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.61%, while the Standard &...

The Week on Wall Street Stocks moved higher during a holiday-shortened week of trading, capping off a turbulent, but otherwise strong year for equity investors. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.35%, while the Standard &...

The Week on Wall Street Stocks climbed higher amid the COVID-19 vaccine rollout and an improving outlook for a fiscal stimulus bill.The Dow Jones Industrial Average, which has lagged all year, gained 0.44%. The Standard & Poor’s 500...

The Week on Wall Street Stocks retreated last week on rising COVID-19 infections and slow progress on an economic relief bill. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 0.57%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 dropped 0.96%. The Nasdaq...

The Week on Wall Street Stocks marched higher last week on an improving outlook for the passage of a fiscal stimulus package. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.03%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 tacked on 1.67%. The Nasdaq...

The Week on Wall Street Stocks surged last week, ignited by another COVID-19 vaccine announcement, encouraging economic data, and the easing of political uncertainty.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.21%, while the Standard &...

The Week on Wall StreetDespite news of another COVID-19 vaccine candidate, stocks were mixed amid investor anxiety over an increase in new infections and economic lockdowns.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.73%, while the...

The Week on Wall Street News of a COVID-19 vaccine ignited a rally in economically sensitive stocks and a broad retreat in technology companies last week, though enthusiasm was tempered by reports of rising new infections and fresh...

The Week on Wall Street Stocks soared last week as investors anticipated that a split Congress would raise legislative hurdles to changing corporate taxes and adjusting regulatory oversight of big technology companies.The Dow Jones...

The Week on Wall Street Stock prices dropped last week as hopes for a fiscal stimulus bill faded and investors focused on rising COVID-19 infections, here and abroad. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 6.47%, while the Standard &...

The Week on Wall Street The failure to reach an agreement on a new fiscal stimulus bill soured investor sentiment and sent stocks modestly lower for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.95%, while the Standard & Poor’s...

The Week on Wall Street Stocks treaded water last week amid fading prospects for a stimulus bill, fears of a second wave of COVID-19 cases, and increasing political and regulatory pressures on Big Tech companies.The Dow Jones...

As Covid-19 continues to put pressure on corporate profits, many companies have been offering their executives early retirement packages. The question is, "does it make sense to take one?" The answer to this question depends on many...

The Week on Wall Street Stocks staged a powerful rally last week, riding a wave of optimism over the prospect of the passage of a new fiscal stimulus bill.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 3.27%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...

The Week on Wall Street Stocks advanced last week, propelled by hopes that legislators may reach an agreement for a new fiscal stimulus package and optimism generated by a few corporate deal announcements and initial public offerings....

The Week on Wall Street Stocks were mixed last week as worries that stretched from Washington D.C., where prospects of a new fiscal stimulus bill dimmed, to Europe, which saw an increase of new COVID-19 cases.The Dow Jones Industrial...

The Week on Wall Street Stocks slipped as the technology sector remained under pressure and a mid-week announcement by the Federal Reserve failed to inspire investors.The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.03%, while the Standard...

The Week on Wall Street Stocks traveled a volatile path last week as investors appeared concerned about the upcoming elections, an uncertain economy, and more delays with additional fiscal stimulus. The Dow Jones Industrial Average...

The Week on Wall Street A late week sell-off sent stocks broadly lower as investors took some profits after stocks reached all-time highs earlier in the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 1.82%, while the Standard & Poor’s...

The Week on Wall Street Stocks advanced relentlessly last week on positive COVID-19 developments, encouraging economic data, and a supportive policy shift in the Fed’s approach to its target inflation rate. The Dow Jones Industrial...

The Week on Wall Street Stocks powered to another week of gains as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite set multiple new record highs along the way.The Dow Jones Industrial Average was essentially unchanged while the Standard & Poor’s 500...

The Week on Wall StreetStock prices drifted higher in an otherwise quiet news week, as a slowdown in new COVID-19 cases outweighed a Congressional impasse on a new fiscal-spending measure. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.81%...

The Week on Wall StreetOverlooking stalled efforts by Congress to pass a new fiscal stimulus bill, stocks marched higher last week with the Dow Jones Industrials leading the way and the NASDAQ Composite setting multiple fresh record...

The Week on Wall Street Stocks were mixed last week amid a busy week of earnings, some troubling economic data, and seemingly little progress on a new fiscal stimulus package.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.16%, while the...

The Week on Wall Street Stocks slipped in the final days of trading last week on higher jobless claims and rising tensions in the U.S.-China relationship. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.76%, while the Standard & Poor's 500...

The Week on Wall StreetStocks were mixed last week as investors reacted to positive economic data, progress on a COVID-19 vaccine, and the continued nationwide increase in COVID-19 cases. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 2.29%,...

The Week on Wall StreetStock prices notched solid gains last week, looking past an increase in COVID-19 cases and any potential economic concerns raised by the trend. The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 0.96%, while the...

The Week on Wall StreetIn a holiday-shortened week, stock prices turned higher as encouraging economic data outweighed an increase in COVID-19 cases and a rollback in economic re-openings.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 3.25%,...

The Week on Wall StreetA jump in COVID-19 cases dampened investor enthusiasm last week, sending stock prices lower on worries that rising infections could derail the economic recovery. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slumped 3.31%,...

The Week on Wall StreetStocks moved higher last week on news of more Federal Reserve market support and diminished concerns that new COVID-19 cases might lead to another economic shutdown. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.04%,...

The Week on Wall StreetInvestor sentiment turned negative last week, amid an increasing number of COVID-19 cases in states where reopening has been underway as well as a subdued economic forecast from the Federal Reserve. The Dow Jones...

The Week on Wall StreetA positive jobs report sent stocks soaring last Friday, capping a solid week as evidence of a global economic recovery outweighed concerns over civil unrest and tensions with China.The Dow Jones Industrial...

The Week on Wall StreetThe shortened week, which began with a powerful two-day rally of trading, was enough to drive the markets into another week of solid gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 3.75%, while the Standard &...

The Week on Wall StreetUpbeat comments by the Federal Reserve Chairman and more signs of an economic turnaround combined to help fuel a powerful rally in the stock market last week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 3.29%, while...

The Week on Wall StreetStocks drifted lower last week, weighed down by Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell's unsettling comments on the economy and signs of renewed tensions with China.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 2.65%,...

The Week on Wall StreetDespite a historic downturn in employment, stocks managed to climb higher last week as investors were emboldened by the pace of economic re-openings, both here and abroad.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 2...

The Week on Wall StreetStock prices ended the week slightly lower, despite news of positive results from a test trial of a COVID-19 drug treatment and several states easing their economic lockdowns. The Dow Jones Industrial Average...

The Week on Wall StreetStock prices pushed higher last week as news of a White House plan to reopen the economy and reports of a potential COVID-19 treatment helped the market overcome weak economic data and an ugly start to the...

The Week on Wall StreetThe stock market staged a broad rally this week, buoyed by the prospect that COVID-19's grip on the nation may be easing and news of another Federal Reserve program to help stabilize businesses.The Dow Jones...

The Week on Wall StreetModest declines in stock prices this week masked the volatile inter- and intraday price swings as investors digested poor economic data and a warning from the president that the worst days of the COVID-19...

An open-ended commitment by the Federal Reserve to support American businesses and capital markets along with the passage of a $2 trillion aid package improved investor sentiment and drove a strong rally in stock prices. The Dow Jones...

The Week on Wall StreetThe stock market suffered through another volatile week as it wrestled with the health and economic fallout of the domestic spread of the coronavirus. Swift and decisive actions by the Federal Reserve and policy...

The Week on Wall StreetMarkets remained exceptionally volatile, buffeted by the spreading impact of coronavirus, uncertain responses from federal policymakers, and the sudden drop in oil prices.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 10...

The Week on Wall StreetHeightened coronavirus fears, falling yields, and Super Tuesday primary results sent stocks on a rollercoaster ride of sharp price swings, leaving stocks marginally higher for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial...

The Week on Wall StreetStocks fell sharply last week as Wall Street considered how the coronavirus outbreak might influence global business activity and household spending.The selloff became a correction for the U.S. markets. The S&P...

Money After Divorce – 4 Steps to Rebuild Your Financial House

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Monday, March 2, 2020

Going through a divorce is one of the most stressful life experiences a person can go through. For many, it may feel as if you are going through a hurricane. Here are 4 steps to follow to rebuild your financial house

Distribution Options for Retirement Assets Settled in Divorce

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Monday, March 2, 2020

Breaking up is hard to do. Breaking up is even worse when it involves money. Divorce is never an easy matter. Surprisingly enough though, getting distributions before age 59 ½ from retirement accounts settled through a divorce...

The Week on Wall StreetTraders paid close attention to coronavirus developments and earnings last week, while wondering how the former might eventually impact the latter. Concern over updated infection numbers moderated risk appetite.A...

The Week on Wall StreetDaily headlines about the coronavirus had little impact on stock market averages last week. Earnings and mergers had more influence. All three Wall Street benchmarks improved. The Nasdaq Composite rose 2.21%,...

The Week on Wall StreetStocks advanced four days out of five during the past market week, erasing the losses of the week before. The Nasdaq Composite surged 4.04%, the S&P 500 3.17%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average 3.00%. Foreign...

The Week on Wall StreetStock benchmarks declined for a second straight week as coronavirus news tempered risk appetite.The S&P 500 fell 2.14% on the week. The Nasdaq Composite dipped 1.76%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average, 2.55%....

The Week on Wall StreetStock prices fell last week as investors considered the potential health and economic risks of the flu-like coronavirus.Foreign stock markets, as tracked by the broad MSCI EAFE index, fell 1.03% for the week....

NEW Client Mobile App Available

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Thursday, January 23, 2020

We are excited to be rolling out our new client mobile app. Check all your account balances, performance, documents, and Advisor commentary all in one place. Available on the Apple store and also on the Google Play app store for...

The Week on Wall StreetTraders were in an upbeat mood last week, reacting to news out of Washington: the signing of the phase-one trade deal between the U.S. and China as well as the Senate passage of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement...

The Week on Wall StreetThe market had a choppy five days, with traders reacting to geopolitical developments and weaker-than-expected jobs data. Even so, the three major U.S. equity indices posted weekly gains and continued their...

The Week on Wall Street Stocks descended from record highs Friday, as traders reacted to a U.S. drone strike that killed Iran's top military officer. Oil prices rose more than 3% following the breaking news.[1] Wall Street benchmarks...

What Drove the Markets? Four factors influenced investment performance in 2019: a shift in U.S. monetary policy, the ongoing trade dispute between the U.S. and China, earnings, and the economy. Stocks reached record highs in 2019. The...

What the Passing of the SECURE Act Means For You

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Monday, December 23, 2019

Congress has passed significant changes to retirement savings law that will affect individuals in or nearing retirement, new parents, small business owners and employees, and could have a major impact on estate planning. The Setting...

Financial Planning is All About Balance

Cathy Pareto, MBA, CFP®

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Financial planning is all about achieving your goals by creating a solid financial foundation that can support them. Having the right financial advisor on your side helping you put all of the pieces together could make the difference...

Why Should You Diversify Internationally?

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Friday, July 19, 2019

A decade of dominance by U.S. stocks raises a common question: Why bother investing outside the U.S.? While there are many reasons why a US-based investor may prefer a degree of home bias in their equity allocation, using return...

New Job Old 401K? Consider a Rollover IRA

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Tuesday, May 28, 2019

At some point or another in our lives, we have left a job to move on to another company. But too often, we forget to pack one our most important personal items in our moving box, our 401k! It’s easy to do really, given the...

2019 Top Ranked Financial Advisory Firm

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Monday, May 20, 2019

We are proud to announce that Cathy Pareto and Associates has been named as a 2019 top ranked financial advisory firm in Miami and Coral Gables by Advisory HQ. Out team of advisors and planners are dedicated to helping clients build a...

50 Years Old or Older? Time to Make Catch Up Contributions

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Tuesday, May 7, 2019

2019 Catch-Up Contribution Limits Did you know that if you are 50 years old or older at the end of the calendar year you can make additional contributions into your retirement plan? 2019 IRA Catch-Up Amounts Traditional and Roth IRA...

Proud Sponsor: ALS Recovery Fund (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) 10K 5K Walk

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Tuesday, May 7, 2019

Cathy Pareto and Associates is a proud sponsor of the ALS Recovery Fund (Lou Gehrig’s Disease)10K Run 5K Walk this Saturday May 11, 2019 in Coconut Grove. https://alsrecovery.org/

Robo Advisors vs Human Advisors?

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Thursday, April 25, 2019

Robo Advisor vs Human Advisor? Which Should You ChooseIf you are just starting out, the use of online investment and financial planning tools can be helpful. These online tools can help you get started and can also provide some level...

The Cycle of Market Emotions

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Tuesday, April 16, 2019

The cycle of market emotions can be described as riding a non-stop roller coaster at an amusement park. When you invest in the financial markets there will be many highs, many lows, and in some cases some plateaus. However, through a...

Money Only Speaks One Language

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Tuesday, March 5, 2019

Financial Planning Made Easy While it is always better to start planning for your future early on in your career, it is never too late to get your finances in order. Let our team help you feel more confident about your financial...

Retirement Plan Contribution Limits Edge Up for 2019

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Wednesday, January 2, 2019

2019 Retirement Plan Limits The IRS just issued Notice 2018-83 containing the 2019 retirement plan limitations as adjusted for cost-of-living. The IRA contribution limit is increasing to $6,000 for 2019, and most of the income...

Year End Tax Planning

Louis Benjamin Carpenter IIICPA, CFP®

Monday, December 17, 2018

Happy Holidays to all. As you already know, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) was enacted at the end of last year and generally takes effect for 2018 and later years. The changes affect almost every business and most individuals...

Going through a Divorce? Finalizing it in 2018 Could Save You Money if Alimony is Involved

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Thursday, October 11, 2018

Divorce is ranked as one of the most disruptive, stressful, and difficult experiences a person can go through in their life. Even in the best-case scenario where both parties agree to mutually separate, the actual process of splitting...

IRS Blesses Backdoor Roth IRA Contributions

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Thursday, July 19, 2018

The long-running debate on whether a backdoor Roth is legal is over. While the Backdoor Roth IRA strategy has been employed by high-income individuals since 2010, its legality was questioned by some because of the IRS step doctrine....

Protect Your Money Against Voice and Email Phishing Scams

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Friday, February 23, 2018

Phishing scams can wreak havoc on your finances by tricking you into providing thieves with personal identifiable information through fake websites or even over the phone. It used to be that phishing was limited to emails received from...

Bitcoin and Cryptocurrencies: Hype or Opportunity?

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Thursday, February 1, 2018

Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are receiving intense media coverage, prompting many investors to wonder whether these new types of electronic money deserve a place in their portfolios. Cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin emerged only...

2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act–Tax Reform and Your Money

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Friday, December 22, 2017

The recently enacted Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) is a sweeping tax package. New rules will affect income taxes, deductions, college savings, and more. Here’s a look at some of the more important elements of the new law that have...

If You Are 70½ Remember to Take Your RMD – Avoid a Penalty

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

The end of the year is fast approaching and if you are 70½ you only have until December 31st to complete your required minimum distribution (RMD) from your retirement account(s). That is, if you want to avoid a stiff penalty....

2017 Retirement Plan Limits Released

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Saturday, October 28, 2017

On October 27, 2016, the IRS announced cost of living adjustments affecting dollar limitations for pension plans and other retirement-related items for tax year 2017. Here are the highlights.

Retirement Planning – 6 Steps to Follow Before You Retire

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Thursday, October 19, 2017

When You Only Have 5 Years or Less to Retire You have worked hard for many years and now it is time to start thinking about what your retirement will look like. You may have some thoughts, dreams, and even some worries about retirement...

Equifax Data Breach – What you can do if your data was exposed

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Thursday, September 21, 2017

Protecting your identity and financial information is difficult enough. Now we have learned that Equifax, a major credit reporting agency, has been breached. According to the agency 143 million records were exposed. So what can you do?...

Preparing For Your Special Needs Child’s Future

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

by Guest Columnist, Jackie Waters If you are the parent of a special needs child, you already know how important it is to prepare for the future. A number of issues can come forward during both childhood and adulthood. Your job is to...

Budget Act of 2015 and Its Effects on Social Security Benefits

Alexandra Caraballo CFP®

Sunday, December 6, 2015

by Alexandra Caraballo- November 2015 For several years now we have been talking about the fact that Social Security has been in dire need for a major overhaul. With expenditures increasing well passed the revenue coming into the trust...

Retirement Planning Part I – Your Retirement Vision and Budgeting

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Monday, January 26, 2015

What Does Trying to Lose Weight and Planning for Retirement Have in Common? For many of us, shedding a few extra pounds can prove to be a challenge. What is frustrating is that most of us know how to lose weight. At the core of it,...

7 Things to Consider and Ask When Hiring a Financial Advisor

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Friday, December 12, 2014

Entrusting someone with your savings and investments is never an easy thing. This is why it is critical that you do your due diligence when selecting a financial advisor or financial planner and that you feel comfortable with not just...

Planning for Life’s StagesHome

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Because Life is Not Static We understand that life is not static and that each stage of your life requires special consideration. This is the reason why we begin every engagement with a financial plan. We help you plan for the future...

The Emotionally Intelligent Investor

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Friday, July 18, 2014

by Guest Columnist Doreen Lima, MBA In the human repertoire of multiple intelligences, an individual’s emotional intelligence quotient (EQ) plays a significant role in crafting a satisfying life. This in part is because a highly...

by Cathy Pareto, MBA, CFP® – May 2014 Investors need portfolios that reflect their different financial goals, time horizons, and risk preferences. Although there is no “perfect” portfolio, many investors will find...

Individual retirement accounts (IRA’s) represent an accumulation of pretax funds. They can be funded from a 401–K or other qualified plan or from individual contributions through the years, but no tax is paid on the...

Today, the interest rate returns available from fixed income investments are at all time historic lows. In the search for increased income returns, more and more people are turning to Real Estate Investment Trusts, commonly known as...

Balancing Your Fixed Income Decisions

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Fixed income can play an important role in a portfolio. But its role may vary according to an investor’s financial needs and concerns. For example, many investors look to fixed income for safety, income, and more stability in...

by Ana Maria Martinetti-Katz, MBA, CFP®, CPA – August 2013 For a number of years now, the rule of thumb has been that a 4% withdrawal rate from a portfolio during retirement was “sustainable”. That is, it was...

Using Master Limited Partnerships to Enhance Portfolio Income

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Friday, August 31, 2012

The last five years in the markets have been nothing short of challenging, to say the least. Global economic headwinds have left investors and advisors alike, looking for ways to improve investment results and boost income while more...

by Ana Maria Martinetti-Katz, MBA, CFP®, CPA – August 2012 As financial advisors, clients who are lucky enough to have a retirement pension through their employer often ask us which income option is best. This is a very...

Individuals and Trusts

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Monday, August 20, 2012

Investing and Financial Planning for Individuals Whether you’re single because you’ve never married, or are suddenly single due to divorce or death of a spouse, money management and financial planning are critical. You have...

Are You Prepared for 2013 Tax Law Changes?

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

When it comes to tax planning for 2012, only one word can describe the environment we face: uncertain. Many of the “Bush era” tax cuts are set to expire come year-end which, may directly impact your income tax planning as...

Wealth Building Strategies

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Time for a New Strategy? The growing complexity and interconnectedness of our global markets demands rigorous research on markets and the sources of investment returns. Our primary goal as your Advisor is to maximize your expected...

How Does Estate Planning Differ for Same-Sex Couples

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Same-sex couples and same-sex marriages face important issues that traditional married couples are not exposed to. Because gay marriage is not recognized in the majority of states and certainly not at the federal level, estate planning...

As Baby Boomers Retire, Will the Stock Market Sink?

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

The notion that as Baby Boomers retire the stock market will sink has been hotly debated for years. The looming concern is that as retirees sell equities to finance their income needs, equity values will become depressed. Are these...

Penalty-Free Income Options for Early Retirees

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

by Ana Maria Martinetti-Katz, MBA, CFP®, CPA – April 2012 The current state of the economy has many employers avoiding new hires and squeezing more and more from existing employees. As a result, many individuals are finding...

Introduction to Trusts

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

A trust is an agreement that describes how assets will be managed and held for the benefit of another person. There are many types of trusts, designed for different purposes, so let’s begin discussing the elements common to most...

IPO’s: Hoopla or One Heck of an Investment?

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Monday, April 23, 2012

With all the media hype surrounding the Facebook IPO many investors, novices and seasoned investors alike, are chomping at the bit to get in on the action. One cannot deny the allure of being economically tied to a global game changer...

Better Model For Divorce

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Monday, March 19, 2012

Can there be dignity in divorce? If you’ve survived your own divorce or have ever seen the movie “War of the Roses” you know that divorce can be an emotionally wrenching process regularly beset with anger, frustration...

FPA Tax Planning For 2010 Down To The Wire

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Friday, March 9, 2012

Tax Planning for 2010 Down to the Wireby Financial Planning Association – December 2010 As a changing power base in Washington wrangles over tax policy in the waning days of Congress’ lame duck session, millions of families...

What The New Presidency Signifies For Your Money

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Friday, March 9, 2012

What the New Presidency Signifies for Your Moneyby Cathy Pareto, MBA, CFP®, AIF® – November 2008 With the election just one day away, we thought we’d spend some time discussing the impact of Presidential politics on...

Personal Finance Checkup

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Friday, March 9, 2012

Time For a Personal Finance Tune Up?by Financial Planning Association As the summer winds down and another quarter nears a close, it’s a great time to evaluate your current financial position and start planning ahead. A midyear...

Flex Spending Accounts

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Friday, March 9, 2012

Flexible Spending Accounts No Longer As Flexibleby Cathy Pareto, MBA, CFP® – August 2011 Conceptually, flexible spending accounts make a lot of sense. After all, who can deny that paying for medical and health related items...

IRA Limits and Restrictions

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Friday, March 9, 2012

Retirement Plan Limits and Restrictions by Cathy Pareto, MBA, CFP®, AIF® 2007 Retirement Plan Limits *The maximum amount that can be contributed to a simplified employee pension (SEP) plan is 25% of an employee’s...

Common IRA Rollover Mistakes To Avoid

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Friday, March 9, 2012

Common IRA Rollover Mistakes to Avoidby Cathy Pareto, MBA, CFP® If you don’t know the rules of the game, it’s easy to get fouled out, and when it comes to IRA Rollovers, those fouls can cost you big money if you are not...

IRA Updates and Retirement Plan Reminders for 2009

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Friday, March 9, 2012

IRA Updates and Retirement Plan Reminders for 2009by Cathy Pareto, MBA, CFP® – January 2009 It’s a new year and a perfect time to recap some important tax law changes and updates as they pertain to retirement accounts....

Time for Roth Conversion

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Friday, March 9, 2012

There May Never Be a Better Time for a Roth Conversionby Cathy Pareto, MBA, CFP®, – September 2009 Roth IRA’s have long offered investors a great opportunity to grow their wealth in a tax free environment. But, because...

Ways to Afford Your Retirement Catch Up Contributions

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Friday, March 9, 2012

Ways to Afford Your Retirement Catch-Up Contributionsby The Financial Planning Association- March 2010 Turning 50 might not be everyone’s idea of excitement, but when it comes to saving for retirement, 50 is when things start...

Retirement Portfolios Test of Time

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Friday, March 9, 2012

Building Retirement Portfolios to Withstand the Test of Timeby Cathy Pareto, MBA, CFP® – December 2010 The need for retirement planning does not end with the onset of retirement. A new retiree’s focus shifts from...

Market Insanity To Sell or Not to Sell

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Friday, March 9, 2012

Market Insanity: To Sell or Not to Sell?by Cathy Pareto, MBA, CFP® – January 2008 I vowed after turning thirty to never ride roller coasters again. My stomach can’t seem to take it anymore. I’m getting that same...

Is It Time To Abandon Stocks

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Friday, March 9, 2012

Is It Time To Abandon Stocks?by Cathy Pareto, MBA, CFP® – November 2008 It’s not unusual to hear prognostications of doom and gloom when the markets are in disarray, as they have been for several months now. A front...

Are The Joneses Keeping You From Building Wealth

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Friday, March 9, 2012

Are The Joneses Keeping You From Building Wealth?What You Can Do To Change Itby Cathy Pareto, MBA, CFP® It’s hard to pin down when it happened but it happened. At some point, society subtly taught us that we are what we have...

DFA 2010 Economic Review

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Friday, March 9, 2012

2010 Economic and Market Reviewby Cathy Pareto, MBA, CFP® – January 2011 The past year offered an interesting mix of positive and negative news as investors around the world eagerly anticipated signs of economic recovery and...

What’s Driving Gold

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Friday, March 9, 2012

What’s Driving Gold?by Cathy Pareto, MBA, CFP® – March 2009 Much attention has been given to the rise in the price of gold in recent weeks, leading investors to wonder, what are the current factors driving gold? The...

Understanding Mutual Fund Share Classes and Their Costs

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Friday, March 9, 2012

Understanding Mutual Fund Share Classes and Their Costsby Karla Arguello, MBA To the unsuspecting investor, all mutual funds might look the same. In fact they are not. With over 25,000 mutual funds now available in the marketplace,...

Should You Keep Investing During A Skinking Market

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Friday, March 9, 2012

Should You Keep Investing During A Sinking Market?by Cathy Pareto, MBA, CFP®, AIF®- 2008 Sure, it’s been a rocky year in the markets—to say the least. It is so hard to for anyone to hide from the perpetual bad news,...

Interest Rate Forecasting and Your Bond Portfolio

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Friday, March 9, 2012

Interest Rate Forecasting and Your Bond Portfolioby Cathy Pareto, MBA, CFP®January 2010 The basic premise of active investment strategies is that the investor is willing to make bets on the future rather than settle with what a...

Cruise Control Options for Your Portfolio

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Friday, March 9, 2012

Cruise Control Options for Your Portfolioby Cathy Pareto, MBA, CFP® Lifecycle funds are all the rage lately. And why wouldn’t they be? They’re one of the easiest and most practical tools for investors to map out their...

Avoiding Investment Fraud and Deceit

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Friday, March 9, 2012

Avoiding Investment Fraud and Deceitby Cathy Pareto, MBA, CFP® – February 2009 It’s darn near impossible to open a newspaper today without at least one headline referencing financial fraud and abuse. Frankly, the sad...

Are You Still Investing In Your Companys Stock

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Friday, March 9, 2012

Are You Still Investing in Your Company’s Stock?by Cathy Pareto, MBA, CFP® For many investors investing in their company’s stock makes sense. After all, you are an insider and it makes you feel like you know what is...

Lost Decade

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Friday, March 9, 2012

Exposing the Fallacy of the “Lost Decade”by Cathy Pareto, MBA, CFP® – March 2010 The last ten years have certainly been an economic disappointment for many, with good reason. From the tech bubble bursting, to the...

Vix Index

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Friday, March 9, 2012

Understanding the VIX Indexby Ana Maria Martinetti-Katz, MBA, CFP®, CPA – August 2011 Charles Dickens once wrote, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” The stock market has certainly seen...

Investing Versus Trading

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Friday, March 9, 2012

Investing Versus Trading-How are They Different?by Cathy Pareto, MBA, CFP® – January 2012 I’m constantly amazed by the number of people who use the terms “Investing” and “Trading” as if they were...

Retirement vs College Savings

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Friday, March 9, 2012

Retirement vs. College Savings: Overcoming the Funding Conundrumby Cathy Pareto, MBA, CFP®, AIF® Life is a constant juggling act. Every day we juggle tasks, time, people and goals. This is especially true when it comes to...

Understanding The Benefits of Asset Allocation

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Friday, March 9, 2012

Understanding the Benefits of Asset Allocationby Cathy Pareto, MBA, CFP®, AIF® You would not suspect this given today’s turbulent markets environment, but asset allocation actually does work. This much we know–...

Are You Investing or Speculating?

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Friday, March 9, 2012

Your Answer May be Detrimental to Your Future Wealth July 2008by Cathy Pareto, MBA, CFP®, AIF® Oil prices are high, real estate is down, the dollar is flat, unemployment is high, your investments are down, and no one really...

Most Dependable Wealth Management Firm

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Friday, March 9, 2012

Cathy Pareto And Associates Voted 2008 “Most Dependable Wealth Management Firm” for Women in the US As seen in Forbes Magazine Cathy Pareto And Associates has been selected as one of the “Top 10 Most Dependable Wealth...

Worth Top 250 Wealth Advisors

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Friday, March 9, 2012

Cathy Pareto, MBA, CFP® of Cathy Pareto And Associates, Inc. has been selected by Worth Magazine as one of its Top 250 Wealth Advisors in the US. “Each year, Worth recognizes an elite group of individuals for their expertise,...

Planning For Doctors

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Friday, March 9, 2012

Physicians, because of their high incomes and high visibility, are often easy targets for bad advice. When hiring an advisor, a considerable amount of thought and research should be dedicated to the process. After all, it’s only...

Are All Advisors The Same?

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Friday, March 9, 2012

Stockbrokers, Fee-Only Advisors, Fee Based Advisors – What’s the Difference?by Cathy Pareto, MBA, CFP® The financial services industry is a very crowded space. With so many “advisors” to choose from, how do...

7 Good Reasons to Fire Your Adviser

Cathy Pareto CFP®

Friday, March 9, 2012

7 Good Reasons to Fire Your Adviserby Cathy Pareto, MBA, CFP® 1. You Feel Like a Little Fish in a Big Pond Ever gotten that feeling that your Adviser could care less whether you stay with him or her? The reason may be simple; your...