Bedel Blog

Recessions are a fact of life in the world of investments, but there are ways you can help to protect your portfolio from periods of economic downturn. Because no one can accurately predict just when a recession will hit, it’s important to be prepared. Read on for our tips and strategies on preparing your investments to weather the storm.

Do you have a vision for how you will spend your retirement? If you have a spouse or significant other, does it match theirs?

When contemplating a pregnancy or an adoption, be sure to understand your employment benefits. Parental leave policies and insurance benefits can cover associated costs as well as provide income while you are away from work.

With just over two months left in 2018, now is a good time to start your tax planning, and analyzing your capital-gain situation could result in a lower tax bill come Tax Day 2019. By considering various strategies to offset your capital gains, you could reduce your tax impact and keep as much of those gains in your pocket as possible.

Financial institutions are a dime a dozen these days, so how do you know which one is right for your needs? We explore the different types of banks to help you better understand the pros and cons and make an informed decision.

Many investors aren’t aware of their ability to borrow against their portfolios. But margin loans, at times, can be an effective tool for securing needed funds. It’s critical to ensure you understand the tax implications, as well as what a margin loan might mean for the overall health of your portfolio. Read on as we discuss the pros and cons of margin loans and whether they might be right for you.

Is your child’s identity at risk? That might sound like a crazy question, but young children are prime targets for identity theft. We’ve outlined how children’s identities can be stolen, warning signs to look for, and what you should do if you find out your child has become a victim.

If your investment portfolio is exposed to economies whose currencies continue to depreciate against the U.S. dollar, the risk in your portfolio can rise. What causes this and what does it mean to you? Anthony explains this growing trend and how to be sure you’re comfortable with the amount of risk in your portfolio.

If you are 65 years old, you have a 70% chance of needing long-term care. Can you afford $90,000 per year? If not, you may want to include LTC insurance in your financial plan. Or, you can take the chance of being in the lucky 30%!

Can you pay for k-12 tuition with a 529 plan? You can now! While this could have a nice tax advantage for families that save, there is some very important information to understand first. We’ve broken down the benefits, the potential traps and ways to get around them.

As if Social Security isn’t confusing enough at times, Social Security spouse benefits can present a whole new set of challenges: When do you claim? Should you claim your benefits or your spouse’s benefits? How much of your spouse’s benefits can you claim? We’ve laid out several different scenarios to help guide you through what can seem like a labyrinth at times.

As financial planners and investment advisors, we see mistakes that employees make when handling their 401(k)s. Four such mistakes standout as having the greatest impact on a comfortable versus not-so comfortable retirement.