97% of Mutual Funds Underperform
Twice a year the S&P publishes a report called SPIVA, which is a scorecard to see how mutual funds, aka active portfolio managers, are faring versus their passive index funds. SPOILER ALER: Active management is getting killed. The SPIVA report even controls for other variables such as style drift, survivorship bias, and avoids double counting different share classes of the same fund. This makes SPIVA the most accurate and reliable performance data available in the Active vs. Passive debate.
How Your Credit Score Works
Your credit score is a numerical representation of your creditworthiness, and it plays a crucial role in your financial life. A good credit score can help you qualify for loans at lower interest rates, save money on insurance, and get approved for apartments.
California LLC Annual Tax Due 4/15
Every LLC that is doing business or organized in California must pay an annual tax of $800. The LLC Annual Tax is not the same thing as your California income tax. This is in addition to income tax payments and your quarterly income tax withholding.
How To Diversify An Equity Portfolio
"Help! I need to diversify my equity exposure!" Fortunately, we have lots of data and research to show which asset classes are helpful in adding diversification to a stock portfolio. Here are a few asset classes you may want to look into, and two that are wrongfully assumed to add diversification.
How Tariffs Affect Small Business Owners
Tariffs can significantly impact small business owners, both directly and indirectly, by increasing costs, disrupting supply chains, and influencing consumer demand. Here are some things to keep in mind.
How To Make A Small Fortune Trading Stocks
Answer: Start with a large fortune. The fact is, actively trading stocks is one of the fastest ways to destroy your wealth. Here are some things to consider.
No Buy 2025
Frustrated with inflation, consumerism, and the clutter of "too much stuff?" Join the No Buy 2025 movement that is sweeping social media. The no buy movement refers to a challenge where people stop buying nonessential items for a period of time, often a year.
How CA Law SB1126 Impacts Businesses
If you run a small business in California, and have even ONE employee, you are required to offer a retirement savings plan by the end of 2025. The penalty for non-compliance, per Government Code Section 100033(b), could be up to $500/employee.
Protecting Your Business From Natural Disasters
As a financial advisor to small business owners, Business Interruption (BI) Insurance is one kind of protection that I help my clients with.
Why QQQ Isn't For Y-O-U
QQQ, the fund based on the Nasdaq 100 Index, is the consensus investment for "tech exposure." However, it has flaws that no one is talking about. Given its popularity ($97bill in inflows over the last 12 months) it is important to understand how this fund works.
The Myths of Dividend Investing
Investing in high dividend paying companies is a popular trope in the personal finance community. Here are 10 reasons to reconsider this approach.
Tax GAIN Harvesting?!?!
Tax Gain Harvesting is a tax arbitrage strategy where you sell investments in a taxable brokerage account at gains, during a year in which your tax rate is low. This can eliminate, or severely reduce, the amount of taxes you pay on the appreciated positions.
Ready for a Big Capital Gains Tax Bill?
If you own mutual funds, you may have received a bill for capital gains tax, even if you didn’t sell your shares. Why?
How Business Owners Use The Augusta Rule For Tax-free Income
The Augusta Rule, IRS Code § 280A, allows you to rent your home for up to 14 days without reporting the income on your taxes. In addition, your business can deduct the cost of renting the space as a business expense.
The Core 4 Portfolio
The Core 4 Portfolio, developed by Rick Ferri, is one of my favorite model portfolios for young accumulators & DIY investors due to its simplicity, diversification, and low cost.
IRS Announces 2025 Retirement Plan Limits
The IRS has released the adjustments for 2025 that affect the amounts employees can contribute to 401(k) plans and individual retirement accounts (IRAs).
Active ETFs Are A Joke
Growth Stocks FTW!!! For the first half of 2024, large cap growth stocks in the U.S. returned over +23%, the best performing asset class by far.
Year End Tax Planning
Only 73 days left until the end of the year! Below are some tax savings strategies that you will want to take advantage of before year end.
Growth Stocks FTW!!!
Growth Stocks FTW!!! For the first half of 2024, large cap growth stocks in the U.S. returned over +23%, the best performing asset class by far.
I Thought The 60/40 Portfolio Was Dead??
I Thought The 60/40 Portfolio Was Dead?? At least that’s what the financial media was saying in 2022 when the 60/40 was having its worst year in past 50 years, returning -17.8%.