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Putting stock in Facebook
When Facebook went public in the largest IPO in U.S. history (as measured by market value), it provided some much-needed excitement for stocks and investing. Aside from the hoopla, there are some valuable lessons to take from this IPO. Stock investing pros and cons A prudent investor should always have a “core” portfolio built with diverse mutual […]
Debt and delusions
I thought my student loan debt wouldn’t amount to a stack of nickels (being just a fraction of my anticipated post-collegiate earnings). And if the great job didn’t materialize, I might die young, which would clean the slate too. I’m not alone. America seems to be deluded by these rationalizations; We think that debt today […]
Financial plans for a lifetime
For many people, financial planning consists of determining if the amount they have or will have saved by the time they retire, will provide adequate funding to live the retirement they desire. We take a broader view of comprehensive financial planning. Using the Bodie Merton Samuelson theory of...
The fine art of fine art management
Collectors can spend much of their lives amassing items that not only bring personal enjoyment, but may increase significantly in value over time. Whether it's fine artwork, collectibles, memorabilia or rare objects, these are items that need to be regarded as important personal assets. Much like...
Seven essential financial questions: No. 2
Are you in control of your spending? If you are like most people, you know how difficult that can be. As financial planner Mike Smith says, “Controlling your spending is hard because today wants all of your money and it rarely leaves any left over for tomorrow.” Given the relative ease with which...
Private equity: So misunderstood
Private equity has become a controversial presidential campaign topic. Private equity is so poorly understood, however, that people are taking sides without fully understanding it and its role in an economy. I strongly believe that it is important to educate the public about the basics of private equity so they can make an informed decision. […]
Down decade for VCs
As Mark Twain might have put it, the rumors of venture capital’s death in Colorado have been greatly exaggerated. But there are, well, some issues. According to the MoneyTree Report from PriceWaterhouseCoopers and the National Venture Capital Association, Colorado companies closed on $610 million in venture capital in 2011 aft[...]
Banking on the go
Cell phones are becoming such a vital part of people’s daily lives: Now small business owners are turning their phones into a cash management tool. Increasingly, busy executives are using mobile banking to stay on top of company finances. A business leader can “visit the bank” by mobile phone – easily, securely and in real […]
Small “S” corporation owners: Watch your wages
Business owners who provide professional services dodged a tax bullet recently with the defeat of the federal Senate Bill 2343, which would have extended the application of existing payroll taxes to include tax on dividends paid by Subchapter “S” corporations to certain shareholders. A small business which has elected to be taxed as an “S” […]
The rise of the new breadwinner
Not all that long ago, when many of the Baby Boomers were children, women in the workforce were still in the minority, more of an exception than the rule. However, a trend in the 21st century now shows women increasingly becoming the primary breadwinner of their households. Women 50 and older repo...
When it’s time to take the money out
When it comes time to start withdrawing the money you’ve spent a lifetime accumulating in your retirement portfolio, you want to ensure that you make the right decisions. One that the government makes for you is requiring that you withdraw at least some of your funds annually, depending on the account type. This is known […]
Taking some chips off the table
For business owners with significant wealth tied up in their business, a recapitalization can be a way to realize some of that value today and potentially increase the value of the company for a second round in the future. There is an option available to many business owners that could allow them to realize some […]
