Wealth Management Perspectives

From inflation to semiconductor chip shortages, the decision to finance or lease your next car has become much more complicated.

In this issue of the Wealth Management Mailbag, our market and planning experts answer clients’ questions about inflation and cryptocurrency.

President Biden appears to be more open to offering student loan forgiveness ahead of the November elections. However, the move is not guaranteed.

Advice for parents before they agree to take on college debt for their children.

With equity and fixed income markets off to a remarkably rough start this year, Strategas Chairman and CEO Jason Trennert answers a spate of questions that Baird has heard from clients.

With market volatility picking up and a midterm election on the horizon, the Policy Team at Strategas gives some insight into how midterm years typically play out.

If making the max contribution to your 401(k) isn’t enough to make you comfortable about your retirement, here are some further options

Branch Manager Sue Bellehumeur discusses her career journey and what drew her to financial services.

Why you might benefit from a business valuation, when to get it, and other common questions.

Medicare is a program that includes several different forms of health care, some of which are provided by the federal government and some by private insurers. As a result, it can be a fairly complicated program to understand.

Timing the market can be difficult – timing the market in a panic can be devastating.

Congress is looking to build on 2019 efforts to expand employees’ access to retirement plans and to increase retirement savings.

Key questions to help you get started on funding your kids’ education.

Your Medicare costs depend on a variety of factors, and can even change after you begin the program. Here’s how you can keep your costs under control.

Consider these 5 tips before adding an investment property to your portfolio.

When you’re the executor of a loved one’s estate, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed by everything you have to do. Here’s how to break down your tasks into manageable steps.

Worried about how volatility in the markets and the economy will affect your financial plans? Here are some moves to help protect your assets.

We believe that this increased political volatility is a direct result of the elevated economic uncertainty that has stemmed from the crisis. With midterm elections looming and inflation at 40-year highs, we believe this trend is likely to continue in 2022.

It’s your most valuable asset, so make sure you maximize its value before you a sale or other business transition.

A conversation with Baird Market Analyst Mike Antonelli about investing at this moment in history.

If the market’s sudden moves have you thinking about getting out, here are some investment strategies to reassure you. Most important: Keep your focus on the long term.

With so much of our business happening online these days, it’s no surprise that hackers put a great deal of effort into trying to access your information. What can you do to protect yourself? Here are a few real-world strategies to keep in mind:

After 20 years, the IRS has updated its life expectancy tables – which means the Required Mimimum Distribution from your retirement account each year is also changing.

Western governments have responded to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine by imposing massive sanctions on Russia. These events have brought a renewed focus on US energy policy.

Focus too much on day-to-day market performance and you could miss the larger trend.

With a little planning, you can avoid leaving money on the table as you switch jobs.

Be still, sad heart! Into each life some rain must fall.

It’s no secret that we’ve had a volatile start to 2022—in the financial markets and in the real world. Strategas Chairman and CEO Jason Trennert discusses recent geopolitical volatility, what it means for inflation and the Fed, and his outlook for equities for the rest of year.

With inflation at 40-year highs, what moves should investors be considering? Here are six strategies to help protect against the corrosive effects of rising prices.

With Russian troops officially entering Ukraine from nearly all directions, it is clear a major geopolitical event is at our doorsteps. We take a look at some potential next steps, likely sanctions, and longer-term implications of the action.

Branch Administrative Supervisor Sheenah Tonga reflects on how she started her career at Baird and her experiences with fertility treatments.

Both political parties have criticized big tech for years without coming to a consensus on how to regulate them. That appears to be changing, but any effort will likely be limited in nature rather than large-scale reform.

The Strategas Washington Research team kicks off 2022 by discussing some key themes for the year ahead and items for investors to watch as the year develops

How divorce or the death of a spouse affects a woman’s 401(k), Social Security and other sources of retirement income.

Baird Women Advisors offers five tips for women jumping back into the workforce.

With a little planning, your HSA can do a lot more than fund short-term healthcare expenses.

What does 2022 have in store – and how should you plan for it? Our planning experts sat down with Strategas to discuss what to expect in the new year.

Congress was unable to come to an agreement for the Build Back Better plan in 2021, but you can expect it to be revisited in 2022. Here’s what you need to know to plan for potential changes this year and beyond.

If you’re thinking of buying a vacation home with a family member, here are some ground rules to consider before making it legal.

The IRS has announced its 2022 inflation adjustments, many of which will have positive ramifications for taxpayers. Here’s what you need to know about them.

A life insurance policy might accomplish more than you realize.

The legislative process has continued to lead to modifications to the Build Back Better spending plan.

As we approach the end of the year, here are five simple steps to take to make sure your legacy is in order.

In the latest installment of our Women Talking Wealth series, Associate Branch Manager Ana Geller discusses her own financial journey and her advice for aspiring leaders.

When it became clear that proposed tax rate increases and estate tax changes were unlikely to pass, Congressional Democrats came up with an alternative plan.

Year-end tax planning is more complicated this year, but these simple ideas can help you achieve your long-term retirement, estate and charitable goals.

When mapping out your financial future, don’t minimize the impact stock compensation can have on accumulating wealth.

In the latest installment of our Women Talking Wealth series, Education Planning Consultant Jeannette Haen discusses the importance of goal setting.

Collectibles like art, classic cars, sports cards, and even comic books have become an asset class of their own. Before you invest in them, here are some guidelines to keep in mind.

US treasury may have to prioritize which aspects of the government continue to be funded.

Distributions from your retirement plan will be a cornerstone of your later years. New regulations around Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) can help you get even more out of your assets.

One data point out of context doesn’t tell you the full story.

When do you know? And when do you know you’re ready?

The slate facing policymakers in Washington is as large and significant as any in recent memory.

The 2022 Cost of Living Adjustment for Social Security recipients is expected to be the largest in 40 years – an unexpected upside to this year’s increased inflation.

Six tips on taking advantage of today’s housing market.

Western investors increasingly see capital risk when investing in Chinese firms, and politicians are beginning to add pressure. Concurrently, China is only becoming more aggressive geopolitically and economically.

What has surprised us the most so far in 2021?

When a down market can be a blessing in disguise.

Looking to help your grandkids with their education? Here are some tips.

In the latest installment of our Women Talking Wealth series, Associate Branch Manager Peche Myers discusses the financial and professional impact of chronic illness.

Keeping your financial documents organized might feel like a chore, but it can be a lifesaver in an emergency.

Baird Education Planning Consultant Jeannette Haen weighs in on what to expect for 2021.

To meet your financial goals requires keeping all your assets and accounts coordinated. New tools make it easier for you to keep your eye on the big picture.

Record numbers of young adults are living at home with their parents. Here are five steps you can take to pursue your own independence.

Are we in for a spate of inflation? If we are, how can you protect yourself? Baird’s John Taft and Mike Antonelli offer their perspectives on the future of your assets.

After a year of working from home and fearing this market, Ross Mayfield reflects on what the pandemic has taught millennials about investing.

With the COVID-19 pandemic starting to wind down and a new government in Washington, our clients are wondering how to plan for the unknown.

In the latest installment of our Women Talking Wealth series, Business Development Consultant Kathy Cobb discusses her personal financial journey.

Make sure your budget is in line with your – and your child’s – expectations and level of interest.

Planning for your retirement isn’t hard, as long as you stick to a few simple principles. Even if you’re on your first real job, you can employ these strategies right now.

U.S. consumer credit card debt recently topped $1 trillion. Here are five tips for getting you back in the black.

The Biden administration’s $1.9 trillion recovery plan offers several expanded tax credits and other relief measures. Here’s how you can take advantage of them.

The best way to maximize your outcomes is to maximize your choices.

The fiduciary standard offers protection for investors, but that’s not the whole story.

Baird’s experts weigh in on the biggest threats to today’s stock market.

Are the current sky-high stock market valuations sustainable? Baird’s John Taft and Mike Antonelli discuss whether we’re in a bubble, and how investors should deal with it.

Now that you’re out of your parents’ house and on your own, here’s how to build a solid financial footing for yourself.

In addition to the relief checks, the new Covid-19 stimulus package contains adjustments to such things as charitable giving provisions, tax credits and unemployment.

As many have learned in 2020, your finances affect your mental well-being, and vice-versa. Acknowledging this is the first step toward conquering the stress.

Is it nobler to suffer the slings and arrows of your traditional IRA? It depends on your circumstances.

Baird’s John Taft and Chris Merker on how ESG is evolving and what investors should watch for.

With donor-advised funds, you can respond to a natural disaster in a way that fits your broader financial plans.

4 tips on how to financially prepare for widowhood.

Baird’s Mike Antonelli and John Taft weigh in on what they took away from a tumultuous 2020.

From tax brackets to estate taxes, President-elect Joe Biden has proposed many changes that could affect you.

You’ve spent your kids’ entire lives saving for their college tuition – so what happens when they say they want to go to grad school, too?

Investing isn’t only for the wealthy. Here’s how you can turn a weekly muffin and latte into a proper nest egg.

After a year of great market volatility, many investors can make use of tax-loss harvesting - selling declining securities to get a tax advantage.

What’s New This Year

How do you offer money in a way that works for everyone?

What investors should be thinking about now that the election is over.

Women make 82 cents for every dollar earned by men. Here’s how – and why - that happens.

The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed many people into retirement earlier than they expected. Here’s how to handle the key decisions.

When do you know you’ve crossed the line from “the right amount” to “too much?”

How will the stock market react once all the votes are counted?

“Your money is like a bar of soap – the more you handle it, the less you’ll have.”

A majority of American women say they would like to be more engaged with their finances. Here’s how you can remain in control of your money.

The current environment – low taxes, low interest rates, new CARES Act regulations – adds up to several tax advantages for high-net-worth individuals.

During this year’s open enrollment season, take some time to make sure your benefits choices are aligned with your overall financial plan.

For any parent, one of the most valuable lessons you can teach your children is how to be smart with money. No matter how old they are, there are lessons to be imparted.

Thinking about a home improvement? Here are a few that could actually pay off when you go to sell your home.

Where should you retire? From low taxes to high culture, here’s a quick survey of the factors to consider in choosing where you’ll spend the rest of your life.

Baird’s Mike Antonelli and John Taft discuss what it means when individual stock traders take things into their own hands.

Investment strategy questions posed to Baird market experts. Updated: September 4, 2020

With companies reducing grants of options or restricting company stock in their 401(k) plan, employee stock purchase plans are emerging as powerful investment vehicles.

Mike Antonelli and John Taft look at how ESG investments have fared in the face of extreme market volatility.

Mike Antonelli and Ross Mayfield discuss the perils in letting the upcoming election influence your portfolio strategy.

You can’t always take what you read at face value. Here’s how you can sift through the news to get to the actionable insight you’re after.

"In looking back, I knew it all along."

While diversification doesn’t guarantee against loss, it is one of the most successful strategies for portfolio building over the long term.

Client questions posed to Baird market analysts. Updated: July 28, 2020

What Clients Are Asking in the Wake of COVID-19

Why is the market doing so well with so many out of work?

Laying Out All Your Options

Mike Antonelli and John Taft take on conventional wisdom behind the aging investor.

Reg BI raises the bar for investor protection while preserving individuals’ ability to choose who they work with, the products that best suit them, and how to pay for them.

Stock options are always tricky from a tax standpoint. Here’s one way to make them work for you.

COVID-19 has had a major impact on the way people are saving – and paying – for college. Baird’s Wealth Solutions Group weighs in.

It’s easy to get overwhelmed when that first big medical bill arrives. Here are five do’s and don’ts so you don’t pay more than you have to.

The COVID-19 recession is different from recessions in the past. Here’s why it matters.

Sudden wealth can be a blessing – or a curse, if not managed thoughtfully.

Mike Antonelli and John Taft turn to investing legends past and present to help make sense of these turbulent times.

Planning Moves You Can Use

Equity compensation can be complex, but don’t let your benefits go on autopilot. Here’s why it’s important to factor them into your broader wealth management plans.

Financial planning for blended families can be uncomfortable at best, but life insurance can also help you deal with the special problems of a second family.

When it comes to paying off your student loan debt, you may have more options than you realize.

Despite broad market instability and low interest rates, there are several long-term planning opportunities that you can take advantage of now.

Here are steps you can take today to regain some financial control in these unprecedented times.

The volatility of the last few weeks has been unprecedented and unrelenting. This puts younger investors in an interesting and even enviable position.

If left unchecked, debt can cost you both money and peace of mind. Here are 6 ways to get it under control and working for you.

A financial plan must evolve with your goals, family and income level. Here's a look at how three key areas of your financial decision-making change as you move through life.

The SECURE Act raises the age for taking required minimum distributions (RMDs) from a retirement plan, lifting it from age 70 ½ to 72. Here’s why that matters to you.

John Taft and Mike Antonelli discuss their experiences and how to avoid the most common mistakes.

Thanks to the SECURE Act, certain tactics for tax and estate strategies have been curtailed. People who had been considering these tactics will now have to look elsewhere.

What Investors Need To Know About the Recent Selloff

Life isn’t experienced on a balance sheet – it’s about experiencing what the world has to offer.

The SECURE Act, which took effect at the beginning of this year, was primarily focused on retirement savings, but there was good news for families that have made use of 529 college tuition plans, too.

Medicare coverage begins at age 65 – so if you’re thinking of retiring early, you’ll need to bridge the healthcare gap until then. Here are some ideas.

What is the coronavirus, and how will it impact your portfolio?

Making smart financial choices while raising kids on your own can require additional planning and discipline.

The new SECURE Act presents some significant changes to IRAs and other retirement vehicles. Here’s how you can take advantage of the new rules.

Some 62% of marriage lawyers saw a rise in prenups between 2013 and 2016. If you’ve considered joining this trend, here some good reasons to do so – and the pitfalls to avoid.

Wire fraud is one of the most frightening types of theft that can happen to you, if for no other reason than wire transfers are routinely transacted in the tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. But a good financial professional, such as those at Baird, can help ensure your transactions are safe.

Trying to “time the market” is both highly risky and incredibly difficult.

The average American wedding costs roughly $30,000 these days. If that number gives you cold feet, here are some practical ways to help you keep that special day under control.

A budget can be the first step toward achieving your financial goals. But it doesn’t work if it’s not realistic. Here are some steps to help get your finances under control.

You should manage your Social Security like any other investment. Unfortunately, most Americans don’t, and may be missing out on as much as $100,000 in benefits. Here’s a guide to help you make the most of Social Security.

The primary purpose of life insurance is to cover the financial needs of loved ones after you’re gone. How much is enough for your family? This guide from Baird can help.

Service members who reach their ETS date or retire from the U.S. military are eligible for a host of financial benefits. Here’s how you can take advantage of them.

How you structure your business can impact taxes, fundraising and what you’re responsible for if things go wrong.

Don’t assume that all your problems are over. Sometimes more money can create issues you didn’t see coming. Here are some simple steps to take to protect your Mega Millions.

More than 50 million Americans have some sort of special needs that their families are coping with? Here’s how to start addressing the financial challenges that these families are facing.

How do kids learn to handle their money? From watching you! Here are a few steps you can take to show them, by example, to be responsible savers and consumers.

We all want what’s best for our kids, but you want them to learn the value of money too.

You’re never fully prepared for how a child will change your life. But at least you can anticipate some of the financial challenges.

Wealth management is about more than stocks or annuities. For Mike Antonelli, it’s about driving your beat-up old station wagon 2,000 miles to your happy place.

When a parent is approaching the end of their days, there are a lot of uncomfortable decisions to be made. Here’s a guide to help organize and clarify your thinking at this difficult time.

Bull and Baird blog author Mike Antonelli and John Taft, author of the blog Finance for the Greater Good, discuss the most important question they get from Baird clients.

Five of the most common money mistakes people make – and how to avoid them.

It may be awkward and uncomfortable to involve your children in your long-term financial planning. But it can make things easier for everyone involved, both now and into the future.

Financial considerations you should keep in mind as you plan for care.

For many caregivers, this can be a very difficult choice. This article can help you with both the practical and emotional sides of this decision.

More than two thirds of us are likely to need some form of long-term care in our lives. Will you be able to cover that expense? The time to start getting prepared for it is right now.

Four questions to ask yourself before signing on the dotted line.

The key to a fulfilling, happy retirement is being prepared – mentally and financially – for all 3 phases.

Consolidating or refinancing your student loans could save you time and hassle – and even reduce your monthly payments. But is it the smart decision?

Thinking about taking the financial plunge and combining your finances? Here are six relationship-saving strategies to consider before merging your accounts.

In addition to being an incredibly loving gesture, paying for a grandchild’s education is a substantial investment in their future. Baird has thoughts about how you – and they – can get the most out of it.

As a Millennial, you’ve probably read a million social media posts trying to tell you who you are and where you’re going in life. Let us help you prove them wrong.

Between online commerce and social media, we’re all spending more time on the internet these days. So are cyber criminals. Learn to protect yourself from their most common scams.

How is landscaping like investing? For Baird’s Mike Antonelli, they’re both things he’s happy to pay a professional to do for him.

Relying on credit cards in a crisis could be costly. The smarter choice? Start building your personal emergency fund.

7 red flags that an email you received is actually an attempt to steal your personal information

Falling interest rates have many homeowners taking a second look at their original loans.

While investing is instrumental to achieving the future you want, you don’t have to sacrifice your principles along the way.

Inheriting a lump sum of cash is a relatively simple process. Inheriting a noncash asset, though, like a vacation home or a stock portfolio, can present a whole different set of issues.

Not everyone wants a traditional retirement, but it can be tough to visualize a different path when society seems to expect you to work for four decades and bow out when you’re eligible for Social Security.

No matter where you are in your life’s journey, there’s going to be some element of risk you’ll need to plan for.

No matter how a concentration position develops, if your portfolio is overweighted in any one position, you’re exposed to undue risk.

Hindsight may be 20/20, but investing is about looking forward.

It’s critical you identify the right retirement plan for your business.

The rise of socially responsible investing lets investors put their money where their values are. This is the first in a two-part series on Socially Responsible Investing.

Receiving shares of stock in the company you work for as part of your compensation is an excellent way to share in the success of the business, and can be very lucrative. But stock awards can be tricky to manage.

Whether "someday" is coming up soon or still a couple years down the road, you can benefit from learning about the process and the financial decisions you'll need to make.

A new feature that helps readers tackle their most pressing wealth management concerns.

Advice for keeping the tax return preparation process simple and cost-effective.

Tips for women looking to maximize their Social Security benefits.

Keeping a financial resolution starts with practicing good habits every day, all year long. Here’s are a few easy steps you can take to follow through on some of the most common financial resolutions:

While divorce can be overwhelming, there are ways to be proactive and take steps to maintain your financial well-being. Here are a few things to consider at key stages of the divorce process.

Understanding the way our innate tendencies affect the decisions we make can help you be a smarter investor in any environment.

Just engaged? Here’s how to financially plan ahead for marriage, a house and kids.

In December 2008, on the heels of the Great Recession, the Federal Reserve attempted to stave off deflation by lowering interest rates to near 0%. It took seven years before the Fed would raise rates again, but now – eight rate hikes later with more seemingly on the way – most economists agree we’re in a rising rate environment.

No matter where you are in your life – just starting out, a couple years into your career or planning for retirement – you can and should have an estate plan.

No matter the size of your family or bank account, the conversation about estate planning needs to be had.

How you can make conversations with your parents about their finances easier and more productive.