It's that time of the year again, and apple picking and pumpkin patches not only usher in traditional fall routines, they also signal that it's time for an annual review of potential tax losses you can harvest from your investment portfolio.
 
And you know, just as farmers come together to bring in the fall harvest before winter kicks in, prudent investors should take the time to review their portfolios for opportunities to harvest tax losses this season.
 
Now, for some of you out there, the idea of "harvesting" losses might seem counterintuitive.
 
That's because when we think of harvests, we tend to think of taking gains, not losses, right?
 
Well, while this point may be relevant in most situations, the truth is that a harvest can also happen when you act to avoid leaving money on the table.
 
Indeed, the key to growing and preserving your wealth isn't just about how much you make, it's also how much you keep.
 
That's why, just as farmers harvest their crops to reap the benefits of their sewing efforts, investors "harvest" losses to minimize tax expenses.
 
And so, by realizing (or "harvesting") losses, you can offset taxable gains elsewhere in your portfolio and avoid paying Uncle Sam any more than his fair share.
 
With that said, this process isn't just about selling all your losses. Indeed, it involves harvesting those losses in the right accounts, being methodical in your approach, and avoiding common and costly pitfalls that could derail your efforts.

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So, you’ve finally made it big in your career, or your startup has finally taken off. 

What should you do with your money now?

Well, whatever you do, it's crucial to be mindful of the advice you take. 

You see, all you need to do is log in to any social media website, and you're likely to find accounts that claim to have wealth "secrets" available only to the rich and famous.

But you know the truth is that when it comes to prudently managing your newfound wealth, there are no shortcuts out there. 

In fact, Old Money families typically follow a tried-and-true principled approach to managing their money rather than spending their time looking for cheat codes.

To be sure, what distinguishes Old Money wealth from the New Money rich is not just how long a family has held on to their money but also what they do to keep that wealth growing from one generation to the next. 

That's because it's one thing to make a lot of money and double it in short order and quite another to keep it steadily growing, decade after decade. 

Look, Las Vegas wouldn't exist if tourists didn't have the chance to win big, but in the end, the house always wins.

So then, if you've made a lot of money and want to look for potential shortcuts that claim to pay off big, then more power to you. 

But if you've accumulated substantial sum of money and want to utilize a proven approach that allow your money to grow from one generation to the next, then here are three Old Money principles that you'll likely want to consider.

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Benefits Enrollment is just around the corner. Do you have what you need to make critical choices at this vital time of the year? 

Now, while benefits elections might seem like a routine administrative task, the decisions you make during this crucial election period could significantly impact your finances for years to come.

But for many of you out there, open enrollment might feel like a maze of features and benefits that can leave you feeling so confused and overwhelmed that you resort to box-ticking just to get it over with. 

And so, what if we could change the narrative this year?

What if this year was the year where you finally stepped off the default path, and made your benefits elections with confidence? 

What if this year, instead of rushing through the enrollment process, you mindfully took your time and opted into coverages that align with your lifestyle needs?

And, so, how do you achieve this outcome?

Well, this approach begins with a game plan for navigating the maze of health plans, insurance options, and fringe benefits available to you. 

More specifically, when you know how to approach your benefits book, which common pitfalls to avoid, and how to select your coverage options, you can make wise choices this benefits season without being overwhelmed.

Benefits Enrollment, Benifits enrollment, money, financial planning, healthcare

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What's the one investment that can double, triple, or even ten-x your wealth and keep producing a steady stream of income no matter what life throws your way? 

It's human capital. 

Indeed, investing in yourself is the single most valuable component of wealth building. And yet, it often doesn't get the attention it deserves.

And, so, what exactly is human capital?

Well, you can think of human capital as the unique value that you bring to the world. In a way, it's like an invisible backpack of everything you know and can do that adds value to yourself and the people around you.

In fact, you can think of your own human capital like you would a character in a video game, where the more skills and abilities your character gains, the more valuable your character becomes over time. 

And just like in a video game, the more skills and experience you collect, the stronger and more valuable you become, allowing you to level up and take on greater challenges and responsibilities in the game of life.

Now, as critical as human capital sounds, the truth is that many individuals believe that human capital development stops after college.

The fact is, however, that if you're looking for a way to supercharge your path to financial independence and preserve the wealth you have today, then understanding who you need to become, executing like a pro, and taking your skills to the right arena can ensure that you're making the most of your most vital wealth-building asset.

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All it takes is just one stock to go to the moon, and that's it, you're set for life, right? Well, if it were only that simple. You see, concentrated investing, or keeping your eggs in one basket, seems to work until it doesn't.
 
Now, make no mistake, concentrated investing isn't all that bad. In fact, notable investor Warren Buffett is known to have made lots of money decade after decade because he takes big bets. 
 
Even so, concentrated investing isn't for everyone.
 
In fact, if you were to personally ask the Oracle of Omaha for investment advice, he'd likely tell you to buy a diversified basket of stocks that tracks the S&P 500 index and simply hold on to your investments for the long haul!
 
And why would a sage investor give such seemingly conflicted advice?
 
Well, that's because Buffett knows that concentrated investing cuts both ways. You see, on the one hand, you could score big under the right circumstances or find yourself desperately holding onto a failing position that wipes away your life savings when fate turns against you.
 
Indeed, whether you've intentionally placed all your eggs in one basket or are simply trying to figure out what to do with your restricted stock or stock options, then having a plan is essential to preventing unfavorable outcomes. 
 
And this approach starts with checking for concentrated holdings, assessing your risk tolerance to manage such a position, and then understanding how to rebalance away or hedge risk when necessary.

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Evidence suggests that this year's risk asset rally is likely primed for a pullback.
 
So now, why now?
 
Why the glum news after the S&P 500 index posted one of its strongest year-to-date gains in a while?
 
Well, it's essential to remember that most market activity is underpinned by a narrative or a story that influences price swings either higher or lower.
 
And this year's rally isn't any different.
 
To be sure, the consensus view among many investors this year was that the Federal Reserve (the Fed) would finally beat inflation by aggressively raising interest rates.
 
And, while higher rates are typically a market headwind, investors bet that the Fed's aggressive moves would eventually tip the economy into a recession, prompting policymakers to reverse course sooner rather than later.
 
Now, the Fed tends to cut rates to get ahead of rising unemployment, which tends to happen during a recession, and so financial markets interpret falling interest rates as supportive of market prices.
 
And so, while headline inflation has fallen this year, the long forecasted recession has failed to materialize.
 
Now, in any other situation, this would be a win for households, businesses, and policymakers alike.
 
But the fact that the US economy continues to hum along even as it's now more expensive than ever to borrow money suggests that the fight against inflation isn't over yet, and the story many investors have been betting on this year likely won't happen as quickly as once hoped.

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If you have people who depend on you, then you need life insurance. That’s all you need to know, right?

Well, if it were only that simple. 

That’s because knowing that you need insurance is a first step, then comes the work of figuring out how much you need to cover estate expenses, debts, living expenses, college savings, and future financial goals.

To be sure, buying life insurance can be one of the most reassuring and, at the same time, the most stressful decisions you can make. On the one hand, you’re paying to transfer financial risk from yourself to a third party so that, should you pass unexpectedly, your family will be taken care of financially.

And on the other hand, purchasing financial protection for your life is stressful because how do you know if you’ve got too much or not enough? I mean, seriously, how do you put a price tag on your life and quantify your worth?

Well, the truth is that quantifying the value of your life is more than just looking at a number. It’s about putting a price on your ability to provide for your loved ones. You know, money will never do that for you, but it can help ease the uncertainties along the way.

And so, when it comes to figuring out how much life insurance you should buy, there are a few approaches you can take to determine an ideal amount of coverage for your family to not only take care of their immediate need but also meet their needs for the rest of their lives.

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Let’s face it, no one likes paying Uncle Sam more than his fair share. But what if there was a way to take advantage of financial planning techniques to not only grow your savings, but also help protect your family and transfer wealth tax-free? 

Sounds too good to be true, right?

Well, it’s more possible than you think. And as a highly driven individual, you likely have multiple streams of income to consider, like your salary, bonuses, stock options, and perhaps even revenue from a side hustle or business. 

And with these multiple income streams and your high earnings, you’re likely setting yourself and your family up for an even higher tax liability in the years ahead unless you do something about it today. 

That’s where tax planning comes in. 

Now, tax planning is essential because it provides a structured approach to minimize the taxes you owe. And without adequate tax planning, you could end up paying more to Uncle Sam than necessary, which reduces the amount of wealth available to you and your family. 

To be sure, the financial decisions you make today can have significant tax implications on your future wealth. That’s why understanding how to harness techniques to gain tax-free income can help you avoid paying thousands to the IRS, leave more to your family, and to ultimately make more informed financial decisions.

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What comes to your mind when you think of the word, “risk?”

Maybe when you hear the word “risk”, you think of the word danger, or the potential for of an undesirable outcome to your health, wealth or time. 

Or maybe when you hear the word, “risk”, you think of all the possibilities associated with potential outsized financial gains as you put some of your money on the line for a solid investment. 

Either way, whether you see it as a danger keep away from at all costs or an opportunity to make money, moving through risk carefully can open up a world of opportunities for you when approached thoughtfully.

Indeed, risk is like a powerful and unpredictable ocean wave faced head on by a skilled surfer. And, just like that surfer, when you skillfully navigate it, harness its energy and ride it skillfully, you can experience an exhilarating surge that propels your life forward, allowing you to reach new heights that you otherwise wouldn’t have been able to experience. 

However, if you underestimate its strength or fail to maintain your balance on life’s surfboard, then that same wave can quickly overpower you, pull you underwater and humble you in an instant.

Indeed, just like riding the waves of your own life, sometimes you need to know which risks to take and which to avoid, how to prevent unnecessary losses when you do take risks as well as being prepared for when life throws you an unexpected curveball.

That’s why when it comes to achieving and maintaining financial independence, being able to master the way you prepare for risks is key to sustaining the wealth you build along the journey.

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Asset protection, securely transferring wealth, and keeping your family's finances on track no matter what life throws at you. Who doesn't want that, right? Well, these outcomes were top of mind for Craig, a devoted husband, a father of two, and a tech professional.

Now, having built a successful career and arriving at a solid place in life financially, Craig grew increasingly concerned about his family's financial stability. That's because Craig had earned a lot in his career and wanted to ensure that his family could manage it all if he passed away unexpectedly.

And so, Craig did some digging online and found a way to handle his money even if he wasn't around. In fact, he learned that the estate planning technique of a trust is when someone takes care of your money and gives it to others according to his established rules.

What's more, Craig learned that trusts are a valuable way to safeguard his family's finances, maintain their privacy, and make it easier to manage his estate. Now, after conducting further research and consulting with a trusted advisor, Craig decided to create a trust. 

And this decision marked the beginning of his journey towards financial expertise and reinforced his commitment as a responsible family man.

Indeed, a trust can be a powerful expression of love for your family's future and help guide them to make wise choices with the wealth you've accumulated.

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