Darius Gagne, PhD, CFP®, CFA Darius Gagne, PhD, CFP®, CFA

Balancing Act: Managing Risk and Returns in Equity Portfolios

It’s no secret that over the last decade, the S&P 500 stock index has outperformed the other major asset classes. Did your equity portfolio fall somewhere in between? If it maintained a balanced blend of stocks across global markets, that's likely the case, and it's indicative of a successful outcome. Here's why.

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Wende Headley, CFP®, MBA, CDFA® Wende Headley, CFP®, MBA, CDFA®

3 Executive Compensation Pitfalls Women Should Avoid

Senior business leaders are often so busy managing the demands of their jobs that they risk missing out on opportunities to maximize their finances. Executive compensation and benefits packages can be extremely complicated and frequently require additional time and expertise to understand.

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Kimberly Helm, CFP® Kimberly Helm, CFP®

Invest Like a Woman 

It used to be a common playground slight: “You throw like a girl!” The activity might have been running, shooting a basketball, or some other pursuit—but regardless of context, being told you did it “like a girl” was never intended as a compliment.

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David DeWolf, CPA, MBA, CFP® David DeWolf, CPA, MBA, CFP®

I’m a Small Business Owner, Five Years from Retirement. What Should I Do?

Let me introduce you to Sam (not his real name). Sam has lived in the community his whole life, and over the years, he has built a solid reputation as well as a thriving construction company. Sam knows everybody, from the people behind the counter at the local builder’s supply store to the officers of the local banks.

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Beth Greulich, CFP® Beth Greulich, CFP®

Financial Confidence as a Widow

One of the greatest vulnerabilities that women face is the lack of financial stability. This can be the result of a lack of knowledge, not simply the lack of assets. After all, “knowledge is power,” so whether you are widowed or still happily married, now is the time to empower yourself by learning the specifics of your family’s financial situation.

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Darius Gagne, PhD, CFP®, CFA Darius Gagne, PhD, CFP®, CFA

Navigating Market Shifts: A Recap of 2023 and Outlook for 2024

The year 2023 proved to be a pivotal one for our Investment Committee, marking a transition from the foundational year of Quantum's launch in 2022 to a year dedicated to innovation aligned with our company's mission and vision statement.

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Quantum Financial Advisors Quantum Financial Advisors

SECURE 2.0, and Your Financial Resolutions for 2024

In 2019, Congress passed the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act, which brought big changes to the laws governing retirement accounts, including an easier path for small businesses to offer company-sponsored retirement plans to their employees, a higher age for required minimum distributions (RMDs) for certain retirement plans, and more. Then, in 2022, Congress passed a “sequel”: SECURE 2.0. In addition to the revisions in retirement plans enacted by the previous act, SECURE 2.0 allowed many persons to delay their RMDs even later, eliminated RMDs for Roth 401(k) accounts, and other changes.

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Quantum Financial Advisors Quantum Financial Advisors

Planning for College in 2024: A Tale of Two Students

Many parents with students who are college-bound in 2024 have planned ahead: funding 529 accounts, filling out the necessary forms for financial aid, making campus visits, and doing the many other preparations that go along with getting a child started with higher education. But there are still some things to consider as the time nears for the transition from high school and living at home to college and campus life. Our article provides some helpful tips that you may not have considered.

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Quantum Financial Advisors Quantum Financial Advisors

Multigenerational Wealth: Building It, Maintaining It, and Preparing the Heirs to Receive It 

In Japan, the saying goes, “Rice paddies to rice paddies in three generations.” In Scotland, they say, “The father buys, the son builds, the grandson sells, and his children beg.” In the US, it is framed as “shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations.” The Chinese, perhaps, state it most boldly: “Wealth never survives three generations.”

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Quantum Financial Advisors Quantum Financial Advisors

Year-End Tax Strategies

As 2023 winds down, individuals and businesses alike are turning their attention to year-end tax planning to optimize their financial situations. With the right timing and understanding, you may be able to reduce the size of the check you’ll have to write to the Treasury Department next April. In this article, we will explore key tax planning strategies and provide insights into what to expect in 2024.

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Darius Gagne, PhD, CFP®, CFA Darius Gagne, PhD, CFP®, CFA

The Bumpy Road to Long Term Returns

After enjoying strong returns in the first half of 2023 – a welcome relief from the tough year before – the third quarter was somewhat of a setback for stock market investors. The bond market also gave back some of its gains for the year during the third quarter. It is only human to feel fatigued by the roller coaster ride.

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David DeWolf, CPA, MBA, CFP® David DeWolf, CPA, MBA, CFP®

Creating Value Through Succession Planning

As a business owner, you've poured your blood, sweat, and tears into building your company. It's your brainchild, your life's work, and perhaps even your legacy. However, have you ever thought about what will happen to your business when you decide to step away?

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Matt Higgins, CFP® Matt Higgins, CFP®

401(k)s: The Story of Joe

Let me introduce you to my friend, Joe (not his real name—in fact, he’s not a real person!). Joe is an engineer in his early 40s, and he is in the process of changing jobs—maybe. He has an offer from another firm that involves a slightly higher salary along with enrollment in the firm’s 401(k) plan.

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John Eing, CPA, MBA, CFP® John Eing, CPA, MBA, CFP®

RSUs: Understand and Maximize Their Benefit For You

Restricted Stock Units (RSU) are a very common form of executive compensation that helps align the values of employees and employers toward building long-term success for a company. While the intentions may be easily understood, the mechanics require some explanation.

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Quantum Financial Advisors Quantum Financial Advisors

Empty Nesters: Is Your Estate Plan “Right-Sized”? 

For twenty years or more, you’ve built much of your life—and most of your schedule—around your kids. But now, all that is behind you. The kids have started their careers and, in many cases, their own families, and the “nest”—the home that was once the locus of so much activity—is much quieter.

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Darius Gagne, PhD, CFP®, CFA Darius Gagne, PhD, CFP®, CFA

Note from the CIO: Did That Just Happen?

The first half of 2023 was an unending test of nerves for investors. Those who practiced time-tested investment principles were in a good position to benefit from the recovery in the markets, a welcome turn from last year’s broad declines.

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Quantum Financial Advisors Quantum Financial Advisors

Keeping the Spark Alive: Financial Communication Tips for Successful Couples

When was the last time you and your partner or significant other had a fun, relaxing talk about … money? If you’re like many couples, that sentence may have sounded like a world-class oxymoron. That could be the reason that many couples avoid the topic altogether. In fact, according to Fidelity’s 2021 Couples & Money Survey, 48% of respondents disagree on the age they plan to retire, and 51% disagree on how much savings is needed to retire. On the flip side, those who said they communicated well and regularly about money are more than twice as likely to have expectations of a comfortable retirement lifestyle.

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