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Friday, September 11, 2020

This week I’d like to acknowledge the deep suffering, loss, fear, and disruption experienced by our dear friends and neighbors here in Santa Cruz County in recent weeks. The devastation has been total for many and my heart goes...

 

Monday, August 3, 2020

By Kristina Kuprina, Founder & CEO, Sequoia Wealth Advisors One of the key components to a rich and meaningful life is balance. To that end, we all sit on a four-legged stool supported equally by our physical health, our emotional and...

 

Monday, August 3, 2020

By Kristina Kuprina, Founder & CEO, Sequoia Wealth Advisors The world is undergoing a major metamorphosis. These are astonishing and inspirational times. As a species, we are changing behaviors and thought processes in real-time....

 

Monday, August 3, 2020

By Kristina Kuprina, Founder & CEO, Sequoia Wealth Advisors The words ‘wealth’ and ‘prosperity’ are often used interchangeably, but what do they really mean? Wealth is your money, your assets, your material...

 

Monday, August 3, 2020

By Kristina Kuprina, Founder & CEO, Sequoia Wealth Advisors Humans love to project human characteristics upon money. We mythologize it. We describe it as good or evil. Some worship money. Others fear it. We vilify those who have a lot...

 

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Monday, August 3, 2020

By Kristina Kuprina, Founder & CEO, Sequoia Wealth Advisors Forget what most financial advisors tell you. There’s no magic retirement number. There’s only a retirement purpose. Take money out of the equation for a moment....

 

Monday, August 3, 2020

By Kristina Kuprina, Founder & CEO, Sequoia Wealth Advisors If any single word defines 2020, it’s uncertainty. While there’s no predicting what the world may look like in five years, you can still determine what you need to...

 

Monday, August 3, 2020

By Kristina Kuprina, Founder & CEO, Sequoia Wealth Advisors They say the definition of insanity is to continue to use a strategy or behavior and expect a different result. A vast number of investors are trapped in this financial loop....

 

Monday, August 3, 2020

By Kristina Kuprina, Founder & CEO, Sequoia Wealth Advisors I had a long-term client who dreamed of buying his own boat and fishing the California coast. We built a plan. He saved, invested, and did well. Eventually, he made enough to...

 

Friday, July 31, 2020

By Kristina Kuprina, Founder & CEO, Sequoia Wealth Advisors. Like nature, money doesn’t operate in a vacuum. It affects nearly every aspect of our lives. It’s not only a direct reflection of the things we value, but our...

 

Friday, July 3, 2020

By Kristina Kuprina, Founder & CEO, Sequoia Wealth Advisors (CA Insurance Lic. #0F11184) To be financially conscious is to understand how the manifold aspects of your money fit together. It’s an awareness of how your personal...

 

Friday, July 3, 2020

By Kristina Kuprina, Founder & CEO, Sequoia Wealth Advisors (CA Insurance Lic. #0F11184) “Keep only those things that speak to your heart. Then take the plunge and discard all the rest,” writes Japanese home decluttering...

 

Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Some investors see the current investing environment—which depends heavily on the stability of oil companies, insurance providers, and large financial institutions—as unsustainable in the wake of climate change. As stricter...

 

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

More bad economic data A record 20.5 million people lost their jobs in April, well above the previous record of 2 million during World War II. This is further confirmation of how quickly our economy stopped, and the LPL strategists...

 

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

We are currently living in a confusing time where most of us cannot leave our homes. At first, this sounds great, but then you are hit with reality. You, and probably your spouse are working from home, and your kids’ school has...

 

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Using money to enhance your life and the lives of those around you Money matters are complex and even scary. How you choose to approach finances mentally is key to mastering them. Financial advisors call this “money mindfulness...

 

Friday, May 1, 2020

Even if you're not one of the 36 percent of Americans whose mental health has been affected by the coronavirus pandemic, it's important to be proactive when it comes to maintaining a positive emotional state during these turbulent...

 

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Over the past couple of weeks, we have thankfully witnessed new cases of COVID-19 in the US trending lower. Increasingly, we are also seeing governors implementing plans to re-open their state economies in phases. If the US economy...

 

Thursday, April 23, 2020

With 22 million jobs lost in the past four weeks, a record drop in retail sales, and huge drops in industrial production and housing starts, it is safe to say we are likely in a recession. Even the Federal Reserve (Fed) in the recent...

 

Friday, April 17, 2020

The economic data keeps getting worse, yet stocks have been in the midst of one of the greatest multi-week rallies ever. As the LPL Chart of the Day shows, the S&P 500 Index gained 27.2% in the 15 days after the March 23 lows, the...

 

Thursday, April 9, 2020

Stocks have rallied nicely off the March 23 lows on the back of a bold policy response from the Federal Reserve (Fed) and lawmakers in Washington, DC, which was followed by signs that a peak in growth of COVID-19 cases may come soon....

 

Monday, April 6, 2020

When you die, what will happen to your retirement plan benefits? In general, your retirement plan benefits pass to the beneficiaries you designate on the plan beneficiary designation form. Your benefits will generally be subject to...

 

Thursday, April 2, 2020

“Could there be another depression” is one of the top questions we’ve received over the past week. “Yes, we are in a recession and many are worried if things may get much worse before they get better,”...

 

Wednesday, April 1, 2020

The United States has more cases of the coronavirus than any other country, and in an attempt to stop the spread of this disease, states have closed schools and businesses throughout the country. These unprecedented shutdowns have...

 

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented volatility in recent weeks that has investors and traders scrambling to assess the economic and market impact of the aggressive containment measures. This past week the CBOE Volatility...

 

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

The market volatility continues, as the S&P 500 Index has closed either up or down 4% or more for a record 7 consecutive days. With the S&P 500 Index down 30% from the highs, it has officially moved into a bear market. Yesterday, we...

 

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

The dizzying volatility over the past few weeks has left all of our heads spinning as we wait for containment efforts in the United States and elsewhere to help slow new cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus). Public health is of course our...

 

Wednesday, March 4, 2020

Is your growing business still a one-person operation? As your company continues to grow and the workload increases, it is easy to find yourself wearing too many hats and not having enough hours in the day to accomplish everything that...

 

Tuesday, March 3, 2020

Installment debt, in itself, is not a bad thing. It enables us to make major purchases that would be nearly impossible to finance up front. In this consumer society, however, we're bombarded with advertisements for literally thousands...

 

Tuesday, March 3, 2020

Financial planning is more than just a good idea. Research has consistently shown that people who have financial plans -- and who work with financial advisors -- save and invest far more and are nearly twice as likely to feel on track...

 

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

The global equity weakness continued yesterday, with consecutive 3% drops for the S&P 500 Index for the first time since August 2015. It might be hard to believe, but exactly one week ago today the S&P 500 was making a new all-time...

 

Wednesday, February 19, 2020

The recent news that technology giant Apple would miss its fourth quarter 2020 revenue targets has understandably increased investor anxiety surrounding the potential economic impact of the coronavirus (now called COVID-19). Lost in...

 

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

A late month selloff in January saw the S&P 500 Index close marginally lower for the month. But stocks have taken off in February, with the S&P 500 up nearly 4% this month, as US economic data remains strong and fears over the...

 

Wednesday, February 5, 2020

Monday’s strong manufacturing report caught our attention, even as the coronavirus outbreak dominated the financial media. At 50.9, the Institute for Supply Management’s (ISM) manufacturing purchasing managers’ index...

 

Tuesday, February 4, 2020

A trust is a legal entity that is central to a three-part agreement in which an individual — the trust’s "grantor" — transfers the legal title to an asset to that trust for the purpose of benefiting one or more...

 

Tuesday, February 4, 2020

First the car broke down, then the dishwasher stopped working, and now the dog is sick. Sometimes the old proverb, "It never rains but it pours," seems to ring a little too true. When you need money to pay large, unexpected bills,...

 

Wednesday, January 29, 2020

Fears that the deadly coronavirus would spread further around the globe intensified Monday and led to the biggest one-day drop in the S&P 500 Index since October 8, 2019. In fact, it was the first time the index moved 1% in either...

 

Monday, January 20, 2020

Breath is life. Life is breath. The yoga sages of India have embraced this link for centuries, where conscious breathing has long been an integral part of daily life. More recently, Western researchers have also begun to acknowledge...

 

Wednesday, January 15, 2020

Fourth quarter earnings season kicked off this week with 24 S&P 500 Index companies slated to report results. Our expectations are for a marginal increase in S&P 500 earnings per share (EPS) on a year-over-year basis, based on current...

 

Monday, January 13, 2020

With the decline of traditional pensions, most of us are now responsible for squirreling away money for our own retirement. In today's do-it-yourself retirement savings world, we rely largely on 401(k) plans and IRAs. However, there...

 

Thursday, January 9, 2020

The first five days of 2020 are in the books. Although the headlines have been quite scary, equities have picked up right where they left off last year. In fact, after the first five trading days of the new year, the S&SP 500 Index is...

 

Monday, January 6, 2020

Americans, it seems, are spenders. Personal savings rates are low and many people spend beyond their means. If you're among those Americans who can't seem to save, it might be time to create a budget. A budget allows you to understand...

 

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

The fourth quarter is winding down, and investors are getting nervous that volatility in the short-term lending market could flare up once again. Rates on repurchase agreements (repos) jumped in September 2019 amid a shortage of cash...

 

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

It may be better to give than to receive, but it may be even better to give and see your generosity rewarded. Charitable giving can play a valuable role in your financial and tax strategies. A well-planned gift to charity could provide...

 

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

The core Consumer Price Index (CPI), which excludes food and energy prices, rose 2.3% year over year in November, just below a cycle high of 2.4% growth last reached in September 2019. Inflationary pressures have recovered noticeably...

 

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

It has been a rough start to the most wonderful month of them all, with the S&P 500 Index down each of the first two days of December. Don’t stop believing just yet, though. Everyone knows December has usually been a good month...

 

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

This Thanksgiving, we’re thankful for solid consumer confidence, even though it has wavered in recent months. Consumer confidence fell for a fourth straight month in November, according to preliminary Conference Board data. Even...

 

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

The S&P 500 Index has closed higher five consecutive weeks, making six new all-time highs along the way. There now have been 19 new highs in 2019, tying the number we saw last year. There’s no doubt that this bull market has been...

 

Monday, November 4, 2019

Self-employment is the opportunity to be your own boss, to come and go as you please, and oh yes, to establish a lifelong bond with your accountant. If you're self-employed, you'll need to pay your own FICA taxes and take charge of...

 

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Gross domestic product (GDP) growth slowed for a third quarter, but the U.S. economy is still chugging along at an average pace. GDP grew 1.9% in the third quarter, its slowest pace of growth since the fourth quarter of 2018, as shown...

 

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

“Everything is awesome, when you’re living out a dream.” The Lego Movie As the S&P 500 Index continues to flirt with new record highs, something under the surface is taking place that is making 2019 extremely special....

 

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

There are five estate planning documents you may need, regardless of your age, health, or wealth: Durable power of attorney Advance medical directives Will Letter of instruction Living trust The last document, a living trust, isn't...

 

Tuesday, October 8, 2019

Setting financial and investment goals Setting goals is a very important part of life in general and in financial planning in particular. Before you actually invest your money, you should spend some time considering and setting your...

 

Wednesday, October 2, 2019

One of the first steps you’ll take in the estate planning process is determining how much planning you’ll need to undertake. Two key components of your initial needs evaluation are an estate analysis and a settlement cost...

 

Monday, September 23, 2019

Perhaps Bette Davis said it best when she observed, “Old age is no place for sissies.”¹ The challenges seniors have met throughout their lives have made them wiser and stronger, preparing them for the unique...

 

Monday, September 16, 2019

If you are preparing to change jobs, do you know what your choices are for managing the money in your current employer's retirement plan? Although many people choose to take a cash distribution, there are other options that may...

 

Monday, September 9, 2019

If you don't have a financial plan, that question may be hard to answer. To achieve financial wellness, you need to define your goals and set a time frame for reaching them. The following steps can help you take control of your...

 

Monday, September 2, 2019

Go out into your yard and dig a big hole. Every month, throw $50 into it, but don't take any money out until you're ready to buy a house, send your child to college, or retire. It sounds a little crazy, doesn't it? But that's what...

 

Monday, August 26, 2019

You've worked long and hard to accumulate the assets that you are using to help finance your retirement. Now, it's time to start drawing down those assets. Exactly how you liquidate your assets will affect your tax and impact how long...

 

Sunday, August 18, 2019

Money. It's hard to get and easy to lose. It doesn't take long for the wealth you've accumulated to disappear if you don't manage your money well or have a plan to protect your assets from sudden calamity. Snares like the ones...

 

Monday, August 12, 2019

After years of saving and investing, you can finally see the big day -- retirement. But before kicking back, you still need to address a few matters. Decisions made now could make the difference between your money outlasting you or...

 

Monday, August 5, 2019

As just about every investor knows, it's not what your investments earn, but what they earn after taxes that counts. After factoring in federal income and capital gains taxes, the alternative minimum tax, and any applicable state and...

 

Monday, July 22, 2019

There are a lot of issues that couples need to think about when tying the knot -- wedding preparations, family, and, of course, finances. Addressing personal finance and investment issues before the big day may help improve your odds...

 

Monday, July 15, 2019

What does giving to charity mean to you? Perhaps you think of dropping your change into a can at a local shop or placing a few dollars into a Salvation Army kettle during the holidays. Maybe you've bought Girl Scout cookies or donated...

 

Monday, July 8, 2019

Do you ever wonder where your money goes each month? Does it seem like you're never able to get ahead? If so, you may want to establish a budget to help you keep track of how you spend your money and help you reach your financial...

 

Monday, July 1, 2019

Grab your sunglasses -- summer's here, and it's time to kick back and relax. If only it were that easy. It would be great if all your worries disappeared when summer arrived, but that doesn't happen. Actually, if money is stressing...

 

Tuesday, June 25, 2019

We are pleased to announce the release of the LPL Research Midyear Outlook 2019: FUNDAMENTAL: How to Focus on What Really Matters in the Markets, with investment insights and market guidance through the end of 2019. LPL Research...

 

Monday, June 24, 2019

Young adults in their twenties and early thirties face a variety of challenges in their quest for financial security. Some of these challenges are similar to those faced by previous generations, while others are unique to the times. If...

 

Monday, June 17, 2019

An individual retirement arrangement (IRA) is a personal savings plan that offers specific tax benefits. IRAs are one of the most powerful retirement savings tools available to you. Even if you're contributing to a 401(k) or other...

 

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Trade tensions have interrupted an unusually calm year in U.S. stocks. In May, the S&P 500 Index fell from an April 30 record high as the United States and China failed to reach a trade deal and escalated tariff tensions. The United...

 

Monday, June 10, 2019

As a business owner, you should carefully consider the advantages of establishing an employer-sponsored retirement plan. Generally, you're allowed a deduction for contributions you make to an employer-sponsored retirement plan. In...

 

Monday, June 3, 2019

529 plans are tax-advantaged education savings vehicles and one of the most popular ways to save for education today. Much like the way 401(k) plans revolutionized the world of retirement savings a few decades ago, 529 plans have...

 

Monday, May 27, 2019

By definition, estate planning is a process designed to help you manage and preserve your assets while you are alive, and to conserve and control their distribution after your death according to your goals and objectives. But what...

 

Monday, May 20, 2019

You were having a great time on your vacation--until your toddler woke up from her nap with a fever. If you were at home, you'd take her to the pediatrician right away and rely on your health insurance to pay for her care. But what do...