Year-End Tax & Gifting Moves
Dear Friends and Family, As 2013 ends, here are some suggestions for review: Make annual IRA contributions (and for your spouse). Review gain/loss transactions for tax planning. Take RMDs if…
Shutdowns & Emerging Markets
Dear Friends and Family, Government Shutdown: There were 17 government shutdowns between 1976 and 1996. The average length was 6.4 days, and market/GDP effects were minimal. The longest, in 1996,…
Why We Use Financial Models
Dear Friends and Family, We’ve been successfully using fundamental financial models to select securities for over 50 years. Here’s why: Models act as checklists. Good models suggest both buy and…
Inflation, Diversification & 401(k)s
Dear Friends and Family, We like to use August as a time to review 401(k)s and retirement plans held outside of Katz Family Financial. The funds in these plans tend…
Interest Rates & Market Resilience
Dear Friends and Family, Thanks to those who didn’t panic during June’s 500-point Dow drop. No calls = confidence. We’ll reach out if action is needed. Key observations: Rising interest…
401(k) Reviews & Lost Policies
Dear Friends and Family, We offer complimentary 401(k) reviews. Send us your current investments and fund options—we’ll help align them to your goals. Let’s talk about the big picture: Retirement…
Volatility & Home Prices
Dear Friends and Family, Volatility means price swings—but we believe risk is the permanent loss of buying power, not short-term movements. We embrace volatility as an opportunity: To buy bargains…
Estate Planning & Document Access
Dear Friends and Family, Tax time is hard enough — don’t make it harder by hiding key documents from loved ones. Organize and share the location of your estate documents.…
Spending Cuts & Bond Risks
Dear Friends and Family, Government budget cuts: The March 1st cuts amount to a 2% reduction in budget—not enough to cause concern. We hope Congress avoids another delay. Bond Fund…
Awards, Inflation & IRA Limits
Dear Friends and Family, Good News: Katz Family Financial Advisors was selected as a 2012 Best of Bethesda Winner and earned the Five Star Best of Seattle Award for the…
Fiscal Lessons & Housing Trends
January 1, 2013 Dear Friends and Family, Let us be the first to wish you a Happy New Year! “Without reflection, we go blindly on our way, creating more unintended…
Fiscal Cliff, ICE & Elder Safety
Dear Friends and Family, “When all else fails, men will be reasonable.” Fiscal Cliff Explained: This refers to the scheduled tax increases and spending cuts in the 2011 Budget Control…