The Grinch and our Sixth Client Story: Social Security Claiming Strategy
This year, she decided to dress up like an elf while making the deliveries. She then asked me to don a special costume. As a 48-year-old Jewish guy from Brooklyn, NY, I agreed to wear a onesie Grinch outfit while on our delivery route. I walked in costume throughout our subdivision at constant risk […]
An Opportunity to Protect Against Inflation and Our Fifth Client Story
In advance of our fifth client story, I wanted to respond to one of the most common investment concerns I’ve heard. How can someone structure their portfolio to at least keep up with inflation? Challenging investment environments like this one will always create opportunities. In this case, one of these opportunities can be for conservative […]
Don’t Let Adversity Mask Opportunity and Our Fourth Client Story
In advance of our fourth client story, I wanted to comment about the current investment climate. This has undoubtedly been a very difficult environment for everyone. Having a more conservative allocation than the stock market and having a well-diversified portfolio has helped a lot. However, neither strategy has prevented portfolio declines. Most asset classes have […]
Woodstock Advisor Helps Set & Maintain Financial Strategies
Financial planner Gary Alpert has made Woodstock home for him, his wife Wendy Helen and their pups, Chloe and Skeeter. “I am a member of the Woodstock Rotary Club and really enjoy giving back to the community,” Gary said. “Wendy Helen and I enjoy supporting various local charities and participating in the business community. We […]
A Change in Our Brand and Planning in Early Phases of Retirement
In advance of our second client story, I wanted to announce a small change to our brand. In addition to the great ideas I get from our fantastic team, I get several from my wonderful wife. Wendy Helen indicated that she liked the name Gary Alpert & Associates, but that the name made it […]
Client Stories – Examples of How We Can Help
I like to share brief descriptions of ways in which we have helped individuals and families make great financial decisions. You may be in touch with others that face similar situations. Our motto is “we can help you with that.” We will collaborate with you on any financial decision you make, engaging other subject […]
Lessons Learned From the First Female Thunderbird Pilot
Recently, I attended a continuing education conference in Nashville. The keynote speaker was Nicole Malachowski, a retired US Air Force officer and the first ever female pilot to fly as part of the Air Force Thunderbirds squadron. I love gutsy people! Beyond opening the door of opportunity for women to fly for elite […]
Dealing with Known Unknowns
I don’t think anybody would have guessed a few months ago that we would be witnessing such a tragic sequence of world events. These events will cause a range of emotions along with concerns about how our long-term financial well-being will be impacted. There is no financial plan that is bullet-proof, but there is […]
The Danger of Chasing the Holy Grail
During a period when most investments have lost value, it is common for investors to seek out the few assets that are performing well and then gravitate their portfolio towards these. I think this is particularly the case in an inflationary environment where any negative performance feels particularly painful. When your portfolio is […]
Bonds are the Ghost of Christmas Future
The US Federal Reserve has started to raise interest rates to combat inflation. The expectation is that they will continue to raise interest rates throughout the year and that these increases may be significant. Investors are concerned that these interest rate increases will hurt traditional bonds. However, the worst of the damage may already […]
