Monthly Archives: October 2014

The Lesson from the Bill Gross Saga: Invest in Markets, Not Managers

Wednesday, October 29, 2014 | Joe Alfonso, GoLocalPDX Contributor It’s been interesting to follow the recent handwringing in the financial press about Bill Gross, the bond fund manager, and his abrupt departure from the investment firm, PIMCO. For those of...

The Social Security Safety Valve: How ‘File and Suspend’ Could Work for You

Wednesday, October 22, 2014 | Joe Alfonso, GoLocalPDX Contributor Many of us have heard about the “file and suspend” strategy used to maximize Social Security benefits for married couples. In this strategy, at full retirement age (FRA) (age 66 if...

How to Make Sure Your Retirement Portfolio Lasts As Long As You Do

Wednesday, October 15, 2014 | Joe Alfonso, GoLocalPDX Contributor Imagine that you‘ve reached the end of a long working career. The house is paid off, the kids have finished college and your retirement savings have grown to be worth $1M...

Four Tips for Year End Tax Planning

Wednesday, October 08, 2014 | Joe Alfonso, GoLocalPDX Contributor April 15 is still a ways off and taxes are probably pretty far from your mind. Now, however, is a great time to take advantage of tax saving opportunities that will...

Finding the Right Financial Adviser

Wednesday, October 01, 2014 | Joe Alfonso, GoLocalPDX Contributor No one wakes up in the morning and decides that today is the day they will hire a financial adviser. It usually takes a big “spear in the back,” such as...