Blog

Do the right thing – and your business grows

Friday, June 8, 2018

Despite the significant strides the financial services industry has made toward better-informing clients of the cost of doing business, advisors using the fiduciary standard believe more can be done to increase transparency. “The...

"When you get to the fork in the road, take it"... Yogi Berra

John Lui | Monday, May 14, 2018

Time to consider cash equivalents as a viable investment again… After years of near zero and sub 1% yields for cash equivalents, floating rate debt, & short/ultra short term bonds (I will call them USBs), they now offer...

"When you get to the fork in the road, take it"... Yogi Berra

John Lui | Monday, May 14, 2018

Time to consider cash equivalents as a viable investment again… After years of near zero and sub 1% yields for cash equivalents, floating rate debt, & short/ultra short term bonds (I will call them USBs), they now offer...

May 2018 Bond Commentary

Daniel H. Moskowitz, CFP | Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Title: May 2018 Bond Commentary – Dan Moskowitz

Financial Planning for Recent College Graduates

Brian McGeough | Thursday, April 19, 2018

It’s that time of the year when many families are excitedly getting ready to attend their children’s college graduation. Where has the time gone? It feels like just yesterday that we were dropping them off for freshman year...

Know what you own – The importance of rebalancing a portfolio

Brian McGeough | Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Know what you own – The importance of rebalancing a portfolio The stock market has just completed a stellar year with the S&P 500 gaining close to 20% and we are coming out of the gates fast in 2018 with the S&P 500 index up over...

March 2018 Bond Commentary

Daniel H. Moskowitz, CFP | Thursday, March 1, 2018

March 2018 Bond Commentary – Dan Moskowitz

Retirement and Bonds

Daniel H. Moskowitz, CFP | Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Retirement and Bonds - Time to Remember How Bonds Work Dan Moskowitz, CFP® February 20, 2018 The thirty-five-year bull market has clouded many bond buyer’s perspective. The chart below shows interest rates dropping from 1981...

Derivatives and Computers Gone Wild!

John Lui | Sunday, February 11, 2018

Massive short squeeze on speculators gyrates the markets… Financial speculators that were short leveraged derivative products based on the VIX Index, caused massive late afternoon swings in the stock markets last week. One...

Beware the Siren Song of Derivatives...

John Lui | Wednesday, November 22, 2017

The masses do not see the Sirens. They do not hear songs in the air. Blind, deaf, stooping, they pull at their oars in the hold of the earth. But the more select, the captains, harken to a Siren within them... and royally squander...

Do you have a plan for your financial life?

Daniel H. Moskowitz, CFP | Friday, September 22, 2017

Fall is a great time to review your financial plan. If you haven’t yet created one you should.Why is a plan important? A financial plan helps you prepare for the big events in your life. Unless you plan for it, you will not wake...

Kids and Taxes – What You Need to Know

Gregory P. Shaw, CFP | Friday, September 8, 2017

As summer comes to an end, many kids/grandchildren/nieces and nephews are finishing up their summer jobs and heading back to school. Many will continue to work in some capacity throughout the school year.During this past tax season, I...

Benefits of Total Return Investing in an Ultra-Low Interest Rate Environment

John Lui | Wednesday, August 9, 2017

“In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king” Desiderius Erasmus The big picture… A total return approach balances the two investing goals of income and capital appreciation based on market conditions. It does...

Planning for a Special Needs Child or Grandchild

Gregory P. Shaw, CFP | Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Before she reached her second birthday, Julia was a smart, bleach blonde, blue eyed, “gifted” little girl. She could sing her ABC’s at an unusually young age. Soon after turning two, Epilepsy ravaged her body and mind...

Corrections are common and by definition are buying opportunities...

John Lui | Sunday, May 7, 2017

Corrections are common and by definition are buying opportunities, but humans are wired to sell into them… A stock market correction is a temporary decline in the stock market of 10% or more, which does not interrupt the uptrend...

Top Tips For Preventing Identity Theft

Daniel H. Moskowitz, CFP | Wednesday, March 1, 2017

“As most Americans know, we live in an age when it’s not a matter of if, but when you will become a victim of identity theft” - FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez Feb 2016Top Tips For Preventing Identity Theft Add antivirus...

TMI and when less is more…

John Lui | Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Drinking out of a fire hoseYes, it can be overwhelming with the 24/7 financial media and our friends/community sending us links to “news – usually negative as that is what resonates more” via social networks. After...

2016 Year End Commentary

Daniel H. Moskowitz, CFP | Sunday, January 1, 2017

Dear Clients and Friends,Welcome to Chatham Wealth Management's Year End Newsletter. Each January, we like to review the big-picture events and scenarios of the past 12 months that influenced our investment strategies and ultimately...

Estate Planning Update – New Jersey to Repeal It’s Estate Tax

Gregory P. Shaw, CFP | Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Do you remember the New Jersey tourism slogan from the early eighties: “New Jersey and You, Perfect Together”? The message for vacationing in New Jersey meant: long white beaches, surf fishing, entertainment and amusements,...

Stay on course and invest…

John Lui | Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Ronald Read was born in Dummerston, Vermont on October 23, 1921 and died June 2, 2014. Despite, earning a modest living as a gasoline attendant and then as a janitor at JC Penney, Mr. Read amassed an $8 million fortune by investing...

Are dividend stocks the new bonds?

John Lui | Monday, August 1, 2016

In an era of low bank CDs and bond interest rates, we have been increasing our allocation to high quality dividend stocks or “bond like stocks” while reducing our investments from CDs and bonds. This strategy is especially...

If It Sounds Too Good To Be True……

Gregory P. Shaw, CFP | Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Often times, clients reach out to CWM looking for an opinion on an investment (or product) that just sounds too good to be true. They are intrigued by the “guarantees” and “I can’t lose money” features....

Investing Trumps Who is Elected

John Lui | Sunday, May 1, 2016

INVESTING TRUMPS WHO IS ELECTEDIn recent meetings, I can’t recall anyone asking me about China and oil as these scares are fading away like concerns about Greece and the collapse of the Euro did. The focus now is Donald versus...

What is your “Loss Cushion”?

Gregory P. Shaw, CFP | Tuesday, March 1, 2016

It might seem like the sky is falling. The media makes it sound that way. Many of your family or friends may say so. Even you may feel like the sky is falling when your investment statement shows a sudden and rapid...

5 Considerations to Help You Stay Calm in Tough Markets

Daniel H. Moskowitz, CFP | Tuesday, March 1, 2016

If you are standing in the doorway trying to protect yourself as the sky (i.e. stock market) falls, then consider these ideas to help you remain calm.1. Keep your long-term goals in mind: Remember that you have an investment...

Goldilocks and the Three Scares

Daniel H. Moskowitz, CFP | Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Goldilocks is good for the stock market The Goldilocks economy that is not too hot and not too cold is ideal for the stock market. An economy that is too hot raises the likelihood of rapid increases in interest rates that will...

UPDATE: Plan for the Year Ahead…and Beyond

Gregory P. Shaw, CFP | Friday, January 8, 2016

As an update to my commentary several weeks ago, we have been watching closely legislation regarding renewing the so-called Tax Extenders, as mentioned, a series of tax provisions that have lapsed and been reinstated (i.e., extended)...

Plan for the Year Ahead .....and Beyond

Gregory P. Shaw, CFP | Monday, December 28, 2015

As 2015 draws to a close, a turbulent economic and legislative environment means CWM is keeping a close eye on several major planning issues to properly guide our clients:Checking on CongressThe most important thing to do this year for...

Pending Recession?

Daniel H. Moskowitz, CFP | Sunday, November 1, 2015

Many clients and friends I speak with seem to believe that the current stock market rally will end very shortly and a recession is right around the corner. We do not believe this is the case for a number of reasons.

Why Investors Should Avoid Market Timing - A Long-Term, Total Return Investment Perspective

Michael T. Ryan | Sunday, November 1, 2015

Why Investors Should Avoid Market Timing - A Long-Term, Total Return Perspective

"Did you just order a $5 shake"

Daniel H. Moskowitz, CFP | Sunday, November 1, 2015

In the 1994 movie, Pulp Fiction, Mia Wallace ordered a milkshake at Jack Rabbit Slims that cost $5 prompting Vincent Vega to ask, in surprise, “Did you just order a five dollar shake” . After tasting the shake he comments...

Advisor Alpha – It’s More Than Just Portfolio Performance

Gregory P. Shaw, CFP | Thursday, October 1, 2015

Advisor Alpha – It’s More Than Just Portfolio Performance

5 Tips for Bulletproof Liquidity and Financial Readiness

Michael T. Ryan | Thursday, October 1, 2015

5 Tips for Bulletproof Liquidity and Financial Readiness By Michael T. Ryan - October 2015Unexpected expenses and financial emergencies are unfortunately part of life. As John Lennon once said, "Life is what happens to...

“Thank you sir, may I have another”…Paying for college….Everyone should complete the FAFSA to be considered for financial aid

Brian McGeough | Thursday, October 1, 2015

"Thank you sir, may I have another"…Paying for college….Everyone should complete the FAFSA to be considered for financial aidBy Brian McGeough - October 2015When it comes to paying for college, John Blutarsky would probably...

China's After Hours Farming

John Lui | Wednesday, August 12, 2015

China's After Hours Farming! By John Lui - August 12, 2015 While the Shanghai Disney Resort is not expected to open until the Spring of 2016, locals need not wait as they can take a roller coaster ride on the Shanghai Stock Exchange...

529 Plans: Withdrawal Traps to Avoid

Gregory P. Shaw, CFP | Saturday, February 7, 2015

529 Plans – Withdrawal Traps to AvoidBy Gregg Shaw – February 2015As we approach the end of the school year and prepare for the excitement of summer, it won’t be long for high school seniors to be heading off to...

2014 Year End Letter

Daniel H. Moskowitz, CFP | Saturday, January 10, 2015

Welcome to Chatham Wealth Management's Year End Newsletter. Each January, we like to review the big-picture events and scenarios of the past 12 months that influenced our investment strategies and ultimately impacted the value of your portf

Follow earnings and not price movement when investing in the stock market...

John Lui | Monday, December 1, 2014

In meeting with my clients, their biggest concern is that the stock market will have to collapse because it has gone up so high since the March 2009 bottom. Their rationale is, “what goes up must come down”. Although the price level of the

December 2014- Jake From State Farm

John Lui | Monday, December 1, 2014

It’s 3am and a wife sees her husband whispering into the phone. Any normal person would suspect something is not right. Just like the wife in the State Farm commercial, investors

November 2014 Monthly Commentary

Beth Wahlig | Sunday, November 30, 2014

The U.S. economy continued to grow at a steady clip in the second half of 2014.

Six Reasons to Consider a Trust

Gregory P. Shaw, CFP | Monday, September 1, 2014

Six Reasons to Consider a TrustMany people believe establishing a trust will eliminate estate taxes. Although true with certain types of trusts (i.e., irrevocable trusts), people often fail to appreciate the power a trust...

Prepare for your Someday-Social Security

Gregory P. Shaw, CFP | Monday, September 1, 2014

Social Security: “Prepare for your Someday”By Gregg Shaw – September 2014Each day, thousands of Americans apply for first time Social Security benefits. Unfortunately, due to the complexity of the...

I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today J. Wellington Wimpy

John Lui | Friday, August 1, 2014

““I’ll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today”.”J. Wellington Wimpy By John Lui – August 2014E. C. Segar, the Great Depression Era cartoonist, who created Popeye, also gave us Wimpy...

2014 2nd Quarter Client letter

Daniel H. Moskowitz, CFP ® | Tuesday, April 1, 2014

The second quarter of 2014 was a solid one for most asset classes.

Falling BRICS

John Lui | Saturday, March 1, 2014

BRICS as in Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, which represented the fastest growing emerging markets over the last few decades,

CWM wants to protect clients from “Rigged” markets - March, 2014

Daniel H. Moskowitz, CFP ® | Saturday, March 1, 2014

Advisers worry about high-speed trading backlash from

2013 Year End Letter To Clients

Daniel H. Moskowitz, CFP ® | Friday, January 10, 2014

2013 Year in review - A look back at some of the market influencing events:

Savvy Year End Tax Planning December, 2013

Gregory P. Shaw, CFP ® | Friday, December 20, 2013

As we prepare for the busy holiday season, year-end (2013) is quickly coming to a close. The 2013 federal tax code contains a large number of new items, with implications...

What is Yield Investing

John Lui | Friday, November 1, 2013

In today’s environment, it is discouraging to go to the local bank and see the rates you will get on a 6 year CD (certificate of deposit) or one year CD. The website, Bankrate.com publishes the average yield on bank CDs.

Does the Traditional 60%-40% Asset Allocation Still Work - Sept 2013

Beth Wahlig | Friday, September 13, 2013

In today’s investment environment, portfolio managers are questioning the use of the traditional allocation of 60% in stocks and 40% in bonds.

Shale Energy Revolution

Daniel H. Moskowitz, CFP ® | Monday, July 1, 2013

The Shale Energy Revolution

Advisory Fees: Can I Take a Tax Deduction?

Gregory P. Shaw, CFP | Friday, February 1, 2013

Advisory Fees: Can I Take a Tax Deduction?By Gregg Shaw – Feb 2013Now that tax season is in full swing and with less than one month to go until April 15th, taxpayers are looking for any deduction they may qualify for to reduce...