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Steve Coker, CFP
- May 31
- 3 min
The Pros and Cons of Owning a Rental Property
We are frequently asked whether it is a good idea to invest in real estate. The answer of course is “it depends”. As the saying goes,...
Steve Coker, CFP
- May 24
- 3 min
Investing Basics: What is an ETF?
I’ve recently had a number of conversations about ETFs – how they work, what the benefits are, etc. Despite the fact that they make up a...
Steve Coker, CFP
- Apr 19
- 2 min
Risk Realized
So far, April has not been good for the stock market, which is now down almost 6% from its high at the end of March. The most significant...
Steve Coker, CFP
- Apr 12
- 2 min
The Cost of Chasing Fund Performance
It’s so easy to do and seems so reasonable. If you have a mutual fund that is underperforming, why not simply swap it out for a fund...
Steve Coker, CFP
- Mar 15
- 2 min
Rebalancing: Self-Discipline in Buying Low and Selling High
One of the often-quoted tenets of good investing is to buy low and sell high. Similar to commercial spending – you want to purchase...
Steve Coker, CFP
- Mar 8
- 2 min
On Elephants and Donkeys
During my 20 years of professional investing experience, I have learned that political considerations rarely matter as much as the papers...
Steve Coker, CFP
- Feb 25
- 3 min
Inheriting an IRA? 4 key rules you should know
If you have been named as the beneficiary of an IRA then you should know that inheriting an IRA is different from inheriting other...
Steve Coker, CFP
- Jan 7
- 2 min
2023 A Year in Review
What a difference a year makes! As we began 2023 we featured some of the common doomsday predictions that we found in the media:...
Steve Coker, CFP
- Dec 16, 2023
- 2 min
Santa Claus Rally
It is only the middle of December, but the Santa Claus rally is topping off what has been a very good year in stock and bond markets. ...
Steve Coker, CFP
- Dec 8, 2023
- 3 min
Why Dividends Matter – and Don’t
When it comes to stock investing, dividends matter – and don’t. Here is what I mean. Dividends truly matter to overall stock returns...
Steve Coker, CFP
- Dec 1, 2023
- 2 min
The Basics of Restricted Stock Units
If you are a corporate executive then it is likely that you are receiving Restricted Stock Units (“RSU”) as a key part of your...
Steve Coker, CFP
- Nov 17, 2023
- 3 min
Qualified Charitable Donations
Qualified Charitable Distributions (“QCD”) allow eligible IRA owners aged 70.5 or older to make up to $100,000 in tax-free gifts to...
Steve Coker, CFP
- Apr 21, 2023
- 2 min
How To Tell If Something Is a Scam
As returns on publicly traded investments like stocks and bonds struggle, investors are turning to “special” private deals that claim to...
Steve Coker, CFP
- Feb 3, 2023
- 3 min
Social Security Survivors Benefit
When the unthinkable happens and one spouse dies, Social Security provides a benefit, commonly referred to as the widow’s benefit, to the...
Steve Coker, CFP
- Dec 9, 2022
- 2 min
Too Hot or Too Cold?
The stock market had a tough week as investors vacillated between worries that the economy is too hot, which would lead to more...
Steve Coker, CFP
- Oct 21, 2022
- 2 min
The Housing Recession Deepens
Mortgage rates are still rising, reaching 7% this month from around 3% less than 12 months ago. As a result, mortgage applications for...
Steve Coker, CFP
- Jul 29, 2022
- 2 min
How much cash should I hold?
With continued market volatility, we have been receiving questions about how much cash to hold. How much is too much and how much is too...
Carole Meitler
- Jul 23, 2022
- 3 min
Our Top 5 Things To Consider Doing In A Down Market
With the S&P 500 down over 20% this year so far and the NASDAQ even more so, many are understandably concerned. However, there are some...
Steve Coker, CFP
- Jul 15, 2022
- 2 min
Bonds Have Had a Terrible Year (and that is what makes them attractive)
There is no question that bonds have had a terrible year. How terrible? The Bloomberg Aggregate Bond Index has fallen over 10%...
Steve Coker, CFP
- Jul 8, 2022
- 3 min
Why you shouldn’t pay off your mortgage with your IRA
Paying off the mortgage is a noble goal and is a great idea for most Americans. Having a ‘mortgage burning’ or ‘debt free scream’ is a...
