Monthly Archives: May 2016

The chart I am highlighting this week shows a comparison between the calendar year’s gain (or loss) and the largest draw down (market loss) that occurred within the calendar year going back to 1995. You might remember that draw down is the percentage amount of drop an investment has from it’s peak down to it’s trough. In other words, the intra-year maximum loss. The LIGHT BLUE bars show the calendar year return. THE DARK BLUE bars show the intra-year declines (draw down percentage) of the S&P 500. In each … Continue reading

For people aged 70 and a 1/2 or older and who are charitably minded, we can explore a Qualified Charitable Distribution, or QCD for short. Those who like to give to charities including their place of WORSHIP can make a direct transfer from their IRA to the charity, in ANY amount up to $100,000 a year. By doing this they can avoid adding the distribution to their Adjusted Gross Income which can reduce income taxes. You can even make a QCD … Continue reading