Blog
Tackling Rising College Education Costs with Financial Planning
The rising costs of a college education can be daunting, but with careful planning and disciplined saving, parents can take control of their financial futures and ensure their children receive the education they deserve.
Read MoreEconomic Update 2nd Quarter 2023 - Webinar Replay
Economic Update 2nd Quarter 2023 Join Mark Swingle for a recap of the first half of 2023 and a discussion of proactive strategies moving forward.
Read MoreEconomic Update - Second Quarter 2023
I'm delighted to report on the events of the last six months. But first, a reminder of the ideals that guide us at Westfield Financial Planning.
Read MoreUnused 529 Funds Can Soon be Rolled Over into a Roth IRA
The recently passed SECURE 2.0 Act provides a new rule that will allow transfers from 529 College Savings Plans to the beneficiary’s Roth IRAs starting January 2024 without taxes or penalties.
Read MoreLosing Patience Leads to Costly Mistakes
Looking back at the last five major bear markets, historically it took varying amounts of time for the stock market to go from one peak to the next
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What is the SECURE Act 2.0 and How Could It Impact Investors?
The SECURE Act 2.0 was signed into law on December 29, 2022 and aims to enhance retirement savings in the United States. It builds upon the original SECURE Act, which was passed in 2019, and seeks to address some of the shortcomings of...
Read MoreBanking Worries…What About My Investment Accounts?
The recent financial troubles of Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank and Credit Suisse have investors worried, testing the mettle of even the most seasoned investor.
Read MoreAt the Risk of Sounding Like a Broken Record, Stay the Course!
The unpredictable economic market and political chaos since the onset of the pandemic have demonstrated how the economy can neither be consistently forecast nor timed.
Read More‘Tis The Season...For Gifting! “Bah,” said Scrooge, “Humbug.”
Despite this apprehension, there are joyful reasons why gifting while you are alive might be a sensible strategy.
Read MoreUpdate: A Closer Look at I-Bond Rates
Be sure to take a look at last month’s article which explains the very important details of what I-bonds are, their features and limitations, and how to purchase them. This month’s article we’ll discuss the update to...
Read MoreI Keep Hearing About These I-Bonds… What Are They and How Do I Buy Them?
With stocks, bonds, and gold down year-to-date, along with inflation at a 40-year high, I-bonds have become quite popular for their current high interest rate of 9.62% (through the end of October). Sound too good to be true?...
Read MoreHow You Can Purchase I Bonds Direct from the Treasury
With inflation hovering near 40-year highs, some investors are looking for investments that keep pace with rising prices. For many, a Series I Savings Bond is just the ticket. I Bonds give investors a rate of return plus inflation...
Read MoreMedicare Workshop Video Replay
Educational Workshop - Avoid the Top 5 Mistakes People Make on Medicare
Read MoreWhat Should Long-Term Investors Do in the Face of a Recession?
With conflicting economic indicators and opinions, what should long-term investors do in the face of a recession? At Westfield Financial Planning we believe in long-term, goal-focused, and plan-driven investing.
Read MoreThank you clients!
The team from Westfield Financial Planning recently hosted our annual client appreciation dinner with over 50 guests in Mark and Mary Caye’s backyard! The evening featured 3 different food trucks and live music performed by...
Read MoreFocus on Long-Term, Goal-Focused, Plan-Driven Investing
The first half of 2022 saw the S&P 500 decline 23.6% from an all-time high of 4,796.56 to a closing low (so far) of 3,666.77. Finishing up at 3,785.38, it’s the worst six months the Index has weathered since 1970.
Read MoreThe Emotional Rollercoaster of Investing
This graphic, borrowed from Andes Wealth Technology, shows the emotional roller coaster we all experience at some level as the markets go about their ups and downs. The study of Behavioral Finance teaches that the amygdala in our brain...
Read MoreWebinar: Retirement Planning
Retirement planning is a proactive and ongoing process requiring financial expertise, honesty, and empathy, as well as education providing you financial confidence now and into the future.Please enjoy this video replay of our recent...
Read MoreA Guide to Estate Planning
Have you taken the time to create an estate plan? If not, you're far from alone. Only 46% of U.S. adults currently have estate planning documents, according to a survey by Gallup. For those under the age of 50, the figure is even lower...
Read MoreProactive Retirement Strategies Using The SECURE Act
In February of 2022, the IRS and Department of Treasury released 275 pages of proposed regulations to implement the SECURE Act (Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement), that was originally enacted in December 2019. The...
Read MoreHow To Handle Market Declines
You wouldn't be human if you didn't fear loss. Nobel Prize-winning psychologist Daniel Kahneman demonstrated this with his loss aversion theory, showing that people feel the pain of losing money more than they enjoy gains. The natural...
Read MoreAmidst Geopolitical Instability, An Opportunity To Find Comfort In The Past
Concerns about Russia's invasion of Ukraine have weighed heavily on Wall Street in recent days, including last week's broad declines that saw the S&P 500 close in correction territory, which is defined as more than 10% below its most...
Read MoreWelcome to 2022
Welcome to 2022! Whew, we made it. I am hoping this is last of our Five Act tragicomedy.Act I: The Election of 2020Act II: The Election HangoverAct III: Covid-19 Oh My!Act IV: Delta & OmicronAct V: Cue the hero and the happy ending!...
Read MoreTim and Dan Talk Teamwork, Customer Service and Peace of Mind
Daniel M. Song, CFA and Tim Huynh, CFP talk about our practice and how they serve our clients.Song, a partner and portfolio manager, and Huynh, a partner and wealth advisor, work with managing partner and principal advisor Mark Swingle...
Read MoreFiduciary – Schmiduciary – Who Cares?
Most of the time I work as a fiduciary and I believe it is a critical piece of what makes our firm trustworthy. I also personally know a number of fine advisors that do not act as fiduciaries. But I believe everyone would choose...
Read MoreTech Trends In A Post-COVID World
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, several trends in technology have accelerated. It comes as no surprise that consumers and corporations continue to adapt to these advances. Join me, as I examine 2 top trends I’ve been...
Read MoreWhat can 529 Funds be used for
529 savings plans are an excellent way to save and invest money for children's education. But what constitutes a "qualified" educational expense? When that question relates to 529 savings plans, the answer may be broader than you think...
Read More‘Won’t Get Fooled Again’
The Who from: Who's Next (1971)It's a glorious day for a hike on your favorite trail. Suddenly you find yourself on high alert as a black bear crosses your path. Your natural fight-or-flight response takes over because we are...
Read MoreBitcoin – A Primer
"All that glitters is not gold" William Shakespeare, The Merchant of VeniceBitcoin – A Primer"Fiat" is a term derived from the Latin meaning "Let it be done." The US Dollar, like all major global currencies, is a fiat currency....
Read MoreWebinar: The Times They Are A-Changin’
Video Replay: Come along as we take a walk down memory lane in our recent webinar “The Times They Are A-Changin”
Read MoreA Conversation with Mark featured in TAP Into Westfield
Westfield Financial Planning: Passionate About Your Financial HealthWhen he was 8 years old, Mark Swingle took the money he saved from doing extra chores around the house and invested in the stock market. The Westfield boy didn't get...
Read MoreSocially Responsible Investing
Mark's Minute Video: Daniel Song, CFA® discusses what ESG and Socially Responsible Investing is and how Westfield Financial Planning is implementing these funds into our portfolios.
Read MoreInvestment Corner: What is Investment Risk?
What is Investment Risk?How often have you heard someone say, "I've had it with risk. I'm ready to sit tight for a good long time in a safe investment like a CD. Let other people invest in the markets. They can take as much risk as...
Read MoreUsing Appreciated Assets to Achieve Charitable Goals While Rebalancing Your Portfolio
Many individuals own stock with an extremely low basis, the sale of which would result in significant capital gains. This is often the case for individuals who spend a significant portion of their career with one company and acquired...
Read MoreFunding Your Retirement: Some IRA Choices to Consider
It's extremely important that we all take our retirement into our own hands. The concept of not preparing and relying on a government-sponsored retirement is not the best plan. Financial woes combined with the fact that the U.S....
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