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Friday, September 1, 2023

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.

Tuesday, August 8, 2023

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.

Thursday, July 20, 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.

Tuesday, June 20, 2023

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.

Thursday, April 27, 2023

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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Monday, April 3, 2023

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...

Tuesday, March 21, 2023

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.

Monday, January 23, 2023

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.

Friday, December 9, 2022

Despite this apprehension, there are joyful reasons why gifting while you are alive might be a sensible strategy.

Monday, November 28, 2022

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...

Wednesday, October 26, 2022

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?...

Monday, October 24, 2022

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...

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

Educational Workshop - Avoid the Top 5 Mistakes People Make on Medicare

Friday, September 30, 2022

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.

Thursday, September 29, 2022

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...

Friday, July 22, 2022

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.

Tuesday, May 3, 2022

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...

Monday, April 25, 2022

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...

Wednesday, March 30, 2022

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...

Thursday, March 24, 2022

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...

Tuesday, March 15, 2022

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...

Tuesday, March 1, 2022

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...

Friday, February 4, 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!...

Monday, January 24, 2022

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...

Saturday, January 1, 2022

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...

Friday, October 1, 2021

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...

Friday, August 27, 2021

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...

Monday, July 26, 2021

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...

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

"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....

Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Video Replay: Come along as we take a walk down memory lane in our recent webinar “The Times They Are A-Changin”

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

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...

Wednesday, July 8, 2020

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.

Thursday, October 3, 2019

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...

Tuesday, July 9, 2019

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...

Wednesday, May 29, 2019

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....