Blog

What is the SECURE Act 2.0 and How Could It Impact Investors?

Timothy Huynh, CFP®

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...

Banking Worries…What About My Investment Accounts?

Mark F. Swingle, CFP®

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.

At the Risk of Sounding Like a Broken Record, Stay the Course!

Mark F. Swingle, CFP®

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.

‘Tis The Season...For Gifting! “Bah,” said Scrooge, “Humbug.”

Mark F. Swingle, CFP®

Friday, December 9, 2022

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

Update: A Closer Look at I-Bond Rates

Daniel M. Song, CFA®

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...

I Keep Hearing About These I-Bonds… What Are They and How Do I Buy Them?

Daniel M. Song, CFA®

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?...

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...

Medicare Workshop Video Replay

Mark F. Swingle, CFP®

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

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

What Should Long-Term Investors Do in the Face of a Recession?

Timothy Huynh, CFP®

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.

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...

Focus on Long-Term, Goal-Focused, Plan-Driven Investing

Mark F. Swingle, CFP®

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.

The Emotional Rollercoaster of Investing

Mark F. Swingle, CFP®

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...

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...

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...

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...

How To Handle Market Declines

Timothy Huynh, CFP®

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...

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...

Welcome to 2022

Mark F. Swingle, CFP®

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!...

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...

Fiduciary – Schmiduciary – Who Cares?

Mark F. Swingle, CFP®

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...

Tech Trends In A Post-COVID World

Daniel M. Song, CFA®

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...

What can 529 Funds be used for

Timothy Huynh, CFP®

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...

‘Won’t Get Fooled Again’

Mark F. Swingle, CFP®

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...

Bitcoin – A Primer

Mark F. Swingle, CFP®

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....

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

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...

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.

Investment Corner: What is Investment Risk?

Daniel M. Song, CFA®

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...

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...

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....