Fiduciary Standard Expansion Law
Last week I wrote about the difference between the fiduciary standard and the suitability standard. I explained that brokers and brokerage houses are only required to give advice that is “suitable” for investors whereas Registered Investment Advisors (RIA) and Investment Advisor Representatives (IAR) are required to act in an investor’s “best interest.” If you missed […]
The CFP Board: Blurring The Lines
This pandemic is causing challenges on all fronts with all the Cutter’s cooped up. The other day I went looking for my favorite snack that my daughter, Sophie, and I favor . . . Cheezits. Well, she beat me to the punch. A quick scan of the pantry shelves reminded me of the toilet paper aisle at Shaws […]
Avoid Panic When It Comes to Your 401(k)
Stock market uncertainty can lead to emotional investing. Financial professional Jennifer Farrington, Ph.D., shared her thoughts with U.S. News & World Report @USNews about avoiding panic when it comes to your 401(k). https://money.usnews.com/money/retirement/401ks/articles/how-to-avoid-panicking-when-your-401-k-is-down #RetirementPlanning This article is intended to provide general information. It is not intended to offer or deliver investment advice in any way. […]
Adversity and Opportunity
Well, another milestone for Cutter Financial this week. Maeve, our oldest daughter, who was officially our “Chief” landscaper since she was 13 has now been promoted to “Summer” intern while on break from nursing school at Quinnipiac. Her sisters have some tough-shoes to fill as Maeve pivots from her landscaping duties to a more professional environment. Maeve […]
Time to do the Math
Jen and I have been extremely busy over the past few weeks talking “virtually” with clients to review their financial systems and to discuss how each of them has been impacted by the pandemic roiled financial markets. Much of the discussions centered around the ongoing economic uncertainty and what, if any, changes may need to be […]
The Corona Pandemic: Emerging From the Crisis
“Seek first to understand, then to be understood.” Whether you attribute those words of wisdom to Stephen Covey’s “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” or further back in time to Saint Francis of Assisi, they are probably as profound as they’ve ever been as the world faces the calamity of the Covid-19 pandemic. In this troubling […]
Finding the Silver Lining
You know, this week marks a milestone for us. This week marks the seventh year that you and I get together each week to break down the complicated issues of Wall Street and how those issues effect folks like us on Main Street. Over the years, we have discussed issues such as market volatility, downside risk […]
Roth IRA Distributions: Be Sure to Read the Fine Print
With Christmas in the rearview window, the Cutter family leapt into 2020 with renewed energy and enthusiasm. For Sophie and Phoebe, this included heading back to the Braintree Mall for yet another shopping trip. This trip meant spending some of the money they received from their grandparents as Christmas gifts. Phoebe also wanted to return […]
Financial Planning in A Recession: Managing Downside Risk
You know, in light of the dramatic events surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, many, if not most of us, have begun practicing all sorts of ways of managing our downside risk. Many of us have stocked up on grocery staples, like food, paper towels, bleach, cleaning supplies, etc. Who would have ever thought that rationalizing toilet paper […]
The Student Loan Crisis
It is hard to believe that I have been in private practice now for about twenty years. In that time, I have had the fortune to have worked with folks from just about every walk of life. Despite the differences in their backgrounds, they all share some common goals. They all thrist for a financial system to help […]
