Investment Philosophy

A Thoughtful Reply to the Debt Ceiling Crisis
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While there can be a lot of uncertainty, the conclusion is normally anticlimactic.

How to Implement a New Investment Plan
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Next time you are wondering if you should invest now or “wait for a better time,” remember Schwab’s study and invest now in whatever way makes you invest now.

Even Down, Biotechnology Still Had a Place in Efficient Portfolios (2022 Analysis)
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Biotechnology’s low correlation, the very thing that makes you dislike it, is specifically what gives it a place in efficient portfolios.

Q&A: What is Your Strategy’s Expense Ratio? (2022 Analysis)
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You can tell a lot from the expense ratio of an advisor’s preferred funds.

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Retirement Planning

The Best Way to Plan for Inflation is to Discount It
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By discounting portfolio returns to only real returns, we have already considered inflation in the planning targets.

Radio: Projecting Your Own Longevity
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On Tuesday, January 10, 2023, David John Marotta appeared on Radio 1070 WINA’s Schilling Show with Rob Schilling to talk about how long we should plan on living in retirement projections.

Virtual Class: Success and Significance in Retirement (OLLI 2023)
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The class will be held April 13 through May 4, 2023 each Thursday from noon to 1:00 PM on Zoom.

How Long Should I Plan On Living?
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Which is worse: Being destitute while still alive or dying happy and provided for with a little extra?

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Tax Planning

Proposed RMD Rules: The Madness Continues
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“And the now-20-year-old beneficiary who lost her father less than a year ago is supposed to navigate this mess on her own? No chance. This is madness.”

QCD Limitation Starts Inflation-Adjusting in 2024 (Secure 2.0)
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Congress decided to inflation-adjust both the existing and the new split-entity qualified charitable distribution limitations.

What is a Charitable Remainder Trust?
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It is helpful to know that a charitable remainder trust exists, but most charitable intentions benefit more from a donor advised fund.

What Counts As Income For Roth IRA Funding Purposes?
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Roth IRAs can only be funded with earned income. Here is a guide to what the IRS considers to be earned income.

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College Planning

Employer Matching Student Loan Payments Starting in 2024 (Secure 2.0)
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This amendment applies to 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans, SIMPLE IRAs, and governmental 457(b) plans.

The Art and Science of a Bond Allocation (529 Plan Example)
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Adding more Stability to an asset allocation isn’t an easy issue. It takes science to know how much bonds you need. It takes artistry to gradually adjust your asset allocation over time. 

How to Change a 529 Plan Account Owner
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While you may think that the account owner needs to stay the same, you can easily change the account owner.

Q&A: Can I Leave Money to a 529 in My Estate?
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Can I leave money directly to those 529 plans in my estate plan?

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Budgeting

Radio: Best Practices For Using Credit Cards
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On Tuesday, April 11, 2023, David John Marotta appeared on Radio 1070 WINA’s Schilling Show with Rob Schilling to talk about best practices for using credit cards.

Are Store Credit Cards Worth The Risk?
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In order for a store credit card to be worth consideration, it should offer cash back of somewhere near 5% and have no annual fee.

Why the Verizon Visa Credit Card is My Primary Card
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I have adopted this card as the primary one in my wallet for groceries and gas.

Account Funding Priorities for 2023
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A savings waterfall is a tool to help investors prioritize savings goals and allocate funds appropriately.

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Various Topics

The Complete Guide to Funding a Custodial Roth IRA
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Here you can find our article series detailing how and why you should fund a custodial Roth IRA for your children.

Retirement Wisdom (The Series)
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In 2004, David Marotta wrote a seven part series originally titled “Retirement Wisdom.” The series explained the the seven principles to reaching your retirement goals.

How to Implement Basic Investment Strategies
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In 2009, David Marotta wrote a five-part article series for the Charlottesville Business Journal covering basic investment strategies. Its advice is still relevant today.

How to Budget for Emergencies (The Series)
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It is possible to be prepared for financial emergencies by living 10% more frugally and saving for the inevitable eventuality.

What is the Correlation of the Asset Classes?
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Asset classes are best defined by looking at the correlation of their returns. These four 2015 articles take a close examination at the three appreciation asset classes.

The Do-It-Yourself Checklist: Account Set Up
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How to go from where you are now to being one of our clients under our “Do-It-Yourself” service level.

Your Investment Manager’s Politics Matter (Where Markets Fail Series)
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An investment manager who is “at times a soft socialist” like Voss will be more likely to engage in active management, market timing, and gambling on individual stocks.

Remembering June 5, 2013
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On this day in 2013, Snowden revealed the U.S. government was actively pursuing the constant surveillance of everyone’s digital life.

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