Wealth and happiness – the surprising factor that can increase well-being

Wealth and happiness – the surprising factor that can increase well-being

3 years ago 0 1134

Does money buy happiness?  Wealth and happiness are often paired together.  As you earn more income, invest more into the market, or reduce your debt, you likely feel more life satisfaction. This seems obvious, and many studies* prove this to be correct.  However, in a study conducted by researchers from UC, Riverside, a surprising factor emerged about how you can improve your overall feeling of well-being:  the amount of cash you have…

Gen X insurance: how to put proper midlife protections in place

4 years ago 0 832

If you’re a Gen X-er, it’s likely your life is starting to look very different than it did in your early years when you were just beginning your career and starting a family.  Now you’ve made significant headway in your career, earn a higher income, and have amassed significantly more wealth. Your children may be approaching the age where they can begin driving or they’re getting ready for college. You may also have…

What California homeowners need to know about Proposition 19

4 years ago 0 816

On election day, the narrow passage of Proposition 19 in California brought good news for some homeowners.  The new law allows homeowners who are over 55, or disabled, or victims of wildfires or other disasters to transfer the tax base of their primary residence to a replacement residence.  This expands on the current law which allows homeowners over 55 to retain their tax base within their own county or some reciprocal counties,…

Inflation’s effect on 2021 retirement contribution limits

4 years ago 0 1102

The IRS released the dollar limits for 2021 qualified retirement plan contributions.  For 2021, employees’ and owners’ ability to defer compensation and invest for their future remains about the same as 2020. Because of low inflation, most of the common contribution levels were left unchanged, with defined contribution total dollar amounts (from employee and employer contributions combined) increasing by only $1,000. Although individual contribution levels have not increased, super savers ,who focus…

Q3 2020 Quarterly Context Webinar

4 years ago 0 1187

Interesting contradictions between the economy and markets, Wall St. and Main St. remain… Wobbly economy but stocks, and gold and COVID-19 cases keep going up, while stimulation is high from rates remaining addictively rock-bottom low. How long is the recession expected to last? What impact will elections have on markets, and what has the historical impact been? The GDP annualization whip-saw. FAAANM (big tech) stocks’ increasing influence on markets and…

Create your own Blue Dot to experience Blue Zone benefits

4 years ago 0 1012

  What if you had the recipe of life choices that could help you live longer, healthier, and happier? That is exactly what studies show happens in “Blue Zones,” parts of the world with unusually high numbers of happy centenarians. If you don’t live in a Blue Zone, you do not have to move.  You can strive to create your own Blue Dot right where you are.  Read on for some of…

An opportunity within a crisis within a crisis within a crisis

4 years ago 0 1199

In this time of national stress, the global coronavirus pandemic and the economy have taken a back seat to the centuries-old and often ignored and re-opened wounds of the Black community. Individuals, companies and other institutions have a new opportunity to listen and create a better path. We stand in support of equality and dignity WealthStep condemns racism and discrimination and stands in support of equality and dignity for all…

The rationale for investment manager changes

4 years ago 0 908

Sometimes, WealthStep needs to change the investments (i.e. mutual funds) held within 401k plan portfolios, or WealthStep Direct (for individual investors outside of retirement plans) portfolios. Rebalancing and tax loss harvesting for taxable portfolios are ways to keep portfolios’ allocation in check and lower tax bills, but what happens when a specific investment manager of a mutual fund or other vehicles needs a change? How does WealthStep decide when to…