By Brad Stark, Published in the Daily Sound’s “Ask Seth & Brad” column on March 3, 2012 Dear S&B, I hear the term, “risk management” in the context of financial planning, but what does that mean? Jeremy – Santa Barbara Life is full of risks but the key is to identify them ahead of time [...]Read More
Lessons of the Millionaire Bust
May 10, 2012 By
By Brad Stark, Published in the Daily Sound’s “Ask Seth & Brad” column on March 17, 2012 Maybe it is just me but it seems as though there are more stories about actors, athletes or the famous running into financial troubles. People that have made tens of millions over their careers that you would expect to [...]Read More
Investment & Market Updates
December 19, 2011 By
By Matthew Adams, MBA | Director of Investments Published in the Advisor, January 2011 | Volume 25 As we anticipate the coming of the New Year, revised global growth forecasts are 3.2%-3.7% in 2012 and 4.1% in 2013*. For a little context, the global GDP (Gross Domestic Product) has averaged almost 3.6% for the last 30 years**. Emerging markets [...]Read More
Explore & Understand Your Options
December 16, 2011 By
By Brad Tisdale, MS, CSA, CLTC With the first wave of Baby Boomers reaching age 65, and those 85 and older representing the fastest growing age group in America today, you are facing several important questions, including “how will I care for my parents as they age?” and “how do I want to be cared [...]Read More
Financials 101
December 15, 2011 By
By Brad Stark, MS Published in the Daily Sound’s “Ask Seth & Brad” column on July 1, 2011 Since the economic meltdown, there is more discussion than ever regarding corporate and government financials. If you are like most, the jargon can be overwhelming. Even for the astute, reviewing and understanding financial statements can be a [...]Read More
Which Index is Better?
November 21, 2011 By
By Brad Stark, MS Published in the Daily Sound’s “Ask Seth & Brad” column on January 7, 2011 Dear S&B: I have been a huge S&P500 believer and investor but looking back, it seems like other stock indices have done better. What am I missing? Susan – Santa Barbara First of all, you can’t directly [...]Read More
Will California Default?
November 21, 2011 By
By Brad Stark, MS Published in the Daily Sound’s “Ask Seth & Brad” column on January 14, 2011 Dear S&B, I own a lot of California bonds, what is your take about the state failing? Alex – Santa Barbara For perspective, the historical default rate on municipal bonds is infitessimally small vs. their corporate counterparts. [...]Read More
Six Steps to Wealth Optimization
November 21, 2011 By
By Brad Stark, MS Published in the Daily Sound’s “Ask Seth & Brad” column on February 18, 2011 If we lived in a “one size fits all” world when it came to wealth solutions, there would only be a handful of options vs. thousands. If you truly want to make the right decisions when faced [...]Read More
Diversification Working?
November 21, 2011 By
By Brad Stark, MS Published in the Daily Sound’s “Ask Seth & Brad” column on March 25, 2011 Dear S&B: The financial industry keeps pushing diversification, isn’t there a better way to invest? Stan – Santa Barbara I imagine you are frustrated with your investments and you are searching for the “secret” on how to [...]Read More