The Ridgewood Blog Brings a Free Market Laissez-faire Point of View to Local, New Jersey State and National Issues.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
New York NY, as Washington, D.C., enters 2025, the nation faces a labyrinth of political and economic deadlines, from debt limit battles to potential government shutdowns. Despite this, Wall Street appears optimistic, with the stock market showing impressive resilience and significant gains as it closed out 2024.
Continue reading 2025 Stock Market Outlook: Resilience Amid Political and Economic Uncertainty
Financial management is not an easy task, especially regarding future planning. Whether it be retirement savings, investment growth, or any other tax strategy, the service a financial advisor provides is indispensable. However, with so many of them, it can be very challenging to find the right one in New York. Here are some key factors in finding the right financial advisor who will suit your needs and goals.
Continue reading How to Choose a Financial Advisor in New York
The right strategic planning is necessary if you want to be successful and thrive in your business. When it comes to using professional financial services, these can be quite a lifesaver and help you find the best solutions for your company that will facilitate various aspects. Whether it is navigating risk management, financial analysis, or economic uncertainty, you can be sure they will help you find the right way and strategically plan your next moves.
Continue reading 4 Critical Benefits of Using Financial Services for Strategic Planning
In an era marked by economic uncertainties and rapidly changing financial landscapes, investing has emerged as a crucial tool for securing financial stability and building wealth. While the prospect of investing may seem daunting to some, the reality is that it offers numerous benefits that far outweigh the risks. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or someone just starting to dip their toes into the world of finance, there are compelling reasons why you should consider investing your hard-earned money today. From the potential for long-term growth to the opportunity to diversify your portfolio, investing can open doors to a brighter financial future. Continue reading Reasons You Should Be Investing Today
Situated in the core of the Pacific Northwest, Bellevue, Washington, stands as a beacon of opportunity and prosperity. Financial Planning in Bellevue Washington, is important to securing one’s future and achieving financial goals. From budgeting effectively to making informed investment decisions, every step is pivotal in ensuring economic stability and growth in this city. This article dives into the various facets of capital planning, covering everything from budgeting basics to advanced investment strategies for city residents.
While the stock market isn’t doing as well right now as it has in previous years, that doesn’t mean that people shouldn’t seek to invest in stocks. However, there are some things you need to know before jumping into buying and trading stock to increase your passive income.
Continue reading How to Start Investing in Stocks: A Beginner’s Guide
If you are a business owner, you may be wondering how to grow and expand your business. One way to achieve this is through equity growth investing. Equity growth investing involves buying ownership in a company, usually in the form of stocks or bonds, so that you can benefit from its financial success. This type of investment carries both risks and rewards, but understanding the potential benefits can help you make an informed decision about whether it is right for you. In this article, we will explore the benefits of business growth equity.
Continue reading Explore The Benefits Of Business Growth Equity
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, several decades of stock market evidence that social-investment funds typically underperform the market.
When it comes to investing, there are a lot of different options to choose from. One option that is growing in popularity is investing your money overseas. There are a number of benefits associated with this type of investment, including access to a wider range of investment opportunities, higher rates of return, and protection against inflation and currency fluctuations. Additionally, you may be able to enjoy lower taxes on your investment earnings.
Continue reading What Are The Main Benefits Of Investing Your Money Overseas?
Do you want to be a millionaire? It’s not an impossible dream – in fact, with the right investment strategy, it’s well within reach. In this blog post, we’re going to take a closer look at how investors grow their wealth. We’ll discuss different investment options and how to choose the right one for you. So if you’re ready to start building your fortune, keep reading!
Continue reading A Closer Look at How Investors Grow Their Wealth
Unlike Kickstarter, you are not buying a product or donating to an artist. Instead, you are investing in a businesswith the hope of earning a return on your investment.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Omaha, Nebraska , our friend Prince Dykes of the Investors Show wanted to share a recap while he makes the rounds at his first experience at a Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting . Hopefully you enjoy the footage as much as we did.
November 8,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, With the presidential election dominating the news cycles, many investors may be keeping an eye on the stock market as well as the voting booth as they wonder what impact the election of Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump could have on their portfolios.
“Presidential elections are almost always a big part of the greater theme of markets, but in this case even more so,” says Benjamin Lupu, a Certified Financial Planner and founder of Kensington AMI (www.KensingtonAMI.com), an asset-management firm.
Lupu says it’s important to understand that how voters weigh their Election Day choices and how the market views the candidates aren’t necessarily the same thing.
As hard as it might be, he says, investors should lay aside any personal political leanings as they assess what factors might keep the market humming and what factors might upset the market – and affect their investments in the process.
“From an investment standpoint, this isn’t about being for one candidate or the other,” Lupu says. “It’s a matter of trying to gauge what the markets might do depending on different scenarios, and trying to plan and respond accordingly.”
He says factors to consider include:
• The Clinton impact. What ever opinion people may have of Clinton, she represents status quo, continuity and predictability, which markets prefer, Lupu says. Markets in general have been buoyant in recent months as a decisive win for Clinton had been the consensus expectation and has been priced into the markets. Those expectations could change quickly, though, and investors would need to consider adjustments if they do. “Harsh reality may have something to say about this before the process is over, and any reversal in the polls can greatly upset markets,” he says.
• The Trump impact. Trump is extremely popular with his populist base in the U.S., and some people would consider a Trump victory good for business. The wild card, though, is that he’s immensely unpopular in much of the rest of the world, Lupu says. If the race is seen as close, or if Trump is considered to have a strong chance of winning, global markets could react negatively, at least initially. If the odds of a Trump win appear to be improving, it might be a good idea for investors to reduce exposure, stay partially in cash and see what transpires, Lupu says.
• A general approach. Financial security in the U.S. has traditionally come from three things: sound, long-term process; clear, unemotional thinking; and American optimism, Lupu says. “I like to say keep it clean, be disciplined and have faith in the future,” he says. In this case, that means be aware of market expectations, follow what happens, but stay focused and make prudent decisions based on facts and not emotions – or personal political preferences.
In any other presidential election year, Lupu says, he wouldn’t advocate keeping such a close watch on who’s ahead in the polls and the implications behind the poll numbers. But Clinton vs. Trump is far from the typical race.
“I admit this is not the usual playbook for election years,” Lupu says. “But then, this election is not the usual affair.”
About Benjamin Lupu
Benjamin Lupu, a Certified Financial Planner, is founder of Kensington AMI (www.KensingtonAMI.com), an asset-management firm in California. He has 36 years experience as an investment advisor, and his primary expertise is dividend and income investment and total return methodology.
October 11,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, With the presidential election dominating the news cycles, many investors may be keeping an eye on the stock market as well as the voting booth as they wonder what impact the election of Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump could have on their portfolios.
“Presidential elections are almost always a big part of the greater theme of markets, but in this case even more so,” says Benjamin Lupu, a Certified Financial Planner and founder of Kensington AMI (www.KensingtonAMI.com), an asset-management firm.
Lupu says it’s important to understand that how voters weigh their Election Day choices and how the market views the candidates aren’t necessarily the same thing.
As hard as it might be, he says, investors should lay aside any personal political leanings as they assess what factors might keep the market humming and what factors might upset the market – and affect their investments in the process.
“From an investment standpoint, this isn’t about being for one candidate or the other,” Lupu says. “It’s a matter of trying to gauge what the markets might do depending on different scenarios, and trying to plan and respond accordingly.”
He says factors to consider include:
• The Clinton impact. What ever opinion people may have of Clinton, she represents status quo, continuity and predictability, which markets prefer, Lupu says. Markets in general have been buoyant in recent months as a decisive win for Clinton had been the consensus expectation and has been priced into the markets. Those expectations could change quickly, though, and investors would need to consider adjustments if they do. “Harsh reality may have something to say about this before the process is over, and any reversal in the polls can greatly upset markets,” he says.
• The Trump impact. Trump is extremely popular with his populist base in the U.S., and some people would consider a Trump victory good for business. The wild card, though, is that he’s immensely unpopular in much of the rest of the world, Lupu says. If the race is seen as close, or if Trump is considered to have a strong chance of winning, global markets could react negatively, at least initially. If the odds of a Trump win appear to be improving, it might be a good idea for investors to reduce exposure, stay partially in cash and see what transpires, Lupu says.
• A general approach. Financial security in the U.S. has traditionally come from three things: sound, long-term process; clear, unemotional thinking; and American optimism, Lupu says. “I like to say keep it clean, be disciplined and have faith in the future,” he says. In this case, that means be aware of market expectations, follow what happens, but stay focused and make prudent decisions based on facts and not emotions – or personal political preferences.
In any other presidential election year, Lupu says, he wouldn’t advocate keeping such a close watch on who’s ahead in the polls and the implications behind the poll numbers. But Clinton vs. Trump is far from the typical race.
“I admit this is not the usual playbook for election years,” Lupu says. “But then, this election is not the usual affair.”
About Benjamin Lupu
Benjamin Lupu, a Certified Financial Planner, is founder of Kensington AMI (www.KensingtonAMI.com), an asset-management firm in California. He has 36 years experience as an investment advisor, and his primary expertise is dividend and income investment and total return methodology.
April 19,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ Many people looking for good investments or hoping to save for retirement are wary of the very financial professionals who can help them reach their goals.
That was illustrated once again recently by the 2016 Harris Poll Reputation Quotient Report, which showed that just 37 percent of people surveyed believe the financial-services industry has a solid reputation.
The good news is that’s an improvement from past surveys. The bad news is that the pharmaceutical industry, the tobacco industry and government are the only ones with worse reputations.
Skepticism about the profession may sting a little, but there’s nothing wrong with caution when shopping for a financial professional, says Lou Desepoli, president of Desepoli Wealth Management (www.desepoliwealth.com).
“It’s important for investors to do their homework,” Desepoli says. “Don’t be timid about asking questions. A financial professional should answer any questions you have, and they should be able to provide details about fees, fiduciary standards and a client bill of rights.”
Mike Desepoli, Lou’s son and a wealth adviser at Desepoli Wealth Management, says all financial professionals may work with the same market conditions, but that doesn’t mean they are all created equal.
“How they assess, evaluate and react to the market is what sets one adviser apart from another,” he says.
The Desepolis say just a few of the topics an investor should broach when looking for an adviser include:
Ask how they are paid for the investments they recommend. Are they paid commissions on investments or other products they sell? Do they receive payments from mutual funds or investment companies they recommend? “What you’re trying to determine is whether they push investments that are more beneficial to them than they are to you,” Mike Desepoli says. “It’s best if the firm just charges a fee based on the value of the assets they manage for you. That makes it in their best interest for your portfolio to grow.”
Find out what safeguards they have in place to protect against fraud. Have they ever been disciplined for unlawful or unethical actions? How do they ensure the firm remains in compliance with legal and regulatory statutes?
The products an adviser can sell and the investment advice they can give are tied to their credentials. So find out what licenses and certifications they have.
“Most people spend more time shopping for a car than they do a financial adviser,” Lou Desepoli says. “But you want to be an informed consumer when it comes to who will handle your life savings. That person’s investment philosophy, their client-service philosophy and how they communicate with clients are all topics worth asking about.”
About Lou Desepoli
Lou Desepoli is the president and founder of Desepoli Wealth Management (www.desepoliwealth.com). He has more than 30 years’ experience in investment management, financial planning and tax consulting. He is also a CPA.
About Mike Desepoli
As a wealth adviser for Desepoli Wealth Management, Mike Desepoli serves as a wealth management resource to business owners and executives, assisting them in making proactive, personal financial decisions.