Blog
Ken's 3rd Quarter 2023 Update
Ken's Quarterly update for Q3 2023
Read MoreKen's 2nd Quarter Update
It’s Back! After 30 consecutive quarterly updates starting in 2014, I missed an update in the 3rd quarter of 2021. I put out a Q4 2021, but then missed Q1 2022 and it appears I started writing a Q2 2022 update but did not...
Read MoreNo, your business is NOT too small for a Retirement Plan.
“My business is too small to have a Retirement Plan”This is a common misconception that we hear. We at JFG will concede that this stance is not completely unfounded, but how many times have you experienced “sticker...
Read MoreBatting Average : Baseball and Mutual Funds?
When you hear the words batting average, the first thing that probably comes to mind is America’s pastime, baseball. You are certainly correct in first thinking of baseball, but did you know that the batting average statistic can...
Read MoreShow All
Quarantine Silver Linings
Quarantine Silver Linings I’m typically a glass half full kind of guy, so let’s take that approach to the pandemic & lockdowns now that they appear to be winding down. Here’s my “Top Ten Positives of the...
Read MoreKen's 1st Quarter Recap 2021
Ken’s 1st Quarter 2021 Recap Outline-On the Personal side-Theme for 2021-US Stock Market snapshot & update-Jones Financial Group update-Three things I’m thinking about moving forward On the Personal side: The days are long...
Read MoreQuarterly(ish) Twins report!
Quarterly(ish) update on the Twins! We’re still doing 4 days of daycare and one day with Mimi most weeks. Fortunately the girls are always excited both to go to “Miss Carole’s” and for when Mimi (Lesley’s...
Read MoreThe Return of RMDs
We can blame the Coronavirus for causing 2020 to be one of the most devastating years in the United States’ history. The illness brought about countless negatives but perhaps one of the few positives to emerge in 2020 was the...
Read MoreMedigap and How We Can Help
Medigap and How We Can Help You may have noticed that, while original Medicare will cover some of your hospital and doctor expenses, there still are gaps that remain in your coverage. Medical Supplement Insurance, or Medigap, helps...
Read MoreKen's 4th Quarter Recap 2020
Hello to all and welcome to another quarterly update. This is episode 28 by my count! Outline -On the Personal side -Theme for 2021 -Jones Financial Group update -US Stock Market snapshot & update -Three things I’m thinking about...
Read MoreAnnual Holiday Photo Shoot 2020
Back in October I was able to continue a now 5 year tradition of hiring a photographer to capture those Holiday photos for clients. I don't like to post this too soon and ruin the holiday card surprise so here it is at last.The weather...
Read MoreRollover Basics
Rollover Basics A frequently used word in the Investment world is “Rollover”. Sounds simple, but what does that actually mean? A Rollover is the transfer of an investment with an employer sponsored retirement plan (401k,...
Read MoreQuarterly(ish) Twins report!
Quarterly(ish) update on the Twins! A little overdue on this one – it’s been two quarters since the last update. I have a good excuse – we moved in July. So apologies on the delay I’ll try to keep on schedule...
Read MoreKen's 3rd Quarter Recap 2020
It was a very MOVING quarter. 1 – Lesley and I moved into our hopefully forever home in July 2 – Jones Financial Group moved into our office for the next two years on Oct 1 3 – The market made some…you guessed...
Read MoreWhat are my options to save for college costs?
College Savings Vehicles & Tax Treatments There are a LOT of variables that go into this process, but for me it makes the most sense to start with the various account types and their pros and cons and tax treatments. There are 3 main...
Read MoreComing Soon - Video Blogs (Vlogs?)
Hi all - been slacking a bit on my weekly blog posts but there is a reason for that! I'm shooting videos for the blog and hope to have the first video posted by 9/30. Couple still shots for preview:
Read MoreThat's so not 2020!
Despite all of the negativity and generally bizarre things occurring in 2020, there is one area with a bit of a light of hope!
Read MoreMeet the Intern!
Intern Spotlight Part of any business is developing young talent and I took my first step into that arena last summer when I hired a local high school student as an intern. This year I approached Kyler Balliet (pronounced Bal-e-yet)...
Read MoreKen's 2nd Quarter 2020 Recap
Ken’s 2nd Quarter 2020 Recap I hope you all have weathered these crazy times as best you are able and that this update finds you as safe and as happy as your circumstances allow. So where to begin? I could do as I normally do and...
Read MoreExplaining Investment Fees - Do You Know How Much You Are Paying?
Investment Fees – the “quick” glossary Do you know what you’re paying on your investments? If you’ve ever looked into it closely, chances are it is so confusing to figure out that you gave up trying....
Read MoreExplaining Investment Fees - Do You Know How Much You Are Paying?
Investment Fees – the “quick” glossary Preamble – I initially set out to define or explain most or all of the investment fees that are out there, but quickly I realized the scope of that would produce an article...
Read MoreThe Misunderstood Market
In it's purest state, the stock market is an efficient market of companies that are continuously being repriced accurately per the public information that is available on them. When new information becomes public knowledge the market...
Read MoreThe Annual Baseball Trip
The Baseball Trip This is te 4th in the “Get to know Ken” blog series. So for a few years post college, a group of friends would go up to NYC to catch a Mets game (I’m a big Mets fan) and possibly a Yankees game too....
Read MoreHave a small business? Think you’re too small for an employer Retirement Plan? Take a closer look.
Have a small business? Think you’re too small for a company Retirement Plan? Take a closer look. When I ask small business owners about their company retirement plan, many times the response I get is that they don’t have...
Read MoreMinor Athletic Achievements
Minor Athletic Achievements Not counting the Quarterly updates or the "Twins Report" this is the third in the "Get to know Ken" Blog series. I still play baseball. It's an "Over 30" league meaning you have to be 30 years old to play...
Read MoreLooking for Life Insurance coverage and have children under 18? Look here first:
An often missed benefit of Social Security is it’s survivor benefits provision for folks with children. It may not get missed in the unfortunate event of a spouse passing away, but it is frequently missed when calculating how...
Read MoreQuarterly Twins Report Apr 2020
Quarterly(ish) update on the Twins! Lenny and Aggie are doing great – blissfully unaware of the craziness that has become the new normal around them. Lenny is crawling pretty well and nearly always on the move. She particularly...
Read MoreConsidering the Needs of Others
Coronavirus, covid19, Cares Act, quarantining, isolating, furlough, layed off, unemployment, social distancing, bankruptcy, trillions, stimulus, Zoom. These are some of the hot words of our current time. As we think about these words...
Read MoreKen's 1st Quarter 2020 Recap
Ken’s 1st Quarter 2020 Recap Going to take a break from the regular format except for the stock market numbers. Here they are: 1st Quarter Market Snapshot Index: Close 12/31/2019 Close 3/31/2020 1st Qtr 2020 +/- 2019 +/- Dow...
Read MoreThe Family Meeting
I intend to dive in to current events a little more in my quarterly update which will be posted next week, but in the interim, here is a topic that is near and dear to me, and something I intend to post about twice per year. The...
Read MoreThe VIX explained
When things get ugly on Wall Street, the financial media seems to focus much a lot more on the VIX. So what is that anyways and what does it mean? The CBOE VIX (Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility Index) measures the short term...
Read MoreHappy Birthday?
Happy Birthday to me? I don’t feel much like celebrating Things got weird quick, didn’t they? So I intended to write a brief update for today and tie it in somehow to my 39th completed revolution of the sun, but really,...
Read MoreWhen markets drop.....
The markets have had a sharp downturn since their peak around a month ago. There is a continual inflow of new articles talking about the coronavirus, oil price wars, and the election. Articles are telling you to sell, buy, buy some now...
Read MoreA history of The Tuxes
A history of The Tuxes Ok so time for another "get to know Ken blog post". I have fun writing these I hope you enjoy the read :) If you happen to be in State College, PA this Saturday, you may catch a glimpse of two fine gentlemen...
Read MoreResources for Senior Caregiving
Resources for Senior Caregiving A few months ago, I wrote about how I became the caregiver for my elderly mother-in-law, seemingly overnight, after she broke her upper arm (see my previous blog here). I jumped into the task and learned...
Read MoreIRA and Roth IRA Income limits
Traditional IRA and Roth IRA's are great ways to save for retirement in a tax deferred or tax advantaged manner. However, not many know that these preferential tax vehicles were designed with income limits in order to limit those who...
Read MoreI'm an English (European) Soccer Nut
I'm an English (European) Soccer Nut Another in the "get to know Ken" blog series. It all started in 2010. I had slept over at a buddies house rather than drive home the night before (Ah the late 20's) and when we got moving in the...
Read MoreWhat’s an ETF and why do some folks swear by them?
What’s an ETF and why do some folks swear by them? This is the overdue part two to a piece on some terminology and investment strategy. Part one was titled “The Dow was up today. That’s great, but what exactly does...
Read MoreQuarterly Twins Report
Quarterly(ish) update on the Twins! One of my work related resolutions was to keep the JFG blog a little lighter and include some more fun updates this year. The purpose of these types of posts is really for you to get to know me a...
Read MoreThe Insecure Act
As 2019 turned into 2020, US citizens were hit with a pretty important piece of legislation that is providing another opportunity for advisors to step up to the plate and advise their clients. Not all financial advisors are created...
Read MoreKen's 4th Quarter 2019 Recap
Ken’s 4th Quarter 2019 Recap Seems like a good time to look back, and forward! Hi all, and welcome to the 2020’s. We can’t call it the “Roaring 20’s” again, can we? Will the 2020’s be...
Read MoreThe Dow was up today. That’s great, but what exactly does that mean?
Note – this is part one of a two part “lesson” on some basic terminology and investment strategy. Part two will post in a couple weeks. This post may be a little drier than normal but I’m trying out some...
Read More5 Wishes-an advanced care plan
Did you know?: 1. 77% of people want to make sure their family is not burdened by tough decisions about their potential health care needs 2. 85% feel it is very important to make sure their wishes for medical care are followed HOWEVER....
Read MoreKen's 3rd Quarter 2019 Recap
Ken’s 3rd Quarter 2019 Recap Note this is the last blog post that will be emailed out - if you would like to continue to read them, find me on Facebook, LinkedIn or check this blog within the first two weeks of each new quarter....
Read MoreHow I became a family caregiver
Hi everyone! This is Claudia. I know Ken has mentioned me in a few of his blogs, but I want to introduce myself as well. I’ve worked for Ken as his assistant since 2014, but we’ve known each other much longer, since we used...
Read MoreYield curves and baseball
Back in August, Kerri and I decided take our 3 week old daughter, Chloe, to go see an Orioles vs Yankees game at Camden Yards. Obviously the main attraction at the game was the talented Orioles team, who remains at the bottom of the...
Read MoreWhen to have "the talk"...no, not THAT one!
There are several life milestones that can qualify as "the talk", but this one may just be the most important of all. Today I'm talking about a family meeting where aging family members sit down with their loved ones and discuss their...
Read MoreSave more and manage taxes
It's the annual gift that generally is bigger than you want to give... TAXES! Do you: -dread the amount of taxes you'll pay next year -hesitate to invest because of tax burdens it could cause -max out your 401(k), Roth IRA, and/or...
Read MoreIce Cream and Investing. Wait, what?
Investing in a Roth IRA... What does that really mean?
Read MoreKen's 2nd Quarter 2019 Recap
Ken’s 2nd Quarter 2019 Recap I’m purposely burying the lead for this quarter’s update as there are a couple important items to review before the BIG news on the personal side – take a look: Blog As you may have...
Read MoreJones Financial Group Blog
Welcome one and all! Our new blog will feature posts every 2 weeks from one of us here at Jones Financial Group. We’ll keep it fresh with topics new and old – after all, some of those old adages still hold true! Mostly...
Read More