Puzzle Wealth

09/14/2023

Discover the Benefits of Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) for Your Retirement!

Simplify your RMDs while enjoying tax efficiency, lower AGI, and preserving savings. Give back without itemizing, all with streamlined record-keeping.

Learn more about our approach in our most recent blog: https://puzzlewealth.com/using-qualified-charitable-distributions-qcds-to-satisfy-required-minimum-distributions-rmds/

Using Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) to satisfy Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from your retirement accounts can be a smart financial strategy for several reasons. Below are 5 reasons to consider utilizing QCDs: Tax Efficiency: QCDs allow you to fulfill your RMD obligation while ke...

08/28/2023

As wealth advisors, we are often asked “What do you think about the markets?” Our answer is consistent. Long term, we are bullish, but nobody knows what’s going to happen in the next few months, which is why we think it is important to stay the course for long-term investing in most cases. With that said, we do heavily lean on the research available to us when formulating our recommendations.

Click on the link below for a piece LPL authored recently with their analysis on the second-half of 2023.

LPL Midyear Outlook: https://www.lpl.com/news-media/research-insights/lpl-research-midyear-outlook-2023-the-path-toward-stability.html

Guided by LPL’s research, here is what our team at Puzzle has done over the past year for our clients:

• In the spring and summer of 2022, we added to Equities for many clients for a few reasons, including the timing of the election cycle and the market sell-off.

• At the very least, we advised clients to “stay the course” and not to panic and sell – even though nearly every headline was negative and scary at the time.

• Fast forward one year to a significantly higher stock market. We’ve been advising clients to reduce their equity exposure and lock in profits. This is NOT a timing call on the markets but rather a portfolio discipline warranted by our clients’ individually tailored financial plans.

• One of the primary reasons we are happy to be taking profits in the equity space is due to the fact that less volatile assets like FDIC-insured CDs and US Treasury bonds are offering attractive rates - at around 5–5.5%. These are levels we haven’t seen in approximately 15 years. Some might say these assets are boring, but if we can earn 5% on “boring” assets, we’re all for that.

• In addition, the bond markets are indicating that they are expecting rates to be lower soon due to the inverted yield curve. With the inversion of the curve, we are also locking in some longer duration in the 5 and 10-year space. Negative events like a global war, another pandemic, or a deep recession could cause the Federal Reserve to drop rates quickly. It’s almost impossible to predict those black swan events, and we would be kicking ourselves if we didn’t lock in some bonds for longer. On the flipside, if rates continue upward then our short-term investments will likely allow us to reinvest at higher rates in the future. A disciplined approach like barbell investing (both short-term and longer-term) in the fixed income markets takes away some of the risk associated with investing in bonds.

• Last, our team’s fixed income portfolio is now 85% in individual bonds/CDs and 15% in a lower-cost ETF. Focusing on maximizing yield, reducing risk, and lowering overall expenses are a good recipe for efficiency.

If you would like our team to review your portfolio, please let us know or visit our website using the link below.

https://puzzlewealth.com/contact-us

08/25/2023

Right now, many investors are sitting on cash in bank accounts and in brokerage accounts managed by other advisors earning low yields compared to what can be earned with US Treasuries, CDs, and money market accounts.

Do the math –$100,000 sitting at a big bank at less than 1% annual percentage yield (or even at 0.01%) could be earning 4 to 5.5% more by investing cash balances strategically. In this example, an extra 4% means an extra $4,000! That’s a lot of money. The extra earnings could go to pay for a vacation, pay down debt, or even cover a portion of the fees you might pay an advisor.

In our case, the fees charged at Puzzle cover the following services:

• Financial Planning (cash-flow projections and goals-based modeling)
• Estate Planning Consulting
• Investment Management
• Liability Management
• Gifting strategies like Donor-Advised Funds
• Insurance Strategies (Life Insurance and Long-Term Care)
• Medicare/Social Security Review

Is your advisor covering all of this with their fees? Do you even know what your fees look like?

This might seem obvious, but I know some of you reading this have a lot of cash sitting around earning very little. Let us help you earn more and improve your financial efficiency. To schedule a meeting, visit our website at the link below:

https://puzzlewealth.com/contact-us

Certificates of Deposit are FDIC insured and offer a fixed rate of return if held to maturity. Brokered CDs sold prior to maturity in the secondary market may result in loss of principal due to fluctuations in the interest rate or lack of liquidity. Brokered CDs are registered with the Depository Trust Corp. (“DTC”). Brokered CDs with step-down and/or call provisions may be less favorable than traditional CDs without these features." Bonds are subject to market and interest rate risk if sold prior to maturity. Bond values will decline as interest rates rise and bonds are subject to availability and change in price. The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results. All indices are unmanaged and may not be invested into directly.

08/21/2023

As wealth advisors, we are often asked “What do you think about the markets?” Our answer is consistent. Long term, we are bullish, but nobody knows what’s going to happen in the next few months, which is why we think it is important to stay the course for long-term investing in most cases. With that said, we do heavily lean on the research available to us when formulating our recommendations.


Click on the link below for a piece LPL authored recently with their analysis on the second-half of 2023.

LPL Midyear Outlook: https://www.lpl.com/news-media/research-insights/lpl-research-midyear-outlook-2023-the-path-toward-stability.html

Guided by LPL’s research, here is what our team at Puzzle has done over the past year for our clients:

• In the spring and summer of 2022, we added to Equities for many clients for a few reasons, including the timing of the election cycle and the market sell-off.

• At the very least, we advised clients to “stay the course” and not to panic and sell – even though nearly every headline was negative and scary at the time.

• Fast forward one year to a significantly higher stock market. We’ve been advising clients to reduce their equity exposure and lock in profits. This is NOT a timing call on the markets but rather a portfolio discipline warranted by our clients’ individually tailored financial plans.

• One of the primary reasons we are happy to be taking profits in the equity space is due to the fact that less volatile assets like FDIC-insured CDs and US Treasury bonds are offering attractive rates - at around 5–5.5%. These are levels we haven’t seen in approximately 15 years. Some might say these assets are boring, but if we can earn 5% on “boring” assets, we’re all for that.

• In addition, the bond markets are indicating that they are expecting rates to be lower soon due to the inverted yield curve. With the inversion of the curve, we are also locking in some longer duration in the 5 and 10-year space. Negative events like a global war, another pandemic, or a deep recession could cause the Federal Reserve to drop rates quickly. It’s almost impossible to predict those black swan events, and we would be kicking ourselves if we didn’t lock in some bonds for longer. On the flipside, if rates continue upward then our short-term investments will likely allow us to reinvest at higher rates in the future. A disciplined approach like barbell investing (both short-term and longer-term) in the fixed income markets takes away some of the risk associated with investing in bonds.

• Last, our team’s fixed income portfolio is now 85% in individual bonds/CDs and 15% in a lower-cost ETF. Focusing on maximizing yield, reducing risk, and lowering overall expenses are a good recipe for efficiency.

If you would like our team to review your portfolio, please let us know or visit our website using the link below.

https://puzzlewealth.com/contact-us

08/18/2023

Right now, many investors are sitting on cash in bank accounts and in brokerage accounts managed by other advisors earning low yields compared to what can be earned with US Treasuries, CDs, and money market accounts.

Do the math –$100,000 sitting at a big bank at less than 1% annual percentage yield (or even at 0.01%) could be earning 4 to 5.5% more by investing cash balances strategically. In this example, an extra 4% means an extra $4,000! That’s a lot of money. The extra earnings could go to pay for a vacation, pay down debt, or even cover a portion of the fees you might pay an advisor.

In our case, the fees charged at Puzzle cover the following services:

• Financial Planning (cash-flow projections and goals-based modeling)
• Estate Planning Consulting
• Investment Management
• Liability Management
• Gifting strategies like Donor-Advised Funds
• Insurance Strategies (Life Insurance and Long-Term Care)
• Medicare/Social Security Review

Is your advisor covering all of this with their fees? Do you even know what your fees look like?

This might seem obvious, but I know some of you reading this have a lot of cash sitting around earning very little. Let us help you earn more and improve your financial efficiency. To schedule a meeting, visit our website at the link below:

https://puzzlewealth.com/contact-us

Certificates of Deposit are FDIC insured and offer a fixed rate of return if held to maturity. Brokered CDs sold prior to maturity in the secondary market may result in loss of principal due to fluctuations in the interest rate or lack of liquidity. Brokered CDs are registered with the Depository Trust Corp. (“DTC”). Brokered CDs with step-down and/or call provisions may be less favorable than traditional CDs without these features." Bonds are subject to market and interest rate risk if sold prior to maturity. Bond values will decline as interest rates rise and bonds are subject to availability and change in price. The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results. All indices are unmanaged and may not be invested into directly.

08/15/2023

Navigating the Medicare Maze
A Free Webinar Presented by Puzzle Wealth Solutions*

Choose your preferred date:
August 23rd (12PM - 1PM EST)
September 12th (12PM - 1PM EST)

Register here: puzzlewealth.com/medicaremaze

Join us for this informative webinar that will help give you the confidence to navigate the Medicare maze and make informed choices regarding important health care options after retirement.

Carly Rosswurm, Director of Medicare Solutions at Ash Brokerage, will cover some of the top Medicare questions and issues including what is covered by Medicare, is Medicare needed if working past 65, where to get more coverage, and Medicare costs.



*This webinar is for educational purposes only – not intended to direct or steer toward particular plans. Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Gladstone Institutional Advisory, LLC, a registered investment advisor. Ash Brokerage, Puzzle Wealth Solutions and LPL Financial are separate entities.

06/29/2023

Are you struggling to put together the pieces of your financial plan? Let Puzzle Wealth Solutions help! Our team of expert advisors is here to help you navigate the complexities of financial planning and find the right solutions for your unique needs. Just like a puzzle, each piece of your financial plan plays an important role in achieving your long-term goals. We can help you identify those pieces, put them together, and make sure they fit seamlessly to create a complete picture of your financial future. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to make a change, Puzzle Wealth Solutions is here to help you every step of the way. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you achieve your financial dreams.


https://puzzlewealth.com/solutions

06/16/2023

This month is the anniversary of Puzzle Wealth Solutions, and we’re proud of how far the company has come since it was founded two years ago. Puzzle was started by a group of financial advisors who believed that by going independent with Gladstone Wealth Partners, they could better serve their clients better and seek to offer clients better outcomes.

To our clients, we’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued business and the trust you’ve placed in Puzzle by allowing us to be stewards of your wealth.

05/01/2023

May is Older Americans Month! It’s a time to celebrate and honor the contributions of older adults in our communities. We know that financial planning is important at every age, especially for older adults. Our dedicated team can help older Americans make informed decisions about retirement, social security, and long-term care planning. Let’s work together to create a brighter financial future for our older loved ones.

04/29/2023

Retirement confidence has dropped significantly in 2023, marking the biggest decline since 2008 among both workers and retirees. This is largely due to a lack of savings and historic high inflation. For those already in retirement and for those nearing retirement, this article discusses four key decisions retirees face that, when handled properly, can help save more money.

We hope you find this article informative. Retirement does not have to be scary with proper planning. We work with clients of all ages to formulate financial plans that ensure you have enough money to fund your lifestyle in retirement.

If you’re in your 30s/40s and still working, 50s/60s and getting closer to your retirement years, or over 65 and already retired, we would welcome the opportunity to meet with you about your retirement strategy and other long-term financial goals.

From Social Security to Medicare and beyond, there are a lot of choices to navigate when preparing for retirement. Here's how to get started.

04/17/2023

Reminder. It's tax time!

April 18th is the filing deadline for:
• 2022 taxes or an extension with the IRS
• Making contributions to retirement accounts for 2022

04/06/2023

The 2nd annual Chicago Clubs Invitational golf tournament, held in Naples, FL, has concluded and we would like to thank everyone who attended and all of the event sponsors that contributed to help make the event a success!

On March 2nd, 2023, players from Chicago-area country clubs, as well as clients and partners of the event sponsors teed off for a day of friendly competition and lasting memories. This exclusive, invite-only event was created for Chicagoland golfers looking to escape the winter weather to enjoy a day on the links in the Florida sunshine.

Congratulations to the winners Beth Oechsel, Christopher Oechsel, Mike Kelley and Lisa Kelley from Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville, IL. They will be taking the trophy home for display at their club and getting ready to defend their top spot at next year’s event. In addition to the overall event winners, awards were also given to players for longest drive, longest putt, straightest drive, and closest to the pin. Most excitingly, players had a chance to win John Klaas’s personal 1956 corvette if they shot a hole-in-one.

The Straightest Drive winner, sponsored by Ash Brokerage, was Pat McCoy. He will be donating the $1,000 he won to his local church. The Longest Drive and Longest Putt awards went to Allison Guidry. Allison received a free round of golf at Glen View Country Club courtesy of Blackstone and a wine basket courtesy of Integrity Marketing Group and Gladstone Wealth Partners. Closest to the Pin award went to Tom Hills from Barrington Hills Country Club and he was awarded a free round of golf at Tiburon Golf Club. Unfortunately, no players got a hole in one this year, so John Klaas from Puzzle Wealth gets to keep his classic car for another year.

For additional coverage and to view all event photos visit: https://chicagoclubsinvitational.com/