Three Questions for Every Investor

Some financial advisors try to bowl you over with fancy language. Disarm them - and arm yourself for your future - with a few simple questions. One complaint you hear as a financial advisor is that investment jargon - ETFs, P/E ratios, DRIP plans and other terms loaded with capital letters - bores, confuses and overwhelms people seeking advice. To stop the buzzing in your head, apply the 80/...

Your 2021 New Year’s (Financial) Resolutions

Cleaning up personal finances remains one of the top resolutions every New Year. But we all know what happens to most such self-promises, so here’s a month-by-month to-do list to cultivate better financial health.   January Organize paperwork. This obvious starting point eludes many. Are your financial documents organized, in paper or virtually, so information is at y...

Empowering Investors to Meet Their Individual Goals

SINCE 1981, J. L. Bainbridge & Company, Inc. has been building and managing wealth for clients throughout the U.S. From the company’s genesis as a side pursuit to founders Jerry and Fay Bainbridges’ day jobs, operating out of a spare bedroom in their home, to serving clients in its downtown Sarasota building, it has found success for itself and its clients with a disciplined strategy centered ...

4 Ways Financial Planners Are Like You

Many people hesitate to seek out financial planners’ advice for fear of judgment. Why’d you blow that paycheck? Why’d you invest in that? You’ve saved what for retirement? Others wait to seek guidance until that golden day when they’re financially set. Others think financial planners are just for the wealthy. All are wrong and here’s why. It’s true that you must accept a degree of...

It’s Your Money… Who Decides How Your Charitable $$ will be Spent?

When you give $100 to your favorite charity, you are probably not overly concerned about how your donation is spent, as long as it advances the mission of the charity. On the other hand, if you are making a large donation, it is more likely that you have specific goals in mind, whether to fund a particular program or support another endeavor. This desire to specify exactly where your donation doll...

Ten Things You Must Know About Medicare

Heading into your retirement years brings a slew of new topics to grapple with, and one of the most maddening may be Medicare. Figuring out when to enroll, what to enroll in and what coverage will be best for you can be daunting. To help you wade easily into the waters, here are ten essential things you need to know about Medicare.

Medicare Comes with a Cost

5 Signs You Need A Financial Planner

Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness Sometimes it’s hard to ask for help and you think you can – or should – handle things yourself. Whether it’s taking care of a nagging injury, fixing the sink, changing the oil in your car or doing your own taxes. The same questions often arise about finances and financial planning. You have questions that you consider silly or stupi...

Rethinking – and Redoing – Decisions to take Early Withdrawals of Social Security

There’s nothing like an economic recession brought on by a global pandemic to throw a wrench into your financial planning – or pretty much any planning, for that matter. Also, unfortunately, this unprecedented combination of realities creates a perfect environment for snap decisions and knee-jerk reactions fueled by the adrenalin of sheer panic. A recent article in Learn More

SECURE, CARES, and IRAs

Various factors have brought about a flurry of changes in IRA rules. It is important that individuals understand these modifications, what they mean now and what they could mean to their retirement planning. The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement (SECURE) Act, which became effective January 1, 2020, enacted several changes with regard to required minimum distributions (RMDs), beneficiary...

Looking Before Leaping into Annuities

A recent survey, conducted in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic by the Insured Retired Institute and Jackson National Life Insurance Company, showed a marked increase in concerns among financial professionals as to the ability of their clients to retire with adequate funds. That concern, obviously, pales against the worries of individual investors in these uncertain times. The survey, not unex...

Short-term Thinking vs. Long-term Investing

The technical term for short-sightedness, “myopia,” literally means to shut one’s eyes. Prescription glasses or contacts fix actual short-sightedness. But the figurative kind of myopia, which is really referring to an inability to think and plan for the long term, can be disastrous in the world of financial planning and investing. Hedging against market volatility has always been consider...

Investing for Generations

Long-term investors develop a habit of looking further over the horizon than short-term investors do. Even beyond that, those with a dedication to establishing and maintaining family wealth that truly endures need to consider not only how far ahead they can see, but how far their children and then their grandchildren can see into their own respective investment futures. In short, there is no “in...

Being Kind to Yourself – Markets, News, and All

Be kind to yourself… It wasn’t that long ago that many of us monitored our accounts on a monthly basis—if even that often. Today, with mobile apps and browsers at the ready on our smartphones and computers, we can see how our accounts and the markets are doing by the minute, in real time. For some, checking one’s account values frequently has become a habit. For others, it’s practical...

Important Update from JL Bainbridge & Company: Coronavirus

Investing to 100: How Longer Lives will Affect Financial Strategies

Living to 100 is not such a rarity these days, and it will become even more commonplace in the future. While actuaries don’t predict anything close to the majority of people living to that age in the near future, the likelihood of living into one’s 90s is already a reality. So, if phrases such as “...

Why Your Annual Financial Review is a Must

What a difference a year can make when planning for your future. Of course, you’re 12 months closer to, or farther into, retirement. Unexpected obligations may have arisen. Your family may have grown or taken on a new structure. Your income may have changed. You may have developed new interests or set new life goals. And, even if you think you haven’t changed, the world around you has. The...

Long-term Investing: Avoiding the Volatility Game

An ostrich doesn’t actually bury her head in the sand out of fear. While you might see her head disappear into a hole, the mother ostrich is simply turning her eggs every once in a while. In other words, she’s not ignoring a problem, she’s tending to business. Long-term investing is not about ignoring anything at all. Instead, it focuses on nurturing growth by sticking to a plan that hist...

You Can’t Time the Market, But You Should Time Social Security

You’ve worked hard to build your Social Security account. As with all financial assets, it makes sense to maximize the return on your investment—of time and effort. So, with decades of experience, why is it still so difficult to make the right choice regarding when to start claiming Social Security benefits? The short answer:  it’s personal. It’s a sensitive topic, but a sizeable part ...

Maximizing Your Charitable Giving

When the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act increased the standard deduction, many predicted that charitable donations would decrease. While data about charitable giving for 2018 has yet to be released, we believe that this will not be the case. The U.S. is considered the world’s most generous country, having donated more than $410 billion in 2017 alone. In our opinion, Americans...

Why long-term investing is similar to buying a home

For many, investing in a corporation is more like a trip to Las Vegas than a commitment to their financial future. However, when you think about long-term investing consider the parallels between purchasing a home and selecting high-quality investments. For the vast majority of Americans, their most profitable asset will continue to be their home. We believe the reason for this success is twofold:...

Financial Planning in Your 30s

How you save, invest and spend your hard-earned money is naturally going to change as you move through your life. In your 30s, there’s less room for big financial missteps, but with a few simple wealth management strategies and by making consistent smart choices, you’ll feel better knowing you’re on your way to securing your financial future. Get savvy with retirement ...

Let’s Talk About the Interest-Rate Hike

As we dive into the New Year, economic uncertainty and the impact of rising interest rates are making some investors nervous. Before you get too concerned, let’s discuss the key takeaways from the interest-rate hike and why a long-term investment philosophy is beneficial — especially during times of volatility. Here are the facts:

• The Federal Reserve recently raised its benchma...
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During volatile time, focus on future earnings growth

As of the writing of this letter (Friday, Dec. 7) the futures for Monday's market open jumped measurably at the news of President Trump and President Xi's agreement to postpone the imposition of additional tariffs on Chinese imports. While at some level this news is cause for encouragement, particularly for the speculative market participant, the investor, who is focused on a reasonable time hori...

Comparing Earnings & Offsetting a Decline

As listed in the image to the right the companies selected for investment posted very impressive earnings. For the most part, the earnings are remarkable when compared to the more moderate earnings results for the S&P 500. The earnings per share percentage changes are 2018 results versus a year earlier. (See EPS Growth in the image to the right) Since our founding in 1981, we have never ...

Investing Advice for Millennials

A recent survey found that most “younger” millennials — between the ages of 18 and 24 — have less than $1,000 in savings and the majority have nothing saved at all. This generation isn’t taking the situation lightly however, as 57% of millennial employees report that they’re stressed about their financial state. Fortunately, if you’re in this age group you can make a few simple chang...

Evaluating the market & companies selected for investment

As listed below the companies selected for investment posted very impressive earnings. For the most part, the earnings are remarkable when compared to the more moderate earnings results for the S&P 500. The earnings per share percentage changes are 2018 results versus a year earlier. EPS Growth: -AT&T +21% -AmerisourceBergen +10% -Apple +41% -Blackrock +27% -Camping World...

Current investment analysis & charitable contributions

Patience is a very important factor in investment success. This is particularly valid when stocks selected for investment decline when the overall stock market is appreciating, such as the current case with Camping World Holdings (CWH) and Winnebago (WGO). However, because we do our own research at J.L. Bainbridge, we have extensive knowledge of each company carefully selected for investment. This...

Timing the market, Required Minimum Distributions & other news

As Summer winds to a close and the S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial, and Nasdaq are all makings new highs, it is more likely than ever for the human psyche to fall victim to the fool's errand of trying to time the market. With lots of experts on TV attempting to forecast the future of the markets, it is a good time to read Warren Buffet's quote, "We have long felt that the only value of stock fo...

Reconsidering your company’s retirement plan

Offering a 401(k) plan is a great way to attract and retain talent and help both business owners and employees save for retirement. The decision to sponsor such a plan, however, brings with it significant responsibilities, as well potential liability under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act and the Internal Revenue Code. Thus, doing it right is important. So is choosing the right type ...

Baby on board! Financial advice for new parents

Becoming a parent for the first time is one of the most exhilarating and joyful, yet equally terrifying, moments in any person’s life. In an instant, you gain a whole new perspective and set of responsibilities, especially in the area of finances. But with careful consideration and preparation, you can set your new family up for success. Here are a few financial planning suggestions for new p...

Inheriting an IRA: What you need to know

Transferring wealth when a family member passes away can prove to be a complex and confusing process. Inheriting a retirement account is not as simple as depositing the money into your bank account — there are stringent guidelines to follow, tax ramifications to keep in mind and long-term benefits and disadvantages to consider. IRS requirements and policies continually change, so make sure you <...

Evaluating current market volatility

Joel G. Oldham

The market has experienced renewed volatility over the past few weeks. Trade wars, interest rates, and privacy have dominated the headlines. When the Trump administration announced over $50 billion in tariffs on imports made in China, the DJIA(Dow) dropped more than 1,100 points. Only to be followed by the Dow rising almost 3% when the Chinese said they were open to improving access to their marke...

Playing the long game

Joel G. Oldham

Recent market activity, like the abrupt decline we saw in February, has many people understandably unsettled about their financial future. If you’re a long-term investor, however, these minute-by-minute fluctuations should serve as an important reminder of your big picture strategy. Gains for long-term investors are won not on daily market oscillations, but rather from growth experienced over ma...

Market volatility & changes from the new tax bill

D. Ryan Thompson CPA

This year, there has been one constant in the market... volatility. 2017 was one of the least volatile years in the last century, with only 4 trading days having more than a 1.5% downward move. We do not expect the recent extreme volatility, 1,000 point moves up and down, to persist, but relative to 2017, we anticipate that volatility will remain a fairly consistent part of the movements in the ma...

Four Questions to Ask During Your Annual Financial Review

John Leeming CFP®

Whether you’re gearing up for retirement or just starting your career, regular financial checkups are critical to ensure your monetary well-being. With the rush of the holidays now behind us and before 2018 is in full swing, January is the perfect time to meet with your financial advisor, evaluate your personal finance objectives and adjust your investment strategy as necessary. Here are a fe...

Keeping Your Cool in Hot Markets

Joel G. Oldham

As market valuations continue to climb upward, investors can develop a fear of heights, nervously anticipating a major correction — or worse. While many of our own clients have expressed concern about the high market, long-term investors — rather than speculators— are among those who should feel the most secure. That’s because they are invested in companies with a proven record of double-d...

J.L. Bainbridge is presenting sponsor for 5th annual Men, Whiskey, Watches and Wheels

J.L. Bainbridge & Company, Inc. is supporting the Child Protection Center as the presenting sponsor for the 5^th annual Men, Whiskey, Watches & Wheels. Event proceeds will support the CPC’s mission in the prevention, intervention, and treatment of child abuse. “We all have a responsibility to do anything we can to support children in our community who need our help,” sai...

Rethinking retirement risk

Conventional wisdom encourages investors to decrease the amount of stocks in their portfolio as they near retirement. But what happens when the “bonds are better” axiom no longer rings true? In our low interest rate environment, the yields of bonds and other fixed income investments like Treasuries and CDs have plummeted. With the purchasing power of bonds considerably eroded, retirees relyin...

Sept. 18 Hurricane Irma update from J.L. Bainbridge

Joel G. Oldham

Update: 9-18-17 We're pleased to report that power has been restored in our office and our server is up-and-running. We can once again access our J.L. Bainbridge & Company, Inc. emails and our services are fully functional. Thank you for your patience! Our thoughts are with those who are still recovering in the wake of Hurricane Irma.