WrapManager's Wealth Management Blog

With April Fool’s Day upon us, you might find that your toilet paper has been replaced by duct tape, a mysterious For Sale sign has appeared in your front yard, or that your milk has been colored green with food coloring. These harmless pranks may make you smile, but there are more serious “pranks” that cross the line: financial scams. Increasingly, fraudsters are targeting senior citizens. According to a widely cited 2011 study by MetLife and the Center for Gerontology at Virginia Tech, the amount of financial loss suffered by seniors each year is estimated to be at least $2.6 billion!1 [+] Read More

After years of cash yields of nearly zero across North America and Europe,1 the Federal Reserve has indicated that it is finally moving toward moving interest rates higher. [+] Read More

Quizmaster, Doug Hutchinson, has come up with another great quiz for us regarding how our emotions can influence our decisions. Let’s see where you stand. Good luck! [+] Read More

Check our our post: 3 Tips for Reducing Your Taxable Income in 2016. According to J.P. Morgan, the average American pays more in taxes than they do for food, clothing, and housing…combined. And, that only applies to income taxes! For investors, the cut often runs even deeper. Not only is your earned income reduced every year, but—J.P. Morgan also reveals that taxes on your investments can reduce an 8% annual return to as low as 5.2%.1 Click for larger view [+] Read More

Income-yielding investments can be an integral part of your retirement lifestyle planning. Incorporating dividend growth investments into your retirement plan doesn’t have to be difficult. When choosing investments that will provide a steady stream of income, look beyond just fixed-income securities like bonds, CDs, and money market funds. Stocks, too, can be an important source of investment income. [+] Read More

This year giving a monetary gift to your spouse, favorite charity or individuals you care about could be one of the best moves you make this tax season. Taking advantage of the gift tax is a smart tax planning strategy if you are in search of ways to help those you care about and save money on your annual tax bill. There are a couple of things to keep in mind when utilizing the gift tax. [+] Read More

Quizmaster, Doug Hutchinson has come up with another great quiz that compares buy-and-hold versus account rebalancing. Let’s see what the math has to say. Good luck! [+] Read More

Money manager strategies can be likened to the fuel for your retirement plans. Much like gasoline in a car or wind for a sailboat, money managers can propel your investment plan forward along the way to your retirement goals. As such they need to be researched and monitored closely. How do you know if your money manager’s performance is real? What should you look for in a good money manager? What are things to watch for? While each person’s approach is different, these are important questions to ask, especially if you’re noticing any of the following with your current or prospective money manager. [+] Read More

Transitioning from the working world into retirement brings a wealth of exciting new opportunities – having more time to spend with your family, traveling the world with a loved one, or perhaps devoting fresh time to an old (or a new!) hobby. If there’s one challenge though, it’s making sure you have sound wealth management strategies in place to support all of your income needs. The good news is that it’s a challenge you can easily address with the help of a financial advisor, and it essentially boils down to four easy steps. [+] Read More