Have you ever wondered how Federal Reserve's interest rate changes can affect the market? Well, Kevin Caron, a seasoned Portfolio Manager from Washington Crossing Advisors, drops by to decode the world of finance. With his in-depth knowledge and expertise, we explore current cash, bond, and stock environments, and discuss the impact that interest changes have on the market. Moreover, Kevin also unravels the potential benefits that can be reaped by savers due to these increases. As we delve deeper into the complexities of the financial world, we discuss the challenges that young investors migh ..read more

Want to uncover the hidden potential of 529 plans and the new twists introduced by the Secure Act 2.0? Wondering how this could be the game changer in your child's college fund or even your first-time home purchase? Then this episode is a goldmine waiting to be discovered. We unpack the quirks and benefits of 529 plans, investment plans that not only allow you to save for a beneficiary but also let you withdraw tax-free. We also delve into the changes brought by Secure Act 2.0, particularly how it now allows grandparents to contribute more towards their grandchild's college fund and the opport ..read more

Have you ever considered how to ensure your financial accounts' safety? Let's discuss the importance of trusted contacts in maintaining financial security. The Finra Rule 2165 is specifically designed to protect individuals over 65 years old or with a mental disability. We will also cover common scams targeting seniors and why keeping your trusted contacts up-to-date is crucial. We will also share real-life examples that illustrate how trusted contacts can safeguard clients. FINRA Video for Trusted Contact NCFG - Blog Post on Trusted Contact ..read more

What is a fiduciary? This is a question that Richard Oring is frequently asked by his clients at New Century Financial Group.   When looking for an advisor, it's an important question to ask. A fiduciary is an individual or organization legally required to manage a person's assets for that person's benefit, not their own.   Being a fiduciary means a financial advisor is held to a higher standard when making decisions for his or her clients. Fiduciaries must follow "duty of care" and "duty of loyalty" - Rich explains what these terms mean and entail. It's also important to understa ..read more

With the market volatility we've experienced in 2022, many folks are looking at different types of investment vehicles.  One that Richard Oring's clients have been asking about lately is the I Bond.  Today, Rich explains what they are and more. I bonds are securities issued by the US Treasury, that are 20 year notes and continue paying interest for an additional 10 years, for 30 total.   They can be purchased electronically or by paper. Rich explains the differences, and the limits on what you can buy. The interest rate on I bonds is comprised of a Fixed Rate plus an Inflation ..read more

There are many things you should consider when it comes to end-of-year tax planning, but today Rich and Jag are focusing on Tax Loss Harvesting. To understand tax loss harvesting, we will want to define terms.  Rich walks us through cost basis, capital gains (long and short term), capital losses (long and short term), carry-over losses, and the Wash Rule. Tax loss harvesting is when you take your investment losses for the year and use them to offset your investment gains, lowering your tax burden.  Also, in years where your losses more than offset your gains, you can carry that ove ..read more

How can I tell how well my portfolio is performing?   Through this podcast, it's Richard Oring's goal to educate listeners about managing their money.  Today, he and Jag look at different ways to evaluate the performance of your portfolio. First, it's important to understand your strategy and overall objective - is it retirement, savings or something else? Next, we look at total return- and the elements that come together to give you a total return. Then, what time periods do we use to evaluate total return?  And what benchmarks can we use in this analysis? Rich then breaks d ..read more

Do I need a financial advisor if I'm in my 20's? There's a stereotype that financial advisors are only for older adults - either in or approaching retirement.  And that's simply not true.  Today, Richard Oring of New Century Financial Group sits down with Jag to talk about why young adults need a financial advisor. Having a financial advisor early in your working years can be like having a coach who gets you into strong practices and habits for your entire career.   Through this relationship, you can talk about everything from debt and budgeting to job offers, life transitions ..read more

Investing in bonds can be an important part of your overall portfolio.  But many investors find them confusing.  Today, Richard Oring and Jag break down what you need to know. Stocks are pretty straightforward - if you buy a stock, you own a percentage of a company. Bonds, on the other hand, mean you are buying part of a company's debt. Rich explains. While bonds aren't for everyone, they do have some advantages, including diversification, capital preservation, and income generation. There are many types of bonds, including corporate bonds, municipal bonds, and treasury securities ..read more

There are many loans available for homeowners who want to renovate their homes.  Today, Richard Oring of New Century Financial Group is joined by Bobby Dmuchowski, VP of Mortgage Lending at Guaranteed Rate. Bobby explains the advantages of going to a mortgage broker, as opposed to going to your bank.   He also talks about the differences between HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit) and renovation loans. We cover Fannie Mae and HFA loans, fixed vs. variable rates, closing costs, underwriting, and how funds are dispersed. Rich also cautions our listeners to look at IRS publication 936 ..read more