Tableaux Wealth Insights
Guidance, views, and commentary to help you make better financial decisions.
The Case for Gold, Despite the Recent Pullback
As of the time of this writing, the price of gold has fallen roughly 6% from its all-time high of $4,379 per ounce in October. Despite this pullback, I’m going to share a few reasons why we believe a positive long-term outlook for gold remains intact.
Getting More from a High-Value Illiquid Asset
Charitable remainder trusts (CRTs) can be a great way to enjoy (or let someone else enjoy) the income of a highly appreciated asset, while ultimately leaving it to charity and getting big tax benefits. But if that asset is illiquid or hard to market, a standard CRT won’t do. Enter the flip CRUT.
Non-Spousal Inherited IRAs: Avoid Tax Deferrals that Increase Your Taxes
We admittedly have a bias that much of life planning can benefit from financial planning. But thanks to a federal law change in 2020--with additional rules effective in 2025--inheriting an IRA is a particularly good excuse to check in with your financial advisor.
Investing in Artificial Intelligence (AI)
As I continue to learn about the impact of AI, I can’t help but think about how best to invest in it. Even when we know a new technology is likely to impact the world, it can be very difficult to identify companies in which to invest.
Do You Believe in Momentum?
Momentum surrounds us—in our habits, in sports, and in markets. Sometimes it’s real, sometimes it may just be randomness wearing a convincing disguise. How you feel about momentum might be a key determinant of your investment personality.
Saving by Switching Your Medicare Part D Plan
It can pay to switch your Medicare Part D plan. These prescription drug plans offered by Medicare can change from year to year, sometimes dramatically. For some retirees, an annual review can mean saving hundreds of dollars in the coming year.
The Role of Bitcoin
In 2017, I wrote a skeptical article about Bitcoin. As a financial advisor focused on long-term planning, I questioned Bitcoin’s usefulness and worried about its volatility.
Eight years later, I still have reservations, but my thinking has evolved …
529 Plans: Unsung Heroes of Financial Planning
If you’ve thought that 529 Plans, also known as qualified tuition programs, are relevant only to parents and prospective college students, you are not alone. But you’ve been mistaken. The 529 Plan is an unsung hero of financial planning that deserves some attention and celebration …
Invest in Your Own Demise
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly progressing. Every new technology comes with warnings about jobs being lost, and yet we’ve always found a way to keep creating new jobs. AI has potential for job creation as well as disruption.
Market Commentary: More Growth—and Rising Inflation?
This month I’d like to update our outlook for inflation, the Federal Reserve, and GDP—and touch on an interesting theme within GDP’s components.
Then I’ll tie it all together and draw three conclusions…
Tableaux Wealth Closes on New, Larger Office Space
We’re pleased to announce that we have closed on our new office space at 80 Maple Avenue in Great Barrington. That’s on Route 41/23, just west of the rotary at Route 7 …
Why Mass. Residents Might Consider Trusts
Many Massachusetts residents—especially married couples, those who own a home, those with children from multiple relationships, and those with over $2 million in assets—could benefit from a more robust estate plan that includes trusts.
The Case for Gold
Gold is setting new all-time highs. While there has been ongoing uncertainty in the last several years, the impetus for gold’s recent increase may be more closely related to de-globalization and the shift away from the U.S. dollar …
Tableaux-ing Away the Pack
Gold is great, but silver isn’t bad either. Tableaux Wealth’s Josh Billings race team “Tableaux Your Mind” took second place in the corporate category at this year’s Josh …
Downsizing Difficulties and How to Plan for Them
Downsizing has become more difficult, with older folks increasingly “stuck” in larger homes. For some retirees, it may make sense to plan for the possibility of remaining in their current house.
Is the Stock Market Scary?
Financial pundits have warned that we may be approaching bubble territory, with recent gains in AI-focused stocks particularly worrisome. I get questions daily from investors concerned about whether the market is overheated. And I’d say that current stock prices are not unhinged.
Market Commentary: Positive Numbers
Two data points—S&P 500 earnings and a sub-component of labor market data—are telling us where the markets are going.
Giving a Lifeline to Charities—and a Tax Benefit to Yourself
With funding cuts and higher costs, charitable organizations face increasing financial strain. Many charities now face budget gaps that threaten core programs. But there’s a way that many retirees can help, while getting a tax benefit: the qualified charitable distribution, or QCD.
Join Us at the Josh
It’s less than a month away, and most of us at Tableaux Wealth are training, or thinking about starting to train, for the 48th annual Josh Billings RunAground Triathlon, happening on Sunday, September 14.
CRUT, CRAT, and CGA—Three Ways to Give and Receive
Estate planning trusts can be a confusing alphabet soup of abbreviations.
Here are three estate planning strategies that are especially helpful for those who want to donate to charity while bolstering their retirement income: the Charitable Remainder Unit Trust (CRUT), the Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust (CRAT), and the Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA).