Guest Blogger: Kristen Smith

Guest Blogger: Kristen Smith
Kristen is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™ professional at Axial Financial Group with over 15 years of experience working with individuals and their families in all facets of their financial life. For registered representatives: Kristen is a financial consultant located at The Axial Company, 5 Burlington Woods, Suite 102, Burlington, MA 01803. She offers securities as a Registered Representative of Commonwealth Financial Network, Member FINRA/SIPC. She can be reached at 781.273.1400 or ksmith@axialfg.com. CRR, LLP, Axial Financial Group, and Commonwealth Financial Network are separate and unrelated entities.
Find me on:

Recent Posts

Retirement Countdown: A checklist for the final steps on the road to retirement

There's a lot to consider as you prepare for retirement, so it's wise to begin planning well ahead of time. Once you begin nearing retirement age, the checklists below can help you stay on track for the retirement you have envisioned.

College Planning: How Your Savings Can Impact Financial Aid

If you're like many parents, you may be wondering whether saving too much for college will decrease your child's chances of receiving need-based federal financial aid. Here's an overview of how different types of assets fit into the financial aid equation.

How to Avoid Common Errors Around Required Minimum Distributions in Your Retirement Accounts

When it comes to their retirement accounts, many investors often fail to think about required minimum distributions (RMDs). That oversight can lead to unnecessary tax burdens and other financial issues. In order to handle RMDs effectively, an understanding of the rules—and common errors people make—can be beneficial.

Market Volatility and Your Investing Strategy

Fluctuations in your 401(k) or workplace retirement savings account can stir up negative emotions, making you want to hit the panic button. But in turbulent times, it's more important than ever to remain calm and stay on course toward your long-term retirement savings goals.

7 Tips to Help Smooth Your Job Transition

Starting a new job is exciting, but it can also be stressful, especially when it comes to transitioning your benefits package. I've put together a list of tips to help make this transition as seamless as possible and keep your financial plan on track.

Is a Donor-Advised Fund the Right Option for Your Concentrated Stock?

If you have worked at the same company for a long time, or received a large inheritance, it's likely that a significant portion of your wealth is tied up in a concentrated stock position. While this can certainly have monetary benefits when the company stock is rising, it also comes with a certain level of risk. A concentrated position  means that you are reliant on the success of a single company—while the market as a whole might bounce back from a decline, an individual stock might not. Additionally, selling the entire stock position may result in a large capital gains tax bill.

There are several options for mitigating this risk. If you are charitably inclined, a donor-advised fund may be an attractive solution, because of its ease, convenience, and overall benefits.

Should You Consolidate Your Retirement Accounts?

If you're like most people, you've saved for retirement in multiple ways, including employer plans and individual retirement accounts (IRAs). As you approach retirement, it may make sense to consolidate all of your savings into one account to achieve a coordinated investment plan.

What exactly is a financial plan?

As a Wealth Management Consultant, I'm often asked two questions "What is a financial plan?" and "Is a financial plan different from investment management?" In short, yes—financial planning and investment management are two distinct wealth management tools that work together to help you achieve your short- and long-term financial goals.

Retirement Income Planning: The Total Return Approach Vs. The Bucket Approach

Most working Americans have only one source of steady income before they retire: their jobs. When you retire, however, your income will likely come from a number of sources, such as retirement accounts, social security benefits, pensions, and part-time work.

When deciding how to manage your various assets to ensure a steady retirement income stream, there are two main strategies to consider: the total return approach, or the investment pool—or bucket—approach.

Is it time to worry about a trade war?

On March 1, 2018, President Trump announced that the US plans to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. Markets around the world were shocked by the news, with major US indices declining more than 1% just when it looked like they were recovering from the February downturn. Why did markets react so strongly? Is this a more serious threat going forward? In a word, yes.