Thad Gilliam, CFA, CFP® – Verisail Partners

Below is an excerpt from an article I thoroughly enjoyed reading. It captures the thoughts and emotions of several clients I’ve spoken to recently, and how/why the market can be so high right now amid all the uncertainty. From its record high on February 19, 2020 the S&P 500 Index1 fell 33.79% in less than 5…

A big question that investors face as they approach retirement is when/how to take social security. Most investors are aware there is some type of penalty for taking early social security, but a lot of clients don’t know the exact reduction they’ll see by taking early benefits. Take a look at the chart below- it…

Recently, I watched the video below with professor Kenneth French (he’s one of the smartest finance minds in the world!). In the short video, he compares successfully timing the market to the idea of sports betting. To be successful in betting on a game, you cannot simply know which team is going to win or…

Often, the largest market cap stocks are in headlines a lot. Today, some of the largest stocks in the US include names such as Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Google, and Berkshire Hathaway (just to name a few). Since we hear about these companies so often, should we own more of these stocks? Yes and no. The…

For a lot of investors, the 401(k) is the main savings vehicle for accumulating wealth. 401(k) plans often provide matching contributions which helps you to save more each year, and reach your retirement goals quicker. The downside (in my mind) of some 401(k) plans is that you have limited investment options. It may be difficult…

We have three little kids in our family. We are constantly trying to get them to clean their room, pickup their toys…the list goes on. In the past we had a chore system that worked pretty well. If kids did their chores for the day, they got up to 2 “checks” per day (one for…

Let’s be honest. We’re in a weird place. COVID-19 seems to be getting better, but we are not out of the woods yet. With your investments, we are in a similar spot. The S&P 500 dropped from 3386 to 2237 (34% loss) from mid February until late March. In less than 60 days, the S&P…

One of the more popular programs of the recent CARES Act was the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Under the PPP, impacted businesses can apply for loans to cover payroll, rent, utilities, etc. If the proceeds are used to retain and pay employees, the loan can be forgiven. Up to 2.5 months (10 weeks) of payroll…

We hope all of you are hanging in there as COVID-19 continues to spread and families/businesses hunker down for the month of April. Congress approved the Coronavirus Stimulus Package last week to help shore up the economy. Here are the details: Couples earning under $150,000 will get $2,400 cash payment ($1,200 if you’re single and…

Retiring takes a lot of hard work, saving, and discipline. However, if you chose to retire in Georgia, there are some great tax benefits that make the transition to retirement a little cheaper and easier. Here are the main benefits of retiring in GA: GA Retirement Income Exclusion: This allows GA taxpayers (age 65 and…

Posts by Thad Gilliam, CFA, CFP®

20 Second Advisor: Is the Stock Market Divorced from Economic Reality?

20 Second Advisor: Can you beat the spread?

20 Second Advisor: Should you buy the biggest stocks?

20 Second Advisor: Target Retirement Funds – Good or Bad Idea?

20 Second Advisor: Hey Parents! Cash for Chores May Create Entitled Kids.

20 Second Advisor: Perils of Timing the Market…Again.

20 Second Advisor: Get in line! More funds for small business during COVID-19.

20 Second Advisor: Get Help From Coronavirus Stimulus Bill

20 Second Advisor: Why It’s Easy to Retire in GA.