Can we afford that house? Rules of thumb.
March 19, 2018  | By Kevin Smith

There is usually a difference between the house we really want and the house we can actually afford. Figuring out a reasonable purchase price is critically important for financial security, and it is easy to let that number float up,…Read More

Deciding which house to buy
March 12, 2018  | By Kevin Smith

This is the time of year when home buyers and sellers become very active. If you are a potential buyer, let’s face it, this town is EXPENSIVE! The obvious reasons are: 1) People want to live here at an increasing…Read More

Higher interest rates on cash
March 6, 2018  | By Kevin Smith

Good news! Higher short-term interest rates mean higher potential returns on your cash. This is not going to make or break your retirement plans, but it may be worth a 30 minute exercise to review the interest you are earning on…Read More

The Great Correction of February 2018
February 12, 2018  | By Kevin Smith

Last week was a doozy! The US stock market had been on a record-breaking streak of sessions without significant declines, so sharp drops in the market last week come as a stern reminder that we have been investing in unusual…Read More

Individual Bonds or Bond Funds?
February 5, 2018  | By Kevin Smith

Bonds do not get a lot of attention in conversations because they are both complicated and boring, but they are one of the three primary places to hold money that you have not spent. Those are currency, bonds, and equity…Read More

All time highs
January 30, 2018  | By Kevin Smith

  The level of anxiety about markets increasing dramatically is beginning to boil over. There are a variety of reasons working together to cause these feelings, often triggered by the recently common headline “New record highs!” There is a prevailing…Read More

2017 Market Recap
January 16, 2018  | By Kevin Smith

Please follow this link to view the complete annual report in PDF format. Here are some interesting highlights from 2017: Emerging market stocks +37% vs US Stock market +21% US Large Cap Growth index +30%, led by tech sector Top…Read More

Expanded Use of 529 Funds
January 10, 2018  | By Kevin Smith

Expanded Use of 529 Funds Beginning on January 1, 2018, 529 account owners may take tax-free withdrawals up to $10,000 annually from their accounts for tuition expenses at public, private, or religious schools. This provision will apply to elementary, middle, and high schools. Financial…Read More

We use Twitter to share timely info
January 3, 2018  | By Kevin Smith

If you are a frequent user of Twitter, you may want to consider following us @ATXWealthMgmt. Twitter can be a mess and a complete waste of time. However, I have found that by carefully curating a list of people to follow, it becomes an…Read More

What we understand about Bitcoin
December 26, 2017  | By Kevin Smith

As you might imagine, we field several inquiries about Bitcoin each week. The intrigue is certainly understandable and we have been doing our own research in an effort to make sense of it all. Our objective is to develop a sober and…Read More