John J. Diak, CFP®
Should You Skip Required Minimum Distributions for 2020?
The CARES Act RMD waiver gives retirees the breathing room they deserve as their account values hopefully recover.
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John J. Diak, CFP®
- May 26, 2020
- 4 min
Dividend Versus Growth Investments
A point of confusion for novice investors is sorting out the differences between dividend versus growth investments and determining which to
John J. Diak, CFP®
- Apr 28, 2020
- 5 min
What are the Differences Between an Individual Stock and ETF?
Learning about other common investing vehicles, such as ETFs and how they may be a good alternative, could prove to add a greater return.
John J. Diak, CFP®
- Mar 10, 2020
- 4 min
Why It’s Important to Diversify Your Investments
Diversification is an investment strategy seeks to reduce risk and maximize return for long-term investments such as retirement accounts.
John J. Diak, CFP®
- Feb 20, 2020
- 3 min
The Trouble With Forecasting The Market’s Future
The key to smart investing comes from looking to the market itself for insightful information rather than by making predictions or guesses.
John J. Diak, CFP®
- Jan 21, 2020
- 6 min
What New Investors Need to Know About Asset Allocation
Having an investment plan that prioritizes asset allocation will improve your chances of long-term success.
John J. Diak, CFP®
- Nov 20, 2018
- 2 min
What if Capital Gains Were Indexed to Inflation?
The indexing of capital gains to inflation has seen renewed interest of late. If the idea got the green light, that could hand investors a
John J. Diak, CFP®
- Aug 6, 2018
- 4 min
Should You Leave Your IRA to a Child?
Can a child inherit an IRA? The answer is yes, though they cannot legally own the IRA and its invested assets. It can get complicated.
John J. Diak, CFP®
- Jul 3, 2018
- 3 min
Choosing a Financial Professional
When we buy a car or a house, consider a school for our children, or plan our next vacation we take our time, shop around, and consider our
John J. Diak, CFP®
- May 29, 2018
- 3 min
Adjusting Your Portfolio as You Age
As you approach retirement, it may be time to pay more attention to investment risk. Rebalancing your portfolio with your time horizon in mi
John J. Diak, CFP®
- Apr 10, 2018
- 10 min
2018: A First Quarter Review
Stocks rallied in January, corrected in February, and slumped in March as volatility and economic policy changes took some of the enthusiasm
John J. Diak, CFP®
- Mar 30, 2018
- 3 min
Fear Must Not Inhibit a Financial Strategy
Fear dissuades some people from sticking with a long-term financial strategy and discourages other people from developing one. Patience and
John J. Diak, CFP®
- Jan 23, 2018
- 3 min
Should You Look at Insurance as an Investment?
Is a permanent life insurance policy an investment? One financial professional might answer that question with a “no,” another might say “in
John J. Diak, CFP®
- Jan 9, 2018
- 3 min
Can We Afford to Live to 100?
Some of us may retire at 65 and live to 100 or 105. Advances in health care may make this a strong possibility. The corresponding question i
John J. Diak, CFP®
- Dec 12, 2017
- 2 min
Enjoy the Rally, But Prepare for the Retreat
Will the current bull market run for another year? How about another two or three years? Stocks will correct at some point. A bear market co
John J. Diak, CFP®
- Nov 21, 2017
- 3 min
Are REITs Right for You?
These investments let you own real estate without having to be a landlord. By getting into a REIT, you can gain an ownership interest in pri
John J. Diak, CFP®
- Sep 26, 2017
- 3 min
A Look at Self-Directed Brokerage Accounts
Ever hear of an SDBA? That acronym stands for self-directed brokerage account. If you are enrolled in a 401(k), 403(b), or 457 plan, you mig
John J. Diak, CFP®
- Aug 15, 2017
- 3 min
Should Millennials Be Your Money Models?
Financially, Generation Y is often criticized for being risk averse & unaware. Is this truth, or is it fiction? In some instances, pure
John J. Diak, CFP®
- Aug 1, 2017
- 3 min
Beware of Emotions Affecting Your Money Decisions
Emotions can keep people from doing the right things with their money – or lead them to keep doing the wrong things. As you save, invest, an
John J. Diak, CFP®
- Jul 25, 2017
- 2 min
Investing in Your Beliefs
Many investors wind up buying shares of companies whose beliefs and business practices are far removed from their own. Often, they simply ha