AssetGrade, LLC Registered Investment Advisors

Many parents who are saving for retirement and college often fall into a trap – how do you help your kids pay for college while planning for your retirement? It’s like the airplane safety brief: put your own mask on first before helping others. As someone who has two teenage daughters with college dreams on the horizon, here are three steps to help you plan and save for retirement while helping your child pay for college.

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The College Funding Trap | AssetGrade, LLC Many parents who are saving for retirement and college, often fall into a trap – how do you help your kids pay for college while planning for your retirement? It’s like the airplane safety brief: put your own mask on first before helping others. As someone who has two teenage daughters with coll...

Most people think they would recognize a Ponzi scheme, but it’s not that easy.

Consider a recent SEC case involving approximately 300 investors and at least $140 million.

As usual, the investment had a plausible story. Investors were told their money would fund short-term bridge loans to businesses awaiting longer-term financing. The loans would generate interest, providing investors returns of up to 18%, substantially higher than current market rates.

Read the full article on our website:

I’d Never Fall for a Ponzi Scheme | AssetGrade, LLC Most people think they would recognize a Ponzi scheme, but it’s not that easy.Consider a recent SEC case involving approximately 300 investors and at least $140 million.As usual, the investment had a plausible story. Investors were told their money would fund short-term bridge loans to businesses ...

Retirement is often treated like a light switch: Friday you work full-time, Monday you’re retired.
For many folks, that cliff-edge transition creates a bigger adjustment than they expected. The
better approach may be to retire gradually.

As we move through the second half of the year, the headlines continue to remind us that uncertainty is a constant part of investing. From inflation and interest rates to global events and market volatility, it's easy to wonder what it all means for your financial future.

That's why we're pleased to share our July 2026 Quarterly Market Review, which takes a closer look at what's happening in today's markets, what's driving recent performance, and the long-term principles that continue to guide our investment approach.

We hope this report provides a helpful perspective and reinforces the importance of staying focused on your long-term goals rather than short-term headlines.

Read the report here:

2026 July Market Review | AssetGrade, LLC AssetGrade Market Summary – July 2026Learn More Here

Check out AssetGrade’s recent quarterly update on the economy and markets. Kate Hennessy discusses the impact of geopolitical issues on the economy, and why it’s important to stay invested.

2026 April Market Review | AssetGrade, LLC AssetGrade Market Summary – April 2026Learn More Here

Why "Time in the Market" is Your Most Valuable Asset in 2026.
For many individuals reaching age 65 this year, the instinct to protect a lifetime of savings is at an all-time high.

The Retirement Timing Trap | AssetGrade, LLC Why "Time in the Market" is Your Most Valuable Asset in 2026For many individuals reaching age 65 this year, the instinct to protect a lifetime of savings is at an all-time high. With retirement less than 12 months away, the volatility of the current market—where moves of 1% or more occur every 5 t...

I recently had a great reminder of why I really love serving in wealth management. A client coming up on their 10-year anniversary with AssetGrade told me “Thank you, thank you, thank you! We appreciate everything you do for us.”

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! | AssetGrade, LLC I recently had a great reminder of why I really love serving in wealth management. I was chatting with a client and I let her know that she and her husband were approaching their 10-year anniversary as AssetGrade clients.

Check out AssetGrade’s January Market Review and learn more about what asset classes performed well in 2025 and impact of too much cash on the sidelines.

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Many investors will have the happy problem of unrealized capital gains in 2025. If these gains are in a taxable brokerage account and have been held for more than a year, if the securities are sold, they would incur a long-term capital gains tax in the range of 0% - 38%, depending on the investors’ income level and state of residency (when including the 3.8% NIIT, or net investment income tax). The good news is that investors can diversify their portfolios without selling the positions and incurring the taxes, via the alternative approaches below.

What to do with Capital Gains Before Year-End | AssetGrade, LLC Many investors will have the happy problem of unrealized capital gains in 2025.

Do you participate in an employer-sponsored 401k Plan and are over 50 years old? If so, check out our recent article about a new change that is impacting participants.

Catch-up Contributions in 2026 | AssetGrade, LLC Do you participate in an employer-sponsored 401k Plan and are over 50 years old? Catch-up contributions are additional contributions that employees 50 years and older can make to a 401(k) or similar workplace plan.