Author Archives: Lon Jefferies

How Volatile (Dangerous) Is Today’s Stock Market?

By Lon Jefferies | Published: May 21, 2013
Based on conversations with clients, I’d suggest that most investors view the market of the new millennium as more volatile and fragile than it’s been in the past. New concerns that could affect a portfolio are seemingly always coming to light – think of the near-financial collapse of the U.S. economy during the last recession, [...]
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When Did You Last Review Your Insurance Coverage?

By Lon Jefferies | Published: April 29, 2013
When is the last time you compared rates on your home and auto insurance policies? Unfortunately, a stellar safety record doesn’t always translate into lower insurance rates. Even if you think you have a good rate, shopping around periodically is smart. After receiving my April newsletter and attempting to follow my advice of maintaining an [...]
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Did You Survive The Flash Crash Of 2013?

By Lon Jefferies | Published: April 26, 2013
Within three minutes during April 23, 2013, the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost nearly 150 points, and approximately $136 billion of market value was wiped out. The recovery was just as fast, and markets returned to having a profitable session (both the Dow and the S&P 500 were up over 1% for the day). The [...]
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Free Tax Preparation For Qualified Utah Residents

By Lon Jefferies | Published: April 5, 2013
April 15th is around the corner. Did you know there are programs that offer free tax preparation for those who qualify? UtahTaxHelp.org is a statewide initiative powered by Community Action Partnership of Utah, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free online and in person tax help you can trust. Who qualifies to file state and federal taxes [...]
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Should You Own an Umbrella Policy?

By Lon Jefferies | Published: March 26, 2013
As a financial planner, a good portion of my job consists of identifying and dealing with potential risks and liabilities for which my clients are exposed. One of the most comprehensive, cost-effective tools for reducing risk exposure is an umbrella insurance policy. Quite simply, if you are reading this newsletter, the purchase of an umbrella [...]
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Are You Protecting Your Credit Standing?

By Lon Jefferies | Published: March 8, 2013
A clean, accurate credit history is a critical piece of the personal finance puzzle. Staying on top of your credit standing over time can mean big savings since credit scores often determine your access to loans, interest rates, and monthly payments. An error on the report of any of the three major credit agencies – [...]
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What If The Stock Market Crashes?

By Lon Jefferies | Published: February 19, 2013
As the Dow has risen 138% since March 9, 2009, some investors worry the market is overheated and due for a pullback. An opposing view is the current price of the S&P 500 is comparable to its value in 1999, despite the fact that its earnings and dividends have doubled since that time, suggesting the [...]
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Dunbar’s Number

By Lon Jefferies | Published: January 25, 2013
Russ Thornton, a fee-only financial planner in Atlanta, wrote an interesting article about the number of clients financial advisors should have. I’ve summarized his thoughts below: Dunbar’s number is a research-based number of “stable social relationships” each one of us can maintain over time. Robin Dunbar’s studies suggest the number is somewhere between 100 and [...]
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Are Social Security Benefits Taxed?

By Lon Jefferies | Published: January 23, 2013
Ever wondered if your Social Security benefit is subject to federal tax? The answer depends on your annual household income. The first step is to calculate your “provisional income,” which is a combination of all your taxable income plus half your Social Security benefit. Comparing your provisional income to the following chart tells you how [...]
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