Broker Check

1410 Forest Drive Suite 28 Annapolis, MD 21403

410-990-0162
Free Portfolio Risk Analysis

Blog

Friday, September 1, 2023

Whether you’re just starting out in a new job, or you’ve been established for a while, you might want to take a look at your 401k options. One of the first things I ask of my clients is that they send me their 401k Summary...

Monday, August 14, 2023

Let’s face it – inflation is just a part of life. For most of us, we’re used to the slow creep of maybe around 1 – 2% each year. However, what we’re experiencing now feels a little…well…painful...

Tuesday, August 1, 2023

It's every parent's dream to leave a lasting legacy for their children. That said, passing on wealth is not as simple as we might think. Inheriting money or property can come with a lot of problems, some of which can be avoided with...

Tuesday, July 18, 2023

It’s hard to believe that we’re hitting the midpoint of summer. You might be looking at the calendar and thinking, “If I’m going to plan some get-togethers, it needs to be NOW.”Below are some fun (and...

Thursday, July 13, 2023

You’ve got your tax return filed. You’ve gotten a refund or found out how much you owe. I know you’re ready to file all that away and not think about it for another year.But wait!Before you close that folder,...

Show All

Tuesday, June 20, 2023

Certificate of Deposits (CDs) are a popular investment option for those looking to earn a guaranteed return on their savings. With interest rates playing a significant role in the value of this investment product, you might be...

Wednesday, May 10, 2023

There are many things to look forward to when we hit retirement age: spending more time with family, travel, more time to relax, and countless other things that might be on your to-do list when you have more free time.But living a...

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

As a parent, you know that the days are long and the years are short, or so the saying goes. One minute you’re loading them in a stroller and the next you’ve got your hands over your eyes when they take the wheel of a car...

Monday, March 20, 2023

Retirement is a time of reflection and change.; you've worked hard your entire life, and now it's time to enjoy the fruits of your labor! But what if you're not happy with your current location? Is it ever too late to move somewhere...

Friday, March 17, 2023

In a previous post, we discussed how your credit score is calculated and why good credit is so important: it’s the main factor in determining whether you qualify for a loan, what interest rates you get, and how much you pay in...

Wednesday, March 8, 2023

As parents, it’s our job to wean our children off things as they get older and more independent:PacifiersBottlesCrying at the grocery store when they can’t get the Hot Wheels they want.But our job doesn’t end there....

Tuesday, February 14, 2023

Oof. This has been a rough year. I’m not just talking about 2023 (which we’re just starting); I’m talking about the build-up to this point as we’ve navigated a roller coaster of a market and painful inflation...

Sunday, February 5, 2023

I’m always excited to speak to a prospective client for the first time. It’s a chance to get to know each other and make sure that it’s the right fit on both sides. It’s also a chance for me to take a look at...

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

It’s that time of year again—time to start planning for the upcoming tax season. And just like that, Congress squeaked in some last-minute tax changes at the end of 2022. The new legislation is called the SECURE Act 2.0...

Tuesday, January 3, 2023

Financial planning isn’t something that most people do on their own. As they say – teamwork makes the dream work, and your team should be made up of several different professionals who each bring a unique set of skills to...

Thursday, December 15, 2022

Part of getting into the holiday spirit sometimes goes hand-in-hand with getting into holiday debt. But it doesn’t have to be that way! Below are some ideas on how you can save on everything from gift-giving to entertainment so...

Monday, November 21, 2022

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the day after an election…we knew exactly who had won and what was going to happen next?As I write this, two weeks after the 2022 election, we’re still not there yet.While I wish I could...

Tuesday, November 1, 2022

You’ve received the sad news that you’ve lost a loved one. You’ve also learned that you are the beneficiary of some assets. Now what do you do?Unfortunately, we know that 80% of all inheritances are spent within ten...

Thursday, October 27, 2022

A client of mine called because their budget wasn’t working, and they were coming up short every month. This was eating into their cash reserve. When we looked at what was going on, we realized they made several significant...

Monday, October 10, 2022

It’s quite possible that when you thought about retirement in your 40s and 50s you did so with a sense of anticipation. The free time! You’ll get to do whatever you want! No more reporting to anyone!However, if you’re...

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

Long Term Care insurance is something that many people feel is necessary…and confusing. We asked the professionals at Pilot Financial to give us their thoughts on the most commonly asked questions.What is the ideal age to...

Wednesday, August 31, 2022

The last couple of years have seen some big changes in the real estate market; Covid, low inventory, and rising interest rates are just a few of the things buyers and sellers are dealing with. We're checking in with realtor Tara Kelly...

Thursday, August 4, 2022

With all the ups and downs of travel being reported in the news, we decided to talk to travel agent Lisa Bennett with Expand Your Horizons Travel about what we should know before we book that dream trip.  As travel continues...

Wednesday, July 20, 2022

Have you ever been in this situation?You’re sitting across from a salesperson about to make a major purchase and they start clicking away at a keyboard to pull up your credit score. You start to worry. Did you pay that credit...

Wednesday, July 13, 2022

A while back, I met with a couple I started working with 15 years prior. They were in their forties at the time – one of my favorite ages to start working with people; the longer the time you have to plan, the greater impact I...

Wednesday, June 22, 2022

With so many of the country’s conversations focused on mental health, it’s important to address something that could be a key factor in contributing to anxiety and/or depression.Finances.According to recent surveys,...

Wednesday, June 8, 2022

It seems impossible to avoid the news of a possible recession. But as with anything when it comes to finances, the big question is…what does a recession mean for YOU?Investopedia defines recession as “a period of...

Thursday, May 26, 2022

When it comes to physical fitness, I’ve always thought of myself as a brick house. Some mornings, I even start out the day listening to the song “Brick House” to get myself moving and motivated. Now that song...

Tuesday, May 17, 2022

Many investors are watching the market right now, trying to make sense of what’s going on and get some perspective. However, that can sometimes be difficult when you’re IN the situation; many times we need a little distance...

Wednesday, April 20, 2022

Before we get into HOW you might be able to save $4 million by the time you retire, let’s back up and determine this:Do you NEED to save $4 million for retirement?The amount of money needed for retirement is different for...

Wednesday, April 13, 2022

When we think of retirement, most of us envision relaxing days spent doing whatever we want to do. So, it’s important to protect that dream by planning for the unexpected – even in retirement.Just like your pre-retirement...

Friday, March 11, 2022

When most people think of self-care, visions of manicures and massages often come to mind. But, in reality, self-care can incorporate a lot of different things.The Oxford Dictionary defines self-care as, “the practice of taking...

Friday, March 4, 2022

Between all the scams we get in our inboxes every day and the current concern over cybersecurity as Russia invades Ukraine, making sure our personal information is as protected as possible is something many people are taking seriously...

Thursday, February 10, 2022

When extreme inflation occurs, it can be tempting to hide your cash under the mattress until it passes. However, hoarding your cash might actually mean you’re losing money rather than keeping it safe. Real Rate of ReturnWhen...

Tuesday, February 8, 2022

Unfortunately, I’m not talking about those who love a good sandwich. I’m talking about people who find themselves providing support in some form to both their children and their parents. You may be helping your...

Wednesday, February 2, 2022

If you’ve seen a recent increase in your income (or you know one is on the horizon) …congratulations!Now, let’s see if we can really get that money working for you.I know it can be tempting to look at the extra funds...

Monday, January 10, 2022

Let’s be honest: NO ONE likes to see a dip in their personal financial accounts – even financial professionals. Just like everyone else, I too have quarters when my statements come back lower than they were the previous...

Monday, January 10, 2022

“No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.” - Heraclitus -Many of us went from 2020 to 2021 feeling somewhat optimistic, right? New year…fresh...

Monday, December 6, 2021

If you’ve been wondering how charitable giving might work within your financial plan, you’ve come to the right place.As with all financial decisions…if, how, and why you choose to donate is personal. At C. Beach Brown...

Monday, November 22, 2021

That’s what my seventh-grade daughter recently told me. Of all of the traits I’ve passed on to her…I’m most proud of our mutual love of Black Friday.While many people hear those words and shudder in terror, we...

Wednesday, October 6, 2021

During the month of October, C. Beach Brown clients have been invited to participate in an Online Spending Challenge. We’re encouraging everyone to leave their items in their online shopping cart and only check out on Fridays,...

Tuesday, September 28, 2021

During the month of October, C. Beach Brown clients have been invited to participate in an Online Spending Challenge. We’re encouraging everyone to leave their items in their online shopping cart and only check out on Fridays,...

Wednesday, September 22, 2021

Confession time: I love the Ama*** Fairy. They deliver boxes directly to my door step several times a week and many times I don’t even know what I will be opening when the box arrives. This is usually due to an item...

Wednesday, September 15, 2021

What if you could take care of things on your financial to-do list…without even really thinking about it?Welcome to the world of habit stacking.The concept of habit stacking has been around for a while, but I recently became more...

Wednesday, August 11, 2021

After a long year (and counting) of dealing with Covid, many of us have been itching to get out of the house and back out into the world. We’re ready to buy those plane tickets, make those hotel reservations, and feel normal...

Wednesday, August 11, 2021

In our last blog, we asked travel expert Deb Clark what people should be aware of if they’re making travel plans in the near future.But what if your plans for travel are part of your retirement goals?In this piece we talk about...

Thursday, July 1, 2021

With today’s low-interest rate environment, many people have decided to refinance their mortgages.  Some traded a 30-year mortgage for a 15-year mortgage and kept their payments about the same, while others have a new...

Sunday, June 20, 2021

We’ve experienced a lot of changes over the last year (yes, I know – that’s an understatement!). One of the many industries that has had to adapt to Covid and the aftermath is real estate. Whether you’re...

Thursday, June 17, 2021

With the ups and downs the market has experienced over the last year, you might have stock market fatigue - and all the recent talk about inflation probably isn’t helping.While some investors might be looking at their retirement...

Monday, June 14, 2021

It’s summer, which means that many of you have probably just breathed a huge sigh of relief having lived through graduation ceremonies and ending the long road through high school. Now, you’re beginning to put together a...

Tuesday, May 25, 2021

When I ask clients for their tax returns, I’m sometimes met with a “why?” The truth is that many of the documents that you collect to file your taxes can help with your financial planning. And that’s good news!...

Tuesday, May 25, 2021

As adults, we’ve been told over and over again to make sure we have enough life insurance should the unthinkable happen. And if you’ve followed this advice, I congratulate you. Unfortunately, not everyone does.However, as...

Monday, March 15, 2021

In the early days of email and the internet, it was pretty easy to spot a scammer: the grammar might be a little off or the situation they were presenting seemed so outlandish that it didn’t take a cybersecurity expert to detect...

Tuesday, March 9, 2021

When disaster strikes at home, it’s incredibly stressful. Our homes are our sanctuaries, our comfort zones. So, when you have pipe burst or a sewage back up (lovely, I know) it can send you into a panic.In many ways, it’s...

Thursday, February 11, 2021

When it comes to retirement planning, most people focus on their finances; planning for healthcare costs, living expenses, and having some fun along the way is what we’re all told will make a successful retirement.However –...

Thursday, February 11, 2021

It’s the beginning of a new year and we’re all ready to start fresh. The holidays are behind us and (hopefully) we’re feeling upbeat and renewed and ready to tackle what’s coming. That’s why this is...

Thursday, February 11, 2021

I know that it’s a little difficult to look at 2020 with a “glass half full” mentality, but sometimes that’s the only way I could keep my sanity. Really, when I look back, some good things did happen....

Wednesday, January 27, 2021

The pandemic has had a long-term ripple effect on just about everyone in the world. From job loss to losing loved ones, it might be years before we know the true impact of what we’ve been through this last year.But I want to look...

Tuesday, January 19, 2021

I am a lifelong Weight Watcher - a returning champion. Rather than think of myself as of having failed, gained weight back, and landed myself back in weekly meetings, I prefer to see myself as persistent.One of the keys to losing...

Thursday, January 7, 2021

With the cold of winter, many people are thinking about SnowBirding in their retirement.  What is SnowBirding?It’s migrating south for the cold winter months and then returning to the north for the remainder of the year...

Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Friedrich Nietzsche said, “For a tree to become tall it must grow tough roots among the rocks.”  This global pandemic that we are in the middle of is certainly a rocky time! What are the roots you should be...

Thursday, November 19, 2020

Government contractors face additional retirement challenges when compared to their Federal Employee counterparts. Contractors have no pension, have to plan for health insurance in retirement, can’t necessarily control their own...

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

“You have to plan to live."  This is a direct quote from a client of mine this week.  She is part of what I think of as the new sandwich generation.  As Americans are living longer, the age of the sandwich...

Wednesday, September 23, 2020

Your last name doesn’t need to be Rockefeller to have a charitable giving plan.  Charitable giving means different things to different people.  Some of my clients tithe which by definition means giving 10% of your...

Monday, September 14, 2020

Most of my clients have target date funds available to them in their 401ks and TSPs.  If you are not familiar with Target Date Funds, they act a lot like their name.  They are mutual fund strategies that target a date of use...

Monday, August 31, 2020

DaVinci famously said, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication."  Yet, it is not uncommon for me to encounter an investor who has multiple accounts with multiple companies. This can be a problem because having too many...

Friday, April 24, 2020

Today’s job market is constantly evolving. Unfortunately, that may mean that you are receiving a pink slip and if you are lucky a severance package. Here are some steps to take and things to consider.If you are receiving a...

Friday, April 17, 2020

As many people approach retirement, they start thinking about moving. Before you move, make sure that you think it through.Do you have family considerations that will keep you in your current area? Is it important to you to stay close...

Friday, February 14, 2020

Do you envision a home at the beach with the sun shining over crystal blue waters and miles of sand just waiting for you to spend time relaxing? Perhaps you see yourself walking into your ski house armed for the coming week with the...

Friday, January 31, 2020

“Working hard for something we don’t care about is called stress. Working hard for something we love is called passion.”-Simon SinekBeing a financial adviser is a calling for me. I didn’t plan on being a...

Friday, January 24, 2020

It happens. You open your bank statement and realize that over the past couple of years your bank account has crept up to $50,000, $100,000 or even $200,000. It feels good to open that statement and see that cash sitting there. It...