Posts by Steve Pollock
January 2022 – Economic and Market Update
Executive Summary Inflation expectations are sticky business in the world of economics. In the world of common sense, they are more straightforward. Interest rates are expected to go higher, tapering is beginning, and fiscal stimulus appears to have come to an end. This should help to pull back inflation. Duration/interest rate risk is on the…
Read MoreLiving a Financially Free Retirement: One Woman’s Journey from San Diego to a Simpler Life in Oregon
We all have dreams for what our retirement will look like — regardless of whether we remain in our ‘forever home,’ close to friends and family, or purchase a beach house on a remote island, financial freedom is a core component in any stress-free and fulfilling retirement journey. Not only does financial freedom allow us…
Read MoreWhat is Probate?
Many of our clients don’t know what probate is, and that is probably a good thing. Probate is the legal process by which a will is validated. If there’s no will, it’s the legal process of settling a person’s affairs. How probate works The process, when required, varies by state. In some states (like California)…
Read MoreTo the Moon: The Cost of Space Flight Before and After SpaceX
This Visual Capitalist scatter chart plots inflation-adjusted launch cost per kilogram (log scale) from 1960 toward 2030, with data from the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Labeled vehicles include Soyuz, Saturn V, the Space Shuttle (among the highest costs shown), Long March 3b, Delta Heavy, Angara, and SpaceX’s Falcon 1, Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy,…
Read MoreOctober 2021 – Economic and Market Update
Executive Summary Stock concentration in the S&P 500 is leading us to make changes in how we allocate between passive and active management. Supply chain delivery times are a good indicator of the path of inflation; businesses are taking notice and expressing lengthened expectations on normalization of their supply chain. Job growth missed expectations again…
Read MoreSetting the record straight: Retirement accounts
Retirement planning is one of the most fundamental parts of our job. In order to build you the best possible plan, we want you to understand the basics of the different types of retirement accounts. This can help you share information with us. It can also help you understand the “how” and “why” of the…
Read MoreBeing a Remote Employee – The Good the Bad and the Ugly
This is such an honor to be asked to share my thoughts about my experience as a remote employee. I know working remotely for many of us has been very difficult during this pandemic. For me, it has been life as usual. I’ve been doing this for over four years now. The Reason Financial team…
Read MorePassthrough Entity Tax
TAX UPDATE FOR CALIFORNIA BUSINESS OWNERS Elective Passthrough Entity Tax For 2021 through 2025 taxable years, a qualified S-Corporation or Partnership that is doing business in California may elect to pay a pass-through entity tax equal to 9.3% of its qualified net income. This change allows California pass-through entities to take a deduction for the…
Read MoreNavy Wife Life
I was living in Long Island, New York on the unforgettable morning of September 11, 2001, when my life changed forever, in an unexpected way. The events of that day inspired many men and women to put the needs of their country first and join the military, including my friend Lenny. Lenny has since been…
Read MoreHoboken Pizza
Hoboken Pizza & Beer: How this local institution’s community ties helped them survive the pandemic. As Pacific Beach locals, one of Reason Financial’s go-to joints in the area is Hoboken Pizza & Beer. This San Diego institution not only serves up some of the best slices in town, but they have been a staple…
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