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The COMPASS Chronicle, our newsletter, was named “Morningstar's Best Client Newsletter” in 2012. Click on the link above for our most recent newsletter or click on the links below for the individual articles. Feel free to share this newsletter with anyone who may have interest. To access our previous newsletters, please click on the tab “Recent Newsletters” in the lower left margin of this page.

Seven Key Components Of Trump's Tax Reform Plan
On November 8, 2016, Donald Trump was elected the 45th president of the United States, culminating a two-year campaign. It is expected that it will take considerably less time . . .
Read more..
Five Key Documents In An Estate Plan
To do a job right, you need the proper tools. And while each and every estate plan is unique, these five documents are often integral elements . . . Read more..

How To Guard Against “Skimmers”
In this age of technology, you probably don't think twice about using the ATM at your bank, the self-checkout machine at the supermarket, or various credit card terminals around town . . . Read more..

When Does Life Insurance Make Sense?
As a basic tool to protect your family, life insurance has an obvious appeal. But its value goes beyond the obvious benefit of providing cash for your loved ones at a crucial juncture . . . Read more..

Where Will You Live After You Retire?
Planning your retirement involves far more than determining how much income you will need. One of the most basic and important decisions is where you want to live during your retirement years . . . Read more..
Personal Finance Articles
Debt
- A Quick Guide to Home Equity Loans Sep 2011
- Borrowing from Your Retirement Aug 2012
- Four Steps to Debt Reduction Jul 2011
- In Debt We Trust? Nov 2012
- Quick Facts: Credit Cards Feb 2013
- Reduce Your Mortgage Payment Sep 2014
- Reverse Mortgages for Seniors Mar 2011
Economy
- COMPASS 2012 – 2013 Economic Forecast Sep 2012
- Congress Leading Us to Fiscal Cliff Dive? Dec 2012
- Economic Outlook for 2014
- Economic Outlook for 2012
- Employment Continues to Grow Jan 2015
- Employment Growth Remarkably Strong July 2015
- Fiscal Cliff Decision Reached Jan 2013
- Here We Go Again!? Sep 2013
- Hurricanes Katrina and Rita: Their Impact on the Economy and Bonds 2005
- In Debt We Trust? Nov 2012
- Inflation and Hourly Wage Growth Aug 2015
- Inflation Can Vary by Category Dec 2014
- The Fed Kicks the Can Down the Road Oct 2015
- The Fiscal Cliff Jun 2012
- The Great Debt Debate Aug 2011
- The Personal Saving Rate Mar 2013
- U.S. Debt Ceiling and the Credit Downgrade Aug 2011
- Unemployment by Education Level Jan 2015
- Unemployment Rates in the European Union Feb 2013
- With QE2 Over What's Next Jul 2011
Education Funding
- Borrowing from Your Retirement Aug 2012
- Compare Minor's Account To 529 Plan Winter 2016
- Dispelling Myths about 529 Plans Dec 2013
- Financial Aid for College: A Few Tips Jun 2014
- Saving For College Fall 2010
- Saving For College Spring 2007
- Saving For Retirement Versus College Fall 2007
- Section 529 Plans Are Getting Even Better Spring 2016
- Seeking Financial Aid: Don't Fear The FAFSA Fall 2016
- The Price of Education Jan 2012
- The Rising Cost of Not Going to College Oct 2014
Estate Planning
- 5 Key Documents In An Estate Plan Winter 2017
- 5 Reasons To Amend Your Estate Plan Spring 2016
- Do You Have a Plan for Your Digital Estate? Aug 2014
- Five Estate-Planning Tasks That You Shouldn't Put Off Jul 2014
- Legal Documents for your Children Jul 2012
- Losing A Loved One Fall 2009
- Planning for the Unexpected Jan 2011
- Show More Life With A Living Trust Summer 2016
- What's The Truth About Probate Summer 2016
Financial Fraud
- Credit Cards Becoming Smarter Dec 2014
- Don't Be Victimized By These 10 Common Scams Spring 2016
- Don't Get Scammed by Skimmers Mar 2012
- How To Guard Against "Skimmers" Winter 2017
- Made Off with $50 Billion Winter 2009
- Protect Your Credit and Cash Mar 2014
- Protecting Your Credit Spring 2010
- Where has the Integrity Gone Winter 2004
- Who Has Your Identity Now Summer 2004
General Financial Planning
- Breaking Up Is Hard To Do Aug 2012
- Celebrate Financial Independence July 2013
- Check 21 Winter 2005
- Credit Cards Becoming Smarter Dec 2014
- Financial Planning for Women Nov 2013
- In Case of Emergency Jul 2011
- New Year's Financial Resolutions Jan 2011
- Saving for an Emergency Feb 2013
- Securing Your Portfolio May 2012
- Selecting a Financial Advisor Sep 2012
- Should You Buy or Lease Your Next Vehicle? Sep 2014
- Simple Steps for Late Savers Apr 2012
- Teaching Your Kids About Money Dec 2012
- The Importance of Saving for Women June 2013
- 'Tis the Season for Giving Dec 2011
- Wealth by Numbers Jul 2012
- What Is a Credit Score Mar 2012
- Women and Investing A Behavioral Finance Perspective Jan 2014
- Your Credit Score Fall 2009
Insurance
- Five Key Questions About Long-Term Care Insurance Apr 2012
- Good News for 2012 Medicare Premiums Nov 2011
- Government Health-Care Spending Medicaid Sep 2011
- Government Health-Care Spending Medicare Sep 2011
- Health Care, a Central Issue in 2012 Jul 2012
- How Safe Is Your Life Insurance Policy? Sep 2013
- Insuring for Long-Term Care Feb 2011
- Insuring Your Health Fall 2011
- Life Insurance Types and Needs Jan 2013
- Long-Term Care Is It a Risk Worth Insuring Spring 2003
- Should You Purchase Rental Car Insurance? Aug 2013
- The Cost Of Long-Term Care Insurance Fall 2007
- When Does Life Insurance Make Sense? Winter 2017
Investment Concepts
- After the Storm Jan 2011
- Benefits of Staying Invested Sep 2013
- Chasing Performance May 2011
- Compare and Compound Ap 2011
- Dangers of Market Timing Jun 2011
- Dollar-Cost Averaging: Slow and Steady Aug 2012
- Don't Chase After The Market News Fall 2016
- Expenses on the Rise Aug 2013
- Exploration in Diversification Apr 2011
- Fed Policy, Inflation, and Interest-Rate Risk Mar 2014
- Five Lessons from the Three-Year Market Rally Sep 2013
- How Will Bond Funds React to Rising Rates Oct 2015
- Inflation, not Rising Rates, Biggest Bond Threat in the Long Term Jul 2014
- Investing Without Emotion May 2011
- Keep Your Cool Oct 2012
- Keeping It Real Sep 2012
- Large Stock Dividend Yield Versus 10-Year Treasury Yield Jul 2014
- Know Your Risks July 2013
- Lighten the Load Nov 2013
- Managing Risk through Diversification Sep 2011
- Measuring Fear in the Markets Sep 2013
- Overconfidence False Perception Dec 2011
- Remember The Lesson Of Rebalancing Summer 2016
- Retirement The Next Generation June 2012
- Return Risk and Taxes June 2013
- Risk, Not Volatility, Is the Real Enemy Apr 2013
- Saving Is Not Enough Oct 2013
- Short-Term Focus Coping with Near-Term Fluctuations Feb 2014
- Short-Term Focus Jan 2012
- Staying in Style Fall 2011
- The Asset Allocation Puzzle Nov 2011
- The Costs of Financial Procrastination Feb 2011
- The Flavors of Investing June 2013
- The Importance of Rebalancing Jan 2011
- The Importance of Staying Invested Apr 2012
- The Many Faces of Inflation Feb 2011
- The Many Faces of Risk Apr 2015
- Tune Out the Noise May 2014
- Two Types of Diversification May 2014
- Understanding Financial Capital and Human Capital Nov 2013
Investment Strategies
- 401k Contributions and Tax Savings May 2011
- A Bond Bubble? May 2013
- A Disciplined Approach To Investing Summer 2008
- A World of Opportunity Feb 2011
- Are Bonds Adding to Your Equity Exposure Feb 2012
- Bonds at Risk Jul 2010
- Bonds at Risk Fall 2002
- Bond Basics Feb 2012
- Common Investment Mistakes Spring 2007
- Dividend Income: Not So Fixed Jun 2014
- ETFs Versus Actively Managed Funds Feb 2014
- Five Fund Fallacies Spring 2006
- Floating-Rate Options When Interest Rates Rise Aug 2014
- History of Interest Rates Jan 2014
- How Much Foreign Stock and Bond Exposure July 2015
- Hurricanes Katrina and Rita: Their Impact on the Economy and Bonds 2005
- Investing in Emerging Markets Feb 2011
- Investors Have Most of Their Money in Intermediate Bonds Apr 2014
- Municipal Bonds and Tax-Equivalent Yields Feb 2012
- PIIGS Performance Apr 2013
- Politics and Investment Performance April 2011
- Politics and Stocks Oct 2012
- Reducing the IRS' Bite with Tax-Efficient Funds May 2012
- Roth IRA Versus Defined Contribution Plan July 2013
- Take Advantage of Tax-Deferred Accounts Mar 2011
- The Emergence of the Emerging Markets Apr 2013
- The Great Yield Chase Apr 2014
- The Roth 401(k) Is It Right For You Fall 2007
- Understanding Alternative Investments June 2015
- What’s Next for the Stock Market? Apr 2013
Market Commentary
- Monthly Market Commentary Oct 2015
- Monthly Market Commentary Sep 2015
- Monthly Market Commentary Aug 2015
- Monthly Market Commentary July 2015
- Monthly Market Commentary Jun 2015
- Monthly Market Commentary May 2015
- Monthly Market Commentary Apr 2015
- Monthly Market Commentary Mar 2015
- Monthly Market Commentary Feb 2015
- Monthly Market Commentary Jan 2015
- Monthly Market Commentary Dec 2014
- Monthly Market Commentary Nov 2014
- Monthly Market Commentary Oct 2014
- Monthly Market Commentary Sep 2014
- Monthly Market Commentary Jul 2014
- Monthly Market Commentary Jun 2014
- Monthly Market Commentary May 2014
- Monthly Market Commentary Apr 2014
- Monthly Market Commentary Mar 2014
- Monthly Market Commentary Feb 2014
- Monthly Market Commentary Jan 2014
- Monthly Market Commentary Dec 2013
- Monthly Market Commentary Nov 2013
- Monthly Market Commentary Oct 2013
- Monthly Market Commentary Sep 2013
- Monthly Market Commentary July 2013
- Monthly Market Commentary June 2013
- Monthly Market Commentary May 2013
- Monthly Market Commentary Apr 2013
- Monthly Market Commentary Mar 2013
- Monthly Market Commentary Feb 2013
- Monthly Market Commentary Jan 2013
- Monthly Market Commentary Dec 2012
- Monthly Market Commentary Nov 2012
- Monthly Market Commentary Oct 2012
- Monthly Market Commentary Sep 2012
- Monthly Market Commentary Aug 2012
- Monthly Market Commentary Jul 2012
- Monthly Market Commentary Jun 2012
- Monthly Market Commentary May 2012
- Monthly Market Commentary Apr 2012
- Monthly Market Commentary Mar 2012
- Monthly Market Commentary Dec 2011
- Monthly Market Commentary Nov 2011
- Monthly Market Commentary Oct 2011
- Monthly Market Commentary Sep 2011
- Monthly Market Commentary Aug 2011
- Monthly Market Commentary Jul 2011
- Monthly Market Commentary Jun 2011
- Monthly Market Commentary May 2011
- Monthly Market Commentary Apr 2011
- Monthly Market Commentary Mar 2011
- Monthly Market Commentary Feb 2011
- Monthly Market Commentary Jan 2011
- COMPASS Capital Market Update Mar 2015
- Market Rally Endures Sep 2014
- Economic Outlook for 2014 Jan 2014
- Crisis Averted...for Now Oct 2013
- Here We Go Again!? Sep 2013
- A Bond Bubble? May 2013
- What’s Next for the Stock Market? Apr 2013
- Politics and Stocks Oct 2012
- COMPASS Economic and Market Update Jan 2011
- Hurricanes Katrina and Rita: Their Impact on the Economy and Bonds 2005
- The Light at the End of the Tunnel Spring 2003
- Is the Glass Half Full or Half Empty Fall 2002
Real Estate
- Aging Millennials Should Drive Up Single-Family Home Sales Sep 2015
- Downsizing Your Residence May 2012
- Home Price Growth Returning to a More Sustainable Rate Feb 2015
- Housing Bubble Fact Or Fiction Fall 2005
- Investing in Real Estate Jun 2014
- Is the Housing Recovery Stalling Oct 2013
- Reduce Your Mortgage Payment Sep 2014
- Reverse Mortgages for Seniors Mar 2011
- Shopping Center Sales Fall as E-Commerce Grows Aug 2014
- The Homestead Exemption Spring 2010
- Views On Retirement Communities Fall 2016
- Where Will You Live After You Retire? Winter 2017
Retirement Planning
- 20 Questions On Required Minimum Distributions Summer 2016
- Are Your Beneficiary Designations Current Winter 2004
- Bittersweet Jun 2011
- Bleak Picture Aug 2011
- Borrowing from Your Retirement Aug 2012
- Concerned About Longevity Feb 2015
- Don't Forget to Raise Your IRA Contribution Dec 2011
- Employer-Sponsored Retirement Contribution Limits Jan 2012
- Four Retirement Portfolio Withdrawal Mistakes to Avoid Sep 2015
- Get a Tax-Smart Plan for In-Retirement Withdrawals Nov 2014
- How Much Do You Need For Retirement Spring 2007
- Making up for Retirement Shortfalls May 2013
- Man in the Mirror Mar 2012
- Morningstar Research Examines Retirement Costs Aug 2014
- Optimizing A Retirement Portfolio For Taxation Winter 2016
- Poverty Trends in Retirement Nov 2012
- Quick Facts Retirement Apr 2014
- Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) Tips and Traps Jul 2013
- Retirement Contribution Limits for the New Year Jan 2012
- Retirement Contribution Limits for the New Year Jan 2013
- Retirement Contribution Limits Increase for 2015 Nov 2014
- Retirement Contribution Limits Unchanged for the New Year Dec 2013
- Retirement Distribution Pitfalls Apr 2015
- Retirement Distribution Pitfalls May 2015
- Retirement Distribution Pitfalls Dec 2014
- Retirement Distribution Pitfalls Nov 2014
- Retirement Income Sources Nov 2011
- Retirement: The Next Generation Jun 2012
- Saving for Retirement Nov 2010
- Saving For Retirement Versus College Fall 2007
- So You’re Ready for Retirement? Aug 2013
- Spending in Retirement Dec 2012
- Stretching an IRA Aug 2011
- Success Factors for Retirement Aug 2015
- Tax-Friendly States for Retirees Feb 2012
- The Cost of Taking a Cash Distribution Feb 2014
- The Great Conversion Opportunity Fall 2009
- The Impending Retirement Crisis May 2015
- What To Know About Social Security Winter 2016
- What’s the Number? Feb 2013
- Why Would You Take Your RMDs Sooner? Fall 2016
- Women Save More For Retirement Than Men Spring 2016
- Working toward Retirement Oct 2014
Social Security
- Social Insecurity Jun 2011
- Social Security Beneficiaries Get a Raise Oct 2011
- When To Begin Collecting Social Security Benefits Fall 2007
Taxes
- 16 Of The Best Tax Moves For The Summer of 2016
- 16 Tax-Saving Moves To Make At The End Of '16 Fall 2016
- 20 Questions On Required Minimum Distributions Summer 2016
- 7 Tax Breaks Set To Last Forever Spring 2016
- 7 Top Tax Ideas To Use In A Declining Market Winter 2016
- Be Aware Of Your Tax Surroundings Winter 2016
- Fiscal Cliff Decision Reached Jan 2013
- Get a Tax-Smart Plan for In-Retirement Withdrawals Nov 2014
- Major Components of New Tax Law Mar 2011
- Mutual Fund Tax Bills Are Rising May 2014
- Optimizing A Retirement Portfolio For Taxation Winter 2016
- Seven Key Components Of Trump's Tax Reform Plan Winter 2017
- Tax Tribulations 2011
- Tax-Friendly States for Retirees Feb 2012
- The Cost of Taking a Cash Distribution Feb 2014
- The Dirty Dozen Tax Scams of 2015 Mar 2015
- The Fiscal Cliff Jun 2012
- The Tax Code and U.S. Competitiveness Jun 2012
- Tips for Preparing Your Taxes Mar 2014
- What Investors Can Learn From Their Tax Returns Mar 2013
- What the New Tax Law Means for You Mar 2013
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