November Newsletter – A Time For Thanksgiving

(from the desk of John Madson CFP® CRPC®)

I have a small ritual that I go through on a regular basis, which includes my vision for my future and the ways in which I want to improve myself.  It also includes a review of the things in my life that I am grateful for. On my list, immediately following my family, is our business and the fact that I get to spend my time helping people.

It is one of our great joys that we get to work with wonderful people like you, our clients, and that we get to make positive deposits in all of your lives. We’re honored to hold this role and love the time we spend with you.

So in the spirit of the season, on behalf of the team, I’d like to give thanks to all of you.  Here’s wishing you a very happy Thanksgiving.

In Praise of Gratitude

Gratitude has been shown to increase happiness in those who practice it.  Rather than just focusing on it during this time of year, consider incorporating into your daily life. From a Harvard Medical School article, here are some ways to cultivate gratitude on a regular basis.

Write a thank-you note. You can make yourself happier and nurture your relationship with another person by writing a thank-you letter expressing your enjoyment and appreciation of that person’s impact on your life. Send it, or better yet, deliver and read it in person if possible. Make a habit of sending at least one gratitude letter a month. Once in a while, write one to yourself.

Thank someone mentally. No time to write? It may help just to think about someone who has done something nice for you, and mentally thank the individual.

Keep a gratitude journal. Make it a habit to write down or share with a loved one thoughts about the gifts you’ve received each day.

Count your blessings. Pick a time every week to sit down and write about your blessings — reflecting on what went right or what you are grateful for. Sometimes it helps to pick a number — such as three to five things — that you will identify each week. As you write, be specific and think about the sensations you felt when something good happened to you.

Pray. People who are religious can use prayer to cultivate gratitude.

Meditate. Mindfulness meditation involves focusing on the present moment without judgment. Although people often focus on a word or phrase (such as “peace”), it is also possible to focus on what you’re grateful for (the warmth of the sun, a pleasant sound, etc.).

401(k) limits are increasing in 2018

This past month the IRS announced that contribution limits are increasing in 2018 for 401(k), 403(b), and 457(b) plans.  Next year you’ll be able to contribute an extra $500, bringing the contribution limit to $18,500 (plus $6,000 catch-up contributions for people age 55 and older). (source irs.gov notice IRS 2017-64).

Word on the Street

Here’s a few good articles from around the industry.  These viewpoints don’t always agree, but we think they’re worth a read:

This holiday season, stuff your 401(k) as well as your turkey – from Blackrock: A quick article on five key actions to keep your 401(k) (or other retirement plans) on the right track.

We don’t have the necessary ingredients for a bear market  – from Nuveen: In his weekly commentary, Bob Doll discusses the lack of negative news that would signal a coming bear market.

Equity strategy playbook – from Oppenheimer: In their latest playbook, Oppenheimer Funds review some of the key points that lead to their views on opportunities in the market today.  If you’re looking for some data to help inform your investment opinions, there is a lot to find inside the playbook.