Articles and Publications

A library of topical publications and articles written by CCM team members specifically for our clients.

Reading the Fine Print — Optimizing Your Employer’s Retirement Plan

Matthew Rich
Matthew Rich, CFP®, J.D.
Integrated Wealth Advisor
Published April 17, 2019

When new office employees are starting a new job, they often go through the same routine. The first few days are spent locating the break room, finding a good parking spot, and orienting to the cultural norms. Then there’s the meeting with human resources—you get a key card, complete payroll deduction paperwork, and review compliance documents. Dental insurance? Extra life insurance? How much should the company take out for 401(k) contributions? Pre-tax or after tax? Most people go with the ... [Continue Reading]

An Update from the Tax Team: Is Mortgage Interest Still Deductible?

Kevin Koski
Kevin Koski, CPA
Principal Tax Advisor
Published April 16, 2019

Among many other changes we’ve highlighted in recent communications, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 changed the rules regarding home mortgage interest tax deductions for tax years 2018-2025. Many CCM clients have had questions about this so we wanted to share some key factors that will determine the deductibility of interest paid on a mortgage loan.  The mortgage must qualify as acquisition debt in order for the interest to be deductible as home mortgage interest. Acquisition debt is ... [Continue Reading]

Looking Back at Ten Years Since the Market Bottom of March 9, 2009

James Michael Yaworski
James Michael Yaworski, CFA
Senior Investment Strategist
Published March 8, 2019

The S&P 500, an index that tracks the performance of large U.S. company stocks, has delivered 9.99% average annual returns since 1926 1 . We know that this terrific performance is compensation to investors for taking on risk, and that returns weren’t achieved in a slow and steady manner. Investors don’t have to look too far back in time to remember the poor performance of the tech bubble in the early 2000s or the financial crisis of 2008. In fact, the 10-year annual return of the S&P ... [Continue Reading]

The Power of Budgeting

Cami Peterson
Cami Peterson, CPA, QPFC
Director of Retirement Plan Services
Published February 28, 2019

As we move quickly along into a new year and embrace the opportunity of fresh starts, we often experience feelings of hope, inspiration, and anticipation. A new year is a natural time to pause and evaluate what has gone well in the past and what we want to improve in the future. We set goals, make resolutions, and envision the future we want to create. Many individuals have goals relating to their finances. For some this may be to save for a large purchase or trip. For others this may be to save ... [Continue Reading]

Be Wary of Headline Investing

James Michael Yaworski
James Michael Yaworski, CFA
Senior Investment Strategist
Published February 12, 2019

On the last day of March in 2018, President Trump raised the issue that the United States Post Office was losing $1.50 on every package it delivered for Amazon. Two days later, he stated “our fully tax paying retailers are closing stores all over the country…not a level playing field.” The insinuation was that, one way or another, Amazon’s shipping costs were about to rise, cutting into profits. On the first day of trading following these comments, Amazon’s stock lost $30 Billion in value, ... [Continue Reading]

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