Blog

We are excited to introduce Client Operations Coordinator Nina Falci as a new member of the Washington Wealth Advisors service team. Her responsibilities are both client service and operations related to ensure an overall exceptional client experience.  

By Maura Schauss, CFP® 

Riding the highs, and experiencing the lows, it is the way of the investment market. However, what if we told you that the key to sound and quality investing is learning how to keep it cool when the market is in turmoil? Yes, this includes our markets today, where Coronavirus has caused a shocking amount of volatility. Let’s look at some of the tools that can help you manage your emotions and expectations during market uncertainty.

By Todd I. Youngdahl, CFP®

Kids are smart. Depending on the age of your children, they may not know or understand exactly what is going on right now, but they are looking to you for guidance and assurance.

By Todd Youngdahl, CFP® and Maura Schauss, CFP®​ 

Many investors, especially those currently seeing major losses due to COVID-19’s impact on the markets, have developed a low tolerance for volatility. As a result, they have moved a significant portion of their investments into bonds or other fixed yield vehicles. What many investors may not realize is that large changes from one asset class to another in order to avoid volatility, can actually increase it. Secondly, for investors with a long-term perspective on their investments, volatility is actually a good thing, as it is the primary driver behind the sustained market gains over the last century.

By Maura C. Schauss, CFP®

By Maura Schauss, CFP®​ and Todd Youngdahl, CFP®

As global markets continue their roller coaster ride due to fears surrounding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), our most recent bull market officially turned into a bear market. But what does that mean? And are we on the verge of another recession like the one we had in 2008?

In light of all these concerns, today we’ll share what you need to know about recessions and bear markets. If you are worried about your portfolio, we understand and are here to help. Feel free to contact our office to get answers to your specific questions.

By Maura C. Schauss, CFP®

There are 135 different certifications for financial advisors, and most of them begin with the letter “C”: CFPs, ChFCs, CPAs, CLUs, CFSs, and the list goes on. With an alphabet soup of certifications, how do you find a financial professional who’s right for you?

According to a recent survey, most high-income households want their advisors to have these qualifications:[1]

• 85% find it “very important” or “extremely important” for their advisor to have successfully completed a certification examination.

• 95% believe their advisor should adhere to professional practice standards.

• 97% say it’s extremely important for their advisor to adhere to a professional code of ethics.

That’s a tall order. But—believe it or not—it’s not impossible to find an advisor who meets these qualifications. In fact, certified financial planners (CFP®s) check all these boxes and more.

Read on as we discuss everything you need to know about the importance to you in working with a CFP®.