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Resource Library
Last Updated:
1/20/06
Welcome to our Resources section! We invite you to browse The
Monitor Group's articles listed below. For more information on any
of these topics, please
contact us.
▫▫Investing
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Risk Management ▫▫
Retirement Planning
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Estate Planning ▫▫
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General Financial Planning
Principles
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Financial Planning Industry ▫▫
Original Versions of
Published Articles
Investing
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September 2004
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The Flaw
Of Averages
Making assumptions about your future based upon historical averages
will produce below average results. |
Risk Management
Retirement Planning
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November 2005 |
Battle of the Supermodels
Which model should you follow to best plan your retirement: Paris Hilton or
stochastic modeling? |
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December 2004 |
Qualified Plans: The Basics
This excerpt from IRS Publication 560 explains the various types of
defined contribution and defined benefit plans, including the contribution
limits for each. |
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November 2004 |
SEP and SIMPLE IRAs
If you are considering implementing one of these plans, there are
some crucial differences to consider. |
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October 2004
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IRA Issues For The Over 70 Crowd
Do you know the limitations that will be imposed upon your
contributions and withdrawals to your traditional IRA once you turn age
70˝? |
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October 2004
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What if You
Inherit An IRA?
Depending upon your relationship to the original IRA holder, you may
have inherited some limitations as well. |
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January 2004
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Stochastic Modeling - The Basics
When it comes to retirement, only stochastic modeling can provide a
realistic analysis of your probability for long-term financial independence. |
Estate Planning
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December 2004
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Double Check Your Beneficiaries
Cal Brown reviews the basics of estate planning and ways to simplify
transfer of assets to the next generation. |
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November 2004
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Gift Taxes - The Basics
Increase your familiarity with the gift tax and the changing limits
planned for the next few years. |
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May 2003
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How to Title Your Property- an Introduction
Different ways of titling your property offer different benefits.
The best approach is to examine the trade-offs, and choose the approach that
works best for your family. |
General Financial Planning
Principles
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June 2005 |
Who's Your Nanny?
It's tough finding a good nanny, and it's also tough finding your way through
the tax code to make sure your arrangement is legal. |
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May 2005 |
Protect Your Children From Your Wealth
A child raised in a household where money is not a concern may suffer from lack
of motivation, underachievement in school, or a sense of entitlement. Be
sure your children inherit your wisdom, not just your money. |
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April 2005 |
Compelled to Sell or Relenting to Rent?
If you have recently purchased a new home and are wondering what to
do with your previous residence, check out our summary of the financial, tax,
and personal issues. |
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March 2005 |
"Mortgage Maxing" - A
Conflict of Interest
Many so-called "financial advisors" say you should not pay off or
pay down your mortgage when cash becomes available to do so. Who really
wins when a client follows this recommendation? |
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November 2004
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Tax Tidbits
A brief explanation of history, bizarre laws, and some instances in
which
Americans have said "no" to taxes. |
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October 2004
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Standards for Charitable Accountability
Charitable giving is more than sending a check. Consider this
list of standards from the Wise Giving Alliance to ensure you're making sound giving decisions. |
Financial Planning Industry
All of these articles have been published in trade magazines for the
Financial Planning Industry.
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January 2006 |
Passive-Aggressive?
Is the use of both passive and active funds somehow
passive-aggressive? Cal Brown explores the rationale of using both
passive and active funds in constructing a sound portfolio. |
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February 2005 |
The AMT:
Pitfalls and Solutions*
Cal Brown provides fellow financial planning professionals with a
practical treatise of the Alternative Minimum Tax. The growing
scope of the AMT - originally created to target the wealthiest of
taxpayers - is raising concern within the industry as it is now most
often levied against those with annual incomes between $150,000 and
$500,000. |
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October 2003 |
Financial Planners who recommend naming a trust as beneficiary of a
qualified retirement plan or IRA are telling clients to cross a
minefield. |
*The
above articles were published in the Journal of Financial Planning. All
links to these articles will open a new browser window.
Original Versions
of Published Articles
All of the articles in this section are the author's original version of
edited articles that appear in trade magazines for the Financial
Planning Industry.
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November 2005 |
From May to December
For any business to succeed in the long term, a strong strategic
plan is needed. Glenn Kautt explains how he developed such a plan. |
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July 2005 |
Don't Be a
"Model T" Firm!
Glenn Kautt explores the life of Henry Ford’s famed Model T, and
applies lessons learned to the business model of a financial
planning firm. |
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May 2005 |
So, What Are You Worth?
How do you value your firm and your contributions to it? Glenn Kautt
analyzes the most accurate ways to answer these questions. |
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March 2005 |
The business environment for financial firms is changing due to an
impending “margin squeeze.” In order to survive the squeeze, firms
will have to adapt and grow. |
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