Investing

Asset allocation, investing, asset location

A photorealistic, wide-angle cinematic photograph of a serene couple in their early sixties bundled together in a blanket on a cozy, covered wooden porch. They are holding steaming mugs of coffee, appearing calm and contented under the soft, warm light of a hanging lantern, creating a distinct sense of safety and refuge. Beyond the rustic porch railing, a dramatic and turbulent storm rages over a rugged coastal landscape under dark, roiling clouds. Wind-bent trees sway violently near the shoreline, grey waves crash on the choppy water, and distant rain fills the atmospheric background, presenting a sharp contrast between the peaceful foreground sanctuary and the chaotic, dangerous environment outside. The image uses a muted earthy color palette, emphasizing the contrast in lighting and weather, and contains absolutely no text or lettering.

Should You Build a Bond Ladder for Retirement Income?

Two people retired the same month in 2007. One spent 2008 selling stocks at a loss to pay the bills. The other barely flinched. The difference wasn't better investments. It was a bond ladder. Here's how a ladder funds your near-term spending, defends against sequence-of-returns risk, and gives you the nerve to leave your stocks alone in a downturn, plus the trade-offs to weigh before you build one.

Marcel Miu, CFA, CFP®

Jul 2612 min read

Asset Location Strategy: How the Right Accounts Can Build More Wealth

Where you hold your investments matters just as much as what you buy. Discover how placing assets in the right accounts can reduce your tax drag and help increase your long-term wealth without taking on more market risk.

Marcel Miu, CFA, CFP®

Jun 199 min read

A person's finger pressing a heavy-duty mechanical reset button sitting on top of a stack of IRS tax forms. The key insight is that early retirees can "reset" their investment cost basis by intentionally harvesting capital gains during low-income years, legally eliminating future federal tax liabilities on embedded growth.

How to Harvest Capital Gains in the 0% Tax Bracket During Retirement

Are you leaving free money on the table in retirement? Tax-gain harvesting lets retirees with low taxable income sell appreciated investments and pay zero federal capital gains tax. Because wash sale rules apply only to losses, you can buy back the exact same asset minutes later. This resets your cost basis higher and saves money on future taxes. Learn how to navigate the tax brackets, handle Roth conversion tradeoffs, and avoid common state tax traps.

Marcel Miu, CFA, CFP®

Apr 238 min read

A chained leather wallet with a glowing red percentage lock, as a shadowy hand pulls away a stack of cash. This represents the "tax friction" tech professionals face when RSU blackout periods force delayed sales, resulting in high short-term capital gains taxes that drain wealth accumulation.A chained leather wallet with a glowing red percentage lock, as a shadowy hand pulls away a stack of cash. This represents the "tax friction" tech professionals face when RSU blackout periods force delayed sales, resulting in high short-term capital gains taxes that drain wealth accumulation.

The Hidden Tax Drag On Your RSUs and How Direct Indexing Could Help Fix It

Selling RSU shares? Blackout periods often force short-term gains taxed at high rates. Learn how direct indexing systematically harvests losses to potentially neutralize this tax friction and boost your after-tax returns. Stop the hidden tax drag.

Marcel Miu, CFA, CFP®

Oct 28, 20258 min read