Here you will find the thinking of our people, special articles of interest and news of our firm.
News & Views
Why an Investment Strategy Is ImportantIt’s not all that often that people go into investment with the bigger picture in mind. Most investors start out small, with one investment at a time, usually because of inexperience and because they are trying to test the waters and experiment as… With my many investments, how do I tell if my resulting portfolio is right for me?by Al Zdenek You are not alone. We see this quite often. Origins. I can guess how your current situation came about: slowly, over time. When you first started investing you may … Don’t Let Fear of Making The Wrong Decision Stop You From Making the Right Plansby Brian Picariello Some people I meet have made very poor financial decisions at one time or another in their lives that have cost them a great deal of money. Frightened at the thought of making more embarrassing and… Al Zdenek quoted in NY Times about commercial real estate investingAl Zdenek is quoted in the March 26, 2013 New York Times article An Investor Adjusts His Ambitions, about commercial real estate investing, noting that Traust Sollus Wealth Management clients appreciate “having an asset class with steady returns,” especially if… An Important Message Concerning “The Sequester”by Albert Zdenek, Jr. We’re baaack!” Debt ceiling crises, downgrade of U.S. debt crisis, extending the Bush tax cuts crisis, trillion dollar budget deficits crisis. . .and now the much ballyhooed, media-driven “Sequester” crisis. Does the rhetoric and campaigning ever… Traust Sollus Shares Experience with Client Focused Innovation at Wealth Management ConferenceTraust Sollus Chief Investment Officer John Silletto spoke as a panelist on the topic Adding Tax and Client Experience Alpha Through UMAs last week at the Fortigent Winter Forum 2013 conference in Miami. How useful is portfolio rebalancing, and how often should I do it? by Brian Picariello February 2013 / March 2013 Issue Some people do it quarterly. Some do it once a year. At my wealth management firm we do neither: We take a different approach for our clients... I cannot bring myself to invest new money in this low-yield, volatile, low-growth environment. Am I being too emotional?by Al Zdenek December 2012 / January 2013 Issue We have had some clients come to us since the 2008 crash expressing worries, similar to yours... Helping Clients Grow And Preserve Wealth Through Customized Portfolio Diversification
Fall 2012 issue Today’s slow growth, low interest rate investing environment has many investors rethinking whether their portfolios are best structured to enable them to achieve and maintain financial independence. This is a concern Al Zdenek, President,… Medical Economics Names Traust Sollus To Its 2012 “Best Financial Advisers for Doctors” List
Traust Sollus is pleased to announce that it has once again been named to the annual "Best Financial Advisors for Doctors" list, published by Medical Economics magazine in its November issue.
How can I “Madoff-proof” my investment portfolio?by Al Zdenek October/November 2012 Issue In the events that led up to the infamous Bernie Madoff scandal, people handed over checks or transferred personal funds... What role should asset allocation play as I make my investment decisions?by Al Zdenek August/September 2012 Issue You know you are supposed to diversify so that you do not have all of your eggs in one basket. Yet not everyone practices this investment rule. Why should I take inventory before moving to our new house?by Brian Picariello June/July 2012 Issue Taking inventory is smart, yet we often put off examining what possessions we have, and what we intend to do with them, now or in the future. How much of my wealth can I afford to give away to family or charity?by Al Zdenek April/May 2012 Issue This is one of the more frequent questions we get asked by new clients. Many know they can afford to make significant charitable contributions and gift money to loved ones. I am interested in master limited partnerships. What should I consider before investing?by Al Zdenek February/March 2012 Issue We live in a low interest rate world and are likely to do so for some time. This has taken a significant toll on the income-generating segments of investors’ portfolios. I want to assure I maximize my gift tax exemption. What is the story for 2012?by Al Zdenek December 2011/January 2012 Issue Before 2011, tax law allowed you and your spouse each a $3.5 million exemption from federal estate taxes and a $1 million exemption from gift taxes. In December 2010, Congress passed legislation providing $5 million federal estate tax exemptions for both you and your spouse and increasing the gift tax exemption to $5 million each. This law is set to expire at the end of 2012. Medical Economics Names Traust Sollus To Its 2011 “Best Financial Advisers for Doctors” List
Medical Economics Names Traust Sollus To Its 2011 "Best Financial Advisers for Doctors" List
Traust Sollus is pleased to announce that it has once again been named to the annual "Best Financial Advisors for Doctors" list, published by Medical Economics magazine in its November 10 issue. The magazine named two Traust Sollus wealth advisors as "Best Financial Advisers for Doctors": CEO Al Zdenek of the Traust Sollus New York City office and Vice President Brian Picariello of the Princeton, NJ office. How do I manage my planning, and my advisors, when buying a business using my personal assets?
by Al Zdenek, Traust Sollus
October/November 2011 Issue Begin by assembling a championship team of experts whose guidance and support you want to tap: your wealth advisor for your financial planning and investing, accountant for tax work and attorney for the purchase agreement and possible estate planning-related work. There is a logical order in which you will want to consult your team. Here is how I see it. What type of commodities investing is right for me?
by Al Zdenek, Traust Sollus
August/September 2011 Issue You’re right in recognizing that there are different ways to go about investing in hard asset commodities such as Energy, Metals, Agriculture, Livestock and Meat, and in Currencies, which sometimes are considered a commodity. I just received a multi-million dollar inheritance. What should be on my financial, tax, investment and estate planning To Do list?
by Al Zdenek, Traust Sollus
June/July 2011 Issue There can be both emotional and practical challenges you will face should you receive an inheritance. You will feel sadness at the death of a beloved one; or guilt that someone’s death has enriched you. At the same time there can be feelings of excitement or uncertainty, particularly when a life changing sum is involved. An inheritance brings big questions: What are the implications of this inheritance on my life today? How should I plan for the future? Planning For People With Chronic Illness
Published May 9, 2011
Traust Sollus Wealth Management of Princeton recently held a free luncheon and seminar on estate and financial planning for loved ones living with a chronic illness. West Windsor Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh attended the event and presented a proclamation declaring it "Chronic Illness Awareness and Education Day." My loved one now has a chronic illness. I’m tasked with the rethink of financial and estate planning. What should be on our To Do list?
Traust Sollus
April/May 2011 Issue You are not alone. Chronic illness affects 125 million Americans and 22% are living with more than one chronic illness. There are many issues that your loved one and you need to address. Putting in the time and effort now and paying attention to detail can alleviate many of the problems families face when dealing with this challenge. Seek out wealth advisors who have the expertise to help you carry out a wealth management reassessment and any needed restructuring. Four key areas need to be reviewed and addressed. Here’s a starting point for your To Do list. The Difference Between Three and Four is One Great Financial Future
by Brian Picariello, Traust Sollus
March 2011 You have chosen to open your own practice because you know that running a business of your own is the way to build your personal fortune. You are prepared to put in the time and take the business risks, because you know the rewards will come. Estate Planning For Chronically Ill Loved Ones
Princeton’s Business & Entertainment Newspaper
published MARCH 23, 2011 www.princetoninfo.com by Michele Alperin, Princeton’s Business & Entertainment Newspaper Before Marty Shenkman’s wife was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis six years ago he was as clueless as most financial advisors and estate planners are about how best to serve the 120 million Americans living with some form of chronic illness. “I was really taken aback that there was nothing in the professional literature on estate planning about what I should do to help her,” says Shenkman. “My personal mission is to correct that flaw.” Am I really diversified? I know, ‘don’t put all your eggs in one basket,’ but what else do experts know that I do not?
by Brian Picariello, Traust Sollus
February/March 2011 Issue Optimal diversification is like a Goldilocks challenge. You do not want to be too under- or over-diversified. Without enough diversification you could find your portfolio exposed to more risk than you intended or can afford. Over-diversification could make it difficult to achieve the returns needed to build or maintain your wealth. Here are some points to consider. I am asset rich, but currently cash poor. I want to buy a small business and… What are my options?
by Al Zdenek, Traust Sollus
December 2010/January 2011 Issue BUYING THAT BUSINESS When it comes to buying a business, several options are available: 1. See if you can get the financing from the seller. Especially today, with less bank financing available, this is a great alternative. Traust Sollus Joins The Princeton NJ Regional Chamber of Commerce
In December 2010, Traust Sollus president Guy McPhail and vice president Brian Picariello joined the Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber serves Mercer, Middlesex, and Somerset Counties of New Jersey.
Zdenek Financial Planning Rebrands And RelocatesNEW YORK, NY (July 14, 2010) — Zdenek Financial Planning, LLC founder and CEO Albert J. Zdenek Jr. today announced the firm has renamed itself Traust Sollus Wealth Management. Also announced was the relocation of the firm’s New Jersey office… Financial management: your second full-time job
By Brian Picariello, Traust Sollus
September 2010 Doctors who are new, who work at a hospital or are employed by a practice, also need to look ahead at the fast-approaching future. |
3 Key Steps for Financial Success: Part 3
Wealth Building Tips For Entrepreneurs & Individuals
May 2010 How close am I to financial independence and what should my action plan be for getting there? These are two common questions I’m asked by new clients at my wealth management firm. When you lack a road map for implementing your plan, you can’t answer either question. 3 Key Steps for Financial Success: Part 2
Wealth Building Tips For Entrepreneurs & Individuals
March 2010 Last month we talked about taking action to set goals and determine the numbers needed to achieve them. Next comes creating a written financial plan. 3 Key Steps for Financial Success: Part 1
Wealth Building Tips For Entrepreneurs & Individuals
February 2010 There are two types of wealth building obstacles that prevent people from successfully managing and growing their personal finances: emotional obstacles and practical obstacles. Help Desk: How to Improve Cash FlowFootwear NewsHow to Improve Cash FlowZdenek Financial Planning, offers tips to small business owners. Grow Your Cash Stash by Managing Cash Flow Zdenek Financial Planning, offers tips to small business owners. Help Desk: 2009 Tax TipsFootwear NewsHelp Desk: 2009 Tax TipsZdenek Financial Planning, offers tips to small business owners. Key Considerations Regarding Money Purchase and Profit Sharing Plans
FEBRUARY 2008
Today, more than 60 percent of small business owners don’t offer any retirement plan for their employees and 47 percent are unsure about how they plan to handle their own retirement, according to a survey by Harris Interactive for ShareBuilder, an online brokerage company. Year-End Investment Strategies
DECEMBER 2007
Year-End Investment Strategies Balancing your portfolio and taking advantage of tax-reduction strategies can pay off. While 2008 is just around the corner you still have time to look for tax-saving opportunities before year-end. Today, let’s look at tax loss harvesting from the taxable portion of your investment portfolio. Retirement Plan Options For The Self-Employed: Solo 401(k)s vs. SEPs
NOVEMBER 2007
Experts estimate that Americans will need 60 to 80 percent of their pre-retirement income to maintain their current standard of living when they stop working. If you are the sole owner of a small business, pension plans are a great way to build wealth to ensure that you can retire comfortably. They are also great tax-saving tools that can benefit your business today. Could Your 401(k) Be Short-Changing You Of Retirement Savings Opportunities?
OCTOBER 2007
Retirement may seem like a distant dream, but that doesn’t mean that planning can wait. In fact, a recent Hartford Business Owner’s survey found that 73 percent of entrepreneurs worry about having enough money to fund their retirement and most wish they had more time for personal financial planning. Defined Benefit Plans Offer Numerous Perks
SEPTEMBER 2007
Most small business owners would like to reward steadfast employees by offering a retirement plan as a benefit. And, of course, they are interested in socking away money to fund their own future financial independence. While defined contribution plans such as profit sharing, SEP IRAs and 401Ks have captured the spotlight in recent years, an alternative — the defined benefit plan — should not be overlooked. Improving Your Cash Flow
August 2007
Cash flow is essentially the movement of money in and out of your business. Cash inflow generally comes for the sale of goods or services to your customers (or patients, if you’re a doctor). Cash outflow is generally the result of paying the operating expenses of a business, including salaries. Planning For Profit
JULY 2007
If you are like many small business owners you find that some years are profitable and others are profitless. Have you been able to determine the reason for the disparity between profit and loss? How Much Apartment Can You Afford
New York Resident
June 2007 The issue's cover feature, "How Much Apartment Can You Afford?", leads off quoting Al Zdenek : How to Add An Equity Partner, Part II
March 2007
In the first installment of this two-part series, Financial Advisor Guy McPhail laid out the reasons for bringing in a new equity partner or putting employees on a path to equity participation. In the second installment, he provides a step-by-step guideline on how to do this correctly. How to Add An Equity Partner
FEBRUARY 2007
This is Part One of a Two-Part Series. In the next edition of Small Business Review, Guy McPhail will spell out the essential steps for creating an equity partnership. Take Advantage of a Vanishing Tax Break
JANUARY 2007
Happy New Year! While December has passed and it’s too late to alter your business investment decisions for 2006, you can still take advantage of tax breaks on 2006 business investments and make plans for doing so in 2007 Smart Cash Flow Management Can Make You Rich
DECEMBER 2006
As a small business owner, you know that the most precious commodity you can get your hands on is Free Cash Flow. That’s the money a company has left over after it has paid all of its operating costs and other expenses. Smart business owners reinvest some or all of this money to generate long-term growth for their companies. Four Steps to map out Financial Success
November 2006
In order to build your personal wealth through your business you need the structure of a financial plan for yourself as an individual and you need one for your business. Usually, what gets in the way are what I call practical obstacles. Tax Time Is All About Saving Money
by Al Zdenek
April 2005 For the past two issues, we’ve detailed tips on filing your taxes. Here are four tax-saving tips regarding your portfolio. Income Tax Planning: Get In Control
By Al Zdenek
January/February 2005 With April just around the corner, there are a few steps you can take now that may help you minimize your taxes, make the tax preparation process more organized and avoid surprises. First does any of this sound familiar? Get The Most From This Year’s Tax Breaks
February 6, 2004
How to Avoid Cracking the Retirement Nest Egg
August 17, 2003
The story featured a client of Zdenek Financial Planning and the smart actions taken with her investment portfolio that helped her preserve her wealth during the last bear market. |
