Blog

Life in today’s America commonly finds families strewn across states and even scattered from one end of the continent to the other. With so many families now separated by hundreds and often thousands of miles, it may be extremely...

Nation of Envy

Ivan L. Hendricks

Thursday, April 6, 2023

When Moses was given the ten commandments on Mount Sinai many years ago, he came down to the people he led, his beloved Israel, and saw them betraying God in pagan worship of a golden calf—something they made. When I was...

Ergonomics is the science of fitting job tasks, equipment, tools, and the work environment to workers’ needs. By creating a more ergonomic work environment, businesses can not only reduce the chances that an employee will be...

Groundhog Day

Ivan L. Hendricks

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

Happy Spring Candor Family!I love the Bill Murray/Andie MacDowell movie that immortalized the idea that a Groundhog Day is synonymous with a repetitive cycle that you can’t break away from. This year, Punxsutawney Phil’s...

We work our entire lives and, in the process, we want to make sure that we have planned accordingly for when it is time to retire. Researching the different options out there it can seem overwhelming, trying to figure out which one...

You've worked long and hard for years, saving diligently through your employer-sponsored retirement savings plan. Now, with retirement on the horizon, it's time to begin thinking about how to tap your plan assets for income. But hold...

Living trusts enable you to control the distribution of your estate, and certain trusts may enable you to reduce or avoid many of the taxes and fees that will be imposed upon your death.A trust is a legal arrangement under which one...

You will need to think about the disposition of your assets at your death and any tax implications.Statistically speaking, women live longer than men. So if you are married, you'll also probably have the last word about the final...

We all know men and women are different in some fundamental ways. But is this true when it comes to financial planning? In a word, yes.Everyone wants financial security. But women often face unique obstacles that can affect their...

Long-term bonds generally provide higher yields than short-term bonds, because investors demand higher returns to compensate for the risk of lending money over a longer period. Occasionally, however, this relationship flips, and...

Getting married may mean not only having a partner in life but having a partner on the journey toward your financial goals. But because financial compatibility may be a key to a lasting marriage, it's important to have some deep (and...

Here's What to Consider If you're thinking about working in retirement, you must consider a few things before making your decision. As you get older, the question of when to collect Social Security retirement benefits and how your...

True Love

Ivan L. Hendricks

Friday, February 3, 2023

February is finally here and in just a couple of weeks loved ones will be demonstrating their devotion to one another with roses, cards, jewelry, balloons, and lots of chocolate. This day was originally a celebration of the Roman Saint

What is the spending plan?Your spending plan is essentially your budget. By using a more positive name, you can escape the feeling of restriction that often accompanies the term budget. Your spending plan is a tool to help you achieve...

Let's Get Real

Ivan L. Hendricks

Friday, January 27, 2023

Hello Candor Family! Not long ago I was watching a documentary about Washington’s red-tail chipmunks. Those little tree-rodents are deceptively cute. As I watched, one industrious chipmunk (we’ll call him Theo)

While you never know your needs as you age, the first step is thinking about your financial situation and health today so you can plan for your later years. With a one in four chance of making it to our 90th birthday, being independent...

If you are someone who makes New Year's financial resolutions and often doesn't keep them, behavioral economics can help. Behavioral economics studies psychology as it relates to economic decision-making. Ideally, people would make the...

Getting Started

Ivan L. Hendricks

Friday, January 13, 2023

Hello Candor Family! I hope all of you are refreshed and renewed from the holiday season.  If you are like me, it takes a week or so to get back into the routine after the welcome distractions of December. 

...for a Heart-to-Heart Couple’s Talk About Retirement PlanningRetirement planning may not be your idea of an exciting date night. However, retirement strategies and goals are so varied that couples in committed relationships...

Results in the 12th and 1st months are just as important as the other 10The January EffectThe January Effect was first noticed by investment banker Sidney Wachtel in 1942 and the theory proposes that a pattern existed in the price of...

New Year’s resolutions tend to come with a lot of hype, but sometimes little return. Our lives get busier, and the promises we made to ourselves at the beginning of the year can lose their luster. But putting that energy into...

Interesting Year, Wasn't It?

Ivan L. Hendricks

Friday, December 23, 2022

Good investments are like good friends.  They may not all be strong at the same time, but if they are strong individually, they should be stronger together. 

It's nice to own stocks, bonds, and other investments. Nice, that is, until it's time to fill out your federal income tax return. At that point, you may be left scratching your head. Just how do you report your investments and how are...

The loss of a spouse can be a devastating, life-changing event. Due to longer life expectancies, women are more likely to face this situation.Becoming a widow at any age can be one of the most difficult challenges a woman must face....

(Not So) Black Friday

Ivan L. Hendricks

Friday, December 9, 2022

Black Friday, for many stores and retailers, is an annual sales bookend.  But it hasn’t always been that way. The earliest origin of the term “Black Friday” was from 1951’s journal Factory Management and Maintenance...

Knowing your risk tolerance and having a written investment strategy helpsWhen managing personal finances and investments, people frequently exhibit irrational behavior for different reasons. If you’re one of these folks, be fair...

Stocks are Like Trees

Ivan L. Hendricks

Friday, December 2, 2022

Stocks Are Like Trees They provide shelter and nourishment for us and our children, if we take care of them. Their growth is slow, and sometimes imperceivable, but given enough time they may grow strong. 

What are year-end investment decisions?Year-end investment decisions may sometimes result in substantial tax savings. Tax planning may allow you to control the timing and method by which you report your income and claim your deductions...

Preparing for Winter

Ivan L. Hendricks

Friday, November 25, 2022

Leading economic indicators have recently pointed to a stark reality--the cycle is about to repeat itself. Our own stock markets are some of the earliest indicators of recession, and they have been alerting us for most of 2022.

The fourth quarter holidays are often seen as one of the prime times to take out your checkbook — not only do many charities put in extra efforts helping others this time of year, but donating is also a smart financial move....

Little Bit of Everything

Ivan L. Hendricks

Friday, November 18, 2022

Next week Americans will celebrate a holiday truly bespoke to our heritage, dating back to 17th century New England. Times have surely changed us from our monochrome-dressed ancestors.  Life is good, and the food is better.

5 Steps to Consider Before Retirement  Whether you're hoping to retire soon or are just beginning to explore the idea of stepping back from your job, you're probably wondering how to make it happen. Will you have enough money? How...

Building a budget is a great way to get a handle on your finances and spending habits. It allows you to track where your income goes each month, helping you to cut back where you need to or reallocate portions of your income to...

From fluctuating gas prices to market volatility to inflation fears, it may be tough to tune out the noise when trying to gauge how your investments perform. And if you are like most investors, you try to resist the temptation to do...

Unmasking October

Ivan L. Hendricks

Thursday, October 27, 2022

I hope you are well-stocked on candy for trick-or-treaters. This Fall has blessed us with beautiful weather in Louisiana and Arkansas. The leaves are holding fast to their stems, displaying their rustic chroma, and awaiting their windy...

End of Year Outlook

Ivan L. Hendricks

Friday, October 21, 2022

Malcolm Forbes, the second-generation owner of Forbes Magazine, once said “As you get older, don’t slow down.  Speed up.  There’s less time left!”   I think of when I used to run and I would feel an obligation to run faster as I neared...

There are five estate planning documents you may need, regardless of your age, health, or wealth:Durable power of attorneyAdvance medical directivesWillLetter of instructionLiving trustThe last document, a living trust, isn't always...

If you're considering giving back to society or a cause as part of your financial planning, there are many ways you can do so. You can make an impact while receiving tax benefits by including philanthropic giving as part of a holistic...

Market Insight w/ Ivan

Ivan L. Hendricks

Friday, October 7, 2022

I’m not saying things are rosy.  Volatility is high for a reason, and I firmly believe that until inflation is under control markets will not regain stable footing.  The current environment is one of dislocated global markets, scarcity...

It has been a tough year for the market. The S&P 500 index so far in 2022 has taken somewhat of a nosedive, at one point dropping 20.6 percent, the NASDAQ dropping nearly 30 percent[i], and as a nation, we have experienced massive...

Market Insight w/ Ivan

Ivan L. Hendricks

Friday, September 30, 2022

"If we simply absorb current sources without recalling history, we can be swept into the “current” of popular thought."

Making decisions about your retirement account can seem overwhelming, especially if you feel unsure about your knowledge of investments. However, the following basic rules can help you make smarter choices regardless of whether you...