Blog

How to keep your money safe

What happens if my bank fails? How can I protect my money? Should I switch banks? I’ve been fielding questions like these since the recent failures of technology-focused Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank. Google has too. The search engine’s data reveal that the week the two banks buckled, there was a 43% increase […]

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Why divided government can be good for your portfolio

You’ve likely seen the “gridlock,” “polarization” and “stalemate” headlines to describe what the state of affairs will likely be in Washington, D.C., over the next two years of divided government. As an American, it can feel deflating, no matter which party you ascribe to.

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How to know if you have a solid financial advisor during rocky economic times

Should you have helped your adult child with a down payment on her first home last year? Was buying that nascent cryptocurrency with your bonus the right financial move? Should you have stayed another four years at your well- compensated corporate job or taken early retirement? As inflation continues to surge, interest rates spike and […]

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How to prepare your investment portfolio for a potential recession

As I wrapped another client meeting where we reviewed an investment plan and portfolio, I was heartened to hear the tone of my client’s voice change from apprehensive at the start to more assured at the end. Of course, as anyone who buys groceries and gas and sees news headlines knows, there are multiple reasons […]

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3 questions to ask your investment professional about inflation

Last Saturday night, a client texted me a variation of: “Should I really take this summer vacation?” A well-compensated corporate executive, she was ruminating on how much more everything her family getaway would cost – the hotels, the daily excursions, the wonderful meals – due to rampant inflation.

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An insider’s take on today’s residential real estate market

If you’re looking at buying or selling a home right now, what can you expect in this much-heralded hot residential real estate market? Last week, award-winning real estate expert and RE/MAX Hall of Fame realtor Smita Shah was interviewed by former TV news correspondent Diana Bishop for Van Leeuwen and Company’s client-only “Assets and Aspirations” […]

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Meeting with Prospective Clients Can Be Like a Blind Date

By Kenneth Van Leeuwen, CFP Everyone knows you don’t get a second chance to make a good first impression. That’s one of thereasons why the initial meeting with a potential client is so important for financial advisors. Whenever I sit down with a prospect for the first time, I want to make sure I put […]

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