Read the 1Q 2026 Management Letter, "The Signal and the Noise".

 

Read the most recent blog post "How Target Date Funds May Be the Way".


 

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Investment Management

West Financial Services is an independent registered investment advisor (RIA). Independence gives us freedom from constraints that hamper other firms.
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Financial Planning

When it comes to financial planning, implementation is key. We collaborate with specialists and experts, including insurance providers, attorneys and accountants, to make sure that your financial team is coordinated toward implementation of recommendations.
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Blogs

Same Shock, Different World: Oil Prices Then and Now

Alan R. Menase, CFP® |
Categories
Lifestyle
Before the oil embargo in the early 1970s, the oil market had stable, low prices. Oil was plentiful and cheap, with little worry about supply or price swings. This changed dramatically in the 1970s, with a period marked by long gas lines and widespread rationing. Macrotrends.net 1 reports that in April 1973, crude oil was $3.56 a barrel, soaring to $32.50 in January 1980 ($139.12 adjusted for inflation). Earlier this year, the outbreak of war...

How Target Date Funds May Be the Way

Kristan Anderson, CEBS®, CFP® |
Categories
Personal Financial Planning
Investments
Retirement Planning
I’ve noticed a curious shift over the past few years in which more clients are coming in for planning with portfolios consisting entirely of target date funds or indexing. Since I was around when target date funds were introduced, seeing them in such a position of prominence in portfolios is jarring, especially given some of the dollar amounts involved. Also, I remember during the dot com bust when overly aggressive equity allocations in certain target...

Financial Advice I Would Give to My 20-Something Self

Matt Cohen, CFP®, CIMA® |
Categories
Lifestyle
Estate Planning
Personal Financial Planning
I recently celebrated a milestone birthday – though not one that would normally be seen as such. At age 44, I am the same number of years removed from being legally able to enjoy a beer as the number of years until I can enjoy full retirement benefits from social security. Age 44 seems about as “middle age” as any, and it got me thinking about my life and career, and the decisions I have...

News & Insights

Something Old, New, Borrowed, Blue and….

Laurie Kramer, CFP® and Kristan Anderson, CEBS®, CFP® |
Categories
Financial Planning Focus

… a prenuptial agreement. Traditions are fun and meaningful, but a prenuptial could prove a great catalyst for a good marriage. Prenuptial agreements have often been labeled as an implication of distrust or premeditation of divorce. But consider this: Do you have homeowners’ insurance because you are planning to set fire to your home? I certainly hope not. Do you have auto insurance because you are planning on wrecking your car? Of course not.

Is a Trump Account Right for Your Child?

Victoria G. Henry, CFP® |
Categories
Financial Planning Focus

You might have noticed that the Trump name is getting plastered on quite a few things lately. If you have young children, one that might be of interest is the Trump Account. Trump Accounts were established under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) and are essentially starter retirement accounts for kids. While more details regarding logistics and funding of the Trump Accounts are anticipated, here’s what we know.

From Fear to Freedom: Mastering Your Finances in Retirement

Laura Nash, CFP® |
Categories
Financial Planning Focus

Too many people are fearful of retiring. Yes, there are many who are counting down the days and are excited about their list of things they want to do and see. Yet there are still others who aren’t sure about how they will spend their time, what their purpose is now that they are no longer working, and whether their money will last.