Significant questions exist as to who will be held responsible and how problems will be fixed when AI makes a mistake or is provided with confidential and sensitive personal data without adequate firewalls, or if and when it “hallucinates” when people’s financial lives are at stake. As one recent article I read in a financial industry publication said: “we are sort of in the Wild West right now because the process is so new and the regulators have not caught up.”
Read MoreMy wife Mary and I have travelled fairly extensively, and one of the most important things we’ve discover is that advances in technology, remote work, affordable international travel, and global connectivity have made living abroad more attainable than ever before. What was once considered an adventurous leap has become a realistic lifestyle choice for professionals, retirees, entrepreneurs, students, and families alike…
Read MoreGiven the chaotic circumstances under which we are all living, planning, investing, and just trying to lead our lives right now, only a fool or a charlatan would try to convince you that everything is under control and that he or she knows exactly what’s going to happen next. I try very hard never to be either of those…
Read MoreAs our daily lives become increasingly digital, personal cybersecurity is no longer optional—it’s a basic life skill. From banking and shopping to social media and remote work, much of what we do online involves sensitive information. The good news is…
Read MoreIn a world of breathtaking change that some have recently dubbed “poly-crisis”, it’s very tempting to focus all your attention on the urgent anxieties of the day – and they are plentiful. Doing that, however, entails running the risk of losing sight of critical long-term guideposts. In my experience, such guideposts can mark the difference between success and failure, so deliberately pausing to affirm their value is priceless. In my view, it’s key to leading a principled life of consequence…
Read MoreHere’s one from the archives! This was written a little over 20 years ago and originally appeared as the President’s Message for our Quarterly Report of 12/31/2005.
The only things we have changed below are one digit in the years referenced, and the elapsed time in my professional / leadership life. Otherwise, this remains exactly as it was first written.
I hope this conveys an affirming constancy of purpose and conviction to you. It certainly does to me…
Read MoreHappy New Year from Lucien, Stirling & Gray
Read MoreNotice 2025-67 from the IRS was just recently released to the public with the updated limits affecting 2026 Amounts Relating to Retirement Plans and IRAs, as Adjusted for Changes in Cost-of-Living…
Read MoreFor me to say that we are all living through an incredibly turbulent period of breathtaking change, profound ambiguity, and unnerving societal disruption shouldn’t strike anyone reading this as a uniquely insightful comment. Nonetheless, I think it’s worth saying. And I think it’s worth repeating, so we don’t fall into the trap of trying to normalize the environment we’re in now, and therefore conclude that we ourselves should know, or that someone, somewhere, has enough experience (or access to privileged information) to know exactly how all this will eventually turn out…
Read MoreStarting January 1, 2026, high-income earners (those with more than $145,000 in wages from the previous year) who make 401(k) catch-up contributions must make them on a Roth (after-tax) basis, according to final IRS regulations…
Read MoreClose-knit, high-trust relationships make people feel happier, but they also make them more resilient and capable of banding together, coming alongside each other, sharing resources, combining talents, accomplishing great feats, and bouncing back quickly from fearsome setbacks. Our history is replete with inspiring examples of this phenomenon.
Social wealth is priceless. But like all forms of wealth, it must be stewarded – protected, grown, and deployed - wisely and carefully, with an eye towards the greater good…
Read MoreFor any of you who are interested here is a simplified synopsis of the newly enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1)—signed into law by President Trump on July 4, 2025—focusing on its key impacts for families and individuals…
Read MoreWe are now living, as the fabled Chinese curse prescribes, “in interesting times.”
That is not a comforting opening line, I know. But under the circumstances, if I were to attempt to be comforting, it might sound hollow to you. For the record, it would certainly seem so to me. There is nothing comforting about any of what we’re experiencing in financial markets, geopolitics, international trade, or our current sense of overall stability. Everything is in flux, and it would be surprising if you weren’t at least a little unsettled…
Read MoreAt Lucien, Stirling & Gray Advisory Group, we are profoundly aware that trust and confidence comprise the foundation of any great financial partnership. That's why we're excited to invite our valued clients and trusted friends to explore our Client Testimonial Page
Read MoreIn today’s financial landscape, navigating the rules surrounding Retirement Plans can be daunting. Regulations are constantly evolving, so it’s essential to stay informed so you can make optimal decisions for your retirement planning…
Read MoreHappy New Year from Lucien, Stirling & Gray
Read MoreHappy Thanksgiving from Lucien, Stirling & Gray
Read MoreTrue wealth comes in many forms, and plenty of incredibly valuable investments have very little to do with money. If you’ve been reading these essays for any length of time, you have seen me express these deeply held beliefs before…
Read MoreIn today’s financial landscape, navigating the rules surrounding Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) and inherited IRAs can be daunting. With regulations evolving, especially concerning Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), it’s essential to stay informed to make the best decisions for your retirement planning. In this newsletter, we’ll break down the current rules...
Read MoreIn the world of investment planning, certainty is a rare commodity. Markets fluctuate, economies evolve, and unforeseen events can upend even the most meticulously crafted plans. Embracing ambiguity, therefore, becomes not just a strategy but a necessity. Investors who learn to navigate uncertainty can adapt more effectively, seize opportunities, and ultimately achieve better outcomes.
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