Dear Garden State Trust: The S&P 500 stock index has reached new highs. Should I consider selling now? —Prosperous But Worried Dear Prosperous: Passing a stock index milestone is not a signal to buy or sell. However, it does focus attention on the market, and it may cause some investors to evaluate their portfolio. There…
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Has the Avengers Series Stalled the Endgame for Movie Theatres?
Before seeing the tremendous debut of Avengers: Endgame (earning over $350 million domestically in ticket sales on opening weekend), many wondered if we were in the endgame for movie theatres. Now some are wondering how it was even possible to take in that much, and where the extra capacity came from. Fun trivia about how…
Making Referrals
Dear Garden State Trust: I am a satisfied trust customer. Recently my brother-in-law asked me about who handles my investments, and I was unsure about whether you welcome referrals. I don’t know how much he has to invest—would that matter? Do you want such cold referrals, or are they just a bother? Would you keep…
What Will Happen to Rover?
Losing a beloved pet can be one of the more difficult experiences a person goes through in their lives, but it can be just as hard for the pet to lose their beloved human companion. We are the caretakers of our pets, and caretakers need to create contingency plans for what will happen if they…
Companion Animal Planning
Dear Garden State Trust: Can I provide something for my pets in my will? Didn’t Leona Helmsley set up a trust for her dog? —Thoughtful Animal Lover Dear Thoughtful: Yes, Mrs. Helmsley created a $12 million trust to care for her pet, Trouble. However, the probate court subsequently reduced the size of the trust to…
Guinness Turns a Golden Argument Into a Gold Opportunity
The year is 1954. Sir Hugh Beaver still hadn’t found out what he need to know in order to be known as correct beyond dispute after missing a shot at a golden plover: What is the fastest game bird in Europe, the golden plover or the red grouse? After searching for answers in reference books,…
Retirement Readiness
Dear Garden State Trust: I’m old enough to retire, but I’m not sure I’m ready yet. I think I have strong financial resources, but I don’t know if they are enough to make me financially independent for the rest of my life. Retirement seems so terribly uncertain to me. When should I make the jump?…