When our clients or prospects consider our services, they often gravitate toward one aspect of what we do for them. In some cases, they may see us as portfolio managers, balancing their needs with uncertain markets and shifting economic times. Many will see us as adept financial planners who know how to make sense of their varying financial goals. Others will see us as trusted advisors who provide the necessary…
At Bear Mountain Capital, we take pride in working closely with a network of trusted professional partners who help our clients navigate important life decisions with confidence and clarity. One of those invaluable partners is Kjersti Stroup, a thoughtful and highly experienced estate planning attorney based in Seattle. Kjersti is the founder of Stroup Legal, where she focuses on helping individuals and families prepare for the unexpected through personalized, practical…
If you are an investor and heard terms like “accredited investor” or “qualified investor” and aren’t sure how they pertain to you, you’re not alone. These terms refer to specific financial qualifications that allow investors to participate in certain types of investment opportunities that may not be available to the general public. What Is an Accredited Investor? In many countries, including the U.S., being an accredited investor means you meet…
Accredited investors looking for stable, high-yield opportunities beyond traditional stocks and bonds are increasingly turning to direct lending and multi-family real estate investing. These alternative investment strategies offer strong risk-adjusted returns, diversification benefits, and long-term wealth-building potential. Non-Leveraged Direct Lending: Predictable Returns with Lower Risk Direct lending allows investors to act as private lenders, offering loans to businesses or individuals without going through traditional banks. By avoiding leverage, this strategy…
You’ve been hustling at your tech job for a few years and now it’s finally starting to pay off. Your finances are looking healthier than ever and goals that once seemed distant are now within reach. You’re thriving… vibes are high… life is good. Then, right on cue… here comes a random LinkedIn message from an investment advisor. Your first thought? “Do I really need help with this? Isn’t that…
If you haven’t been watching the headlines, thinking about the stock market, buying a house or applying for a line of credit, then you may have no idea that interest rates have recently gone down. Indeed, the Federal Reserve (the Fed) announced last month it is cutting its benchmark rate by 0.50% to a target rate of 4.75% to 5% (from 5.25 to 5.50%). Interest rate changes reverberate throughout the…
Investing will not make you financially secure. Investing will help you stay financially secure. Investing allows you to outpace inflation and optimize your assets. It’s not a secret path that lets you skip the line to financial freedom. For some, there is this idea that they can make up their savings shortfall by selecting the right investments. They think if their investment portfolio worked harder for them, they wouldn’t have…
Good financial advice boils down to a few simple principles: spend less than you make, maintain a healthy savings rate, invest prudently, manage risk, avoid unnecessary debt, and do your best to plan ahead. Follow these rules of thumb, and chances are, you’ll be in good shape. Sounds straightforward, right? But here’s the thing, what’s simple isn’t always easy. It’s like saying ‘eat healthy and exercise more, you’ll live longer.’…
Recently, we had an opportunity to do a question and answer session with one of our valued tax partners, RAC CPA Group, PLLC. RAC CPA is run by Josef Dassler and Paul Saxton with offices located downtown, Seattle. We took the time to ask the questions that we thought would help our clients understand what is important when working with a tax partner and their outlook on the 2025…
You’ve likely heard of the 80/20 rule before; if you haven’t, prepare to have your mind blown … (just kidding). The 80/20 rule, aka the Pareto Principle, is a phenomenon which states that roughly 80% of results come from just 20% of inputs. Using the 80/20 rule as a framework for decision making can help you focus your limited resources on actions that are the most impactful. When it comes…
