February 20, 2014 In Coldstream Happenings By Coldstream

2014 St. Patrick’s Day Dash

2014 Dash

As part of Coldstream’s Employee Health & Wellness Initiative, we are once again sponsoring the St. Patty’sDay Dash Challenge!  Accept our challenge and join us in Seattle’s largest single-distance run, walk, jog or crawl.  There are two ways to participate!

Join the Coldstream Team
(click the link above!)
Select Team Member Registration
Enter Team Registration Code: ColdstreamFriend  
Coldstream Team Members Save $3.00READ MORE

January 10, 2014 In Market Commentary By Bob Frazier

2013 is in the Books- What can we do for an Encore?

2013 turned out to be a banner year for equity investors. As the nearby chart illustrates, most domestic equity indexes were up by 30% or more, International Developed Indexes 20% or more, while developing market indexes, for the most part, had slightly negative returns. Bonds had one of the worst years in decades with virtually all fixed income indexes showing negative returns. So called inflation protection strategies performed very poorly. Commodities and REIT’s both had negative returns. Fortunately, at Coldstream we have been believers in MLP’s and global infrastructure investments which both had stellar returns for the year. All in all, it is safe to say 2013 turned out to be a much better year for investors than prognosticators envisioned a year ago.READ MORE

January 10, 2014 In Planning By Richard Merrifield II, CFP®, AIF®

Thinking of Retiring Overseas? Considerations to Keep in Mind

Over nearly three decades of providing financial planning counsel to clients, I have observed a variety of lifestyle trends rise and fall in popularity. A good example of those changing persuasions is the growing number of pre-retirees that are shunning the idea of owning a 2nd home. The most cited reason is the high “true cost of ownership” (e.g., home, insurance, maintenance, HOA dues etc.) when the home is only occupied 3-6 months annually.  Secondarily, retirees say that the knowledge of these associated costs create pangs of guilt when they contemplate going somewhere other than the 2nd home for a holiday.    Finally, the internet has made it possible for you to find outstanding properties for rent all over the world and with commitments as small as a week or spanning 2-5 years.  In fact, a growing number of retirees are embracing the freedom to explore different global areas of interest by way of extended stays. If you are thinking of enjoying some of your retirement in another country, be sure to understand the hurdles you may have to face. The following considerations will help you lay the groundwork for a smooth transition and avoid any unpleasant surprises that might otherwise arise after the big move.READ MORE

January 10, 2014 In Insurance By Peter Beeson, CIC

Tesla, TDI and High Performance Vehicles: Liability, Assets & Analysis

Innovative engineering and breakthroughs in design continue to break ground in the automotive industry. These new vehicles are in high demand; in the last 12 months we have seen a surge of high end new car acquisitions.

The Tesla is experiencing great success – even while under active investigation by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  Audi has reported record sales of its Q5 – and continues to advance technology with ground breaking advances in the TDI clean diesel market.  Sadly, Paul Walker’s tragic fatality accident in a Porsche Carrera GT highlights the challenges and perils of high performance vehicles.READ MORE

January 10, 2014 In Coldstream Happenings By Elaine Heller, CFA®

About Coldstream

We’d like to thank all our clients and friends of the firm who attended our Holiday Party on December 5th, between the music, food, drinks and great people attending, a good time was had by all.  We would particularly like to thank those Coldstream team members who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make the event seamless for those who attended.

Picture of Santa's helpers December 2013In the season for giving, Coldstream adopted two families through the auspices of Bellevue Lifespring for the holidays.  Through the generosity of our team members, we not only filled the families’ wish lists, but we were able to provide each family with a gift card for groceries and one for other necessities.  We are thankful for our own good fortune, and felt a lot of goodwill and joy when the gifts were taken to Lifespring.READ MORE

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