Scott Caufield, CFA, CPA, is the founder of Sophos Wealth Management, a fee-only financial planning and investment management firm in Woodinville, Washington. He helps individuals approaching or living in retirement coordinate their investments, tax strategies, and retirement income. His writing explores the financial decisions and trade-offs that shape retirement, drawing on his background in investment analysis and accounting.
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Are Seattle Area Stocks Expensive?
I thought it’d be interesting to look at the valuation of some of the more notable copmanies in the Greater Seattle Area. The table below shows a few different valuation metrics for Seattle companies alongside their 10 year average (median). So… Are They Expensive? The average company is more expensive on every metric than its…

Why I Buy Individual Stocks and Bonds
Warren Buffett is widely considered the greatest of all time (GOAT) in investing. But did you know that Buffett himself recommends passive investing for most investors? He once said: “The ultimate irony of the investment business is that there’s no question that an obstetrician will deliver babies better than the husband or the wife. Or…
Retirement Plans for the Self Employed
Self-employed and small business owners have a variety of options to help them save for retirement. Fortunately, these options are becoming increasingly less costly and difficult to administer as more brokers and custodians offer options such as a Solo 401(K). The best plan for you as an entrepreneur will depend on your unique situation, goals,…
First Quarter Commentary 2023
Index Q1 2023 S&P 500 7.50% Barclays US Agg Bond Index 2.96% Stocks started 2023 strong with the S&P 500 up over 7% and the Nasdaq up nearly 17%, its best quarter since 2020. Frothy stocks led the way but two factors poured cold water on the rally: hotter-than-expected inflation and trouble in the banking…

Trusts for Washington State Estate Planning
Trusts can seem like an intimidating tool. They come in an overwhelming variety of names and types and were once seen as an exclusive tool for the ultra wealthy. However, many people in Washington State could benefit from utilizing trusts in their estate plans and they’re often not as complex as they may seem (although…

What to do with your 401K after leaving your job?
If you’re one of the many tech workers who have experienced layoffs or a job change recently, you may be wondering what to do with your 401(K) account. Firstly, I strongly recommend that you do not cash out your 401(k) account. You will incur heavy penalties and taxes, and will also miss out on the…
