Blog
How M1 Money Supply & Inflation Are Related
Sometimes, a picture tells a thousand words, and this chart of the M1 money supply certainly does just that. M1 rose rapidly during the pandemic due to an effort to provide stimulus packages to those who suffered financial loss during...
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The 401(k) Millionaires Club
The stock market rebound has significantly increased the number of workers with $1 million or more in their workplace retirement accounts. According to Fidelity Investments, employees with 401(k) balances exceeding $1 million rose 26...
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Powell's Jackson Hole Speech Unsettles Markets
If it feels like the financial markets are lurching from news event to news event in recent weeks, you’re right. They are. The markets were on pins and needles waiting for Fed Chair Powell to deliver his talk at the Jackson Hole...
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Bull Market Leaving Some Behind
Market timing is exhausting. And sometimes, it can be expensive. When you time the markets, you have to be right twice – first when getting out and second when getting back in. In the accompanying chart, you can see individual...
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Wasn't There Supposed to be a Recession?
In advance of 2023, the recession drum beats were so loud it was deafening. Market pundits warned that as the Fed raised interest rates, it was just a matter of time before the economy entered a recession. But it’s July now, and...
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A Smaller Social Security Bump May Be On the Way
I wanted to take a moment to update you on the potential changes to Social Security benefits for 2024. As I'm sure you know, the Social Security Administration calculates annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) based on the Consumer...
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Supply Chain Issues Appear Resolved. For Now.
Here’s a riddle. “I’m a two-word phrase that we heard almost every day for two years, but it has dropped from almost all economic talk in 2023?”Answer: Supply chain.As you can see from the accompanying chart,...
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Older Americans Month
Each May is Older Americans Month, a time to celebrate the wisdom of aging people, recognize their many contributions, and facilitate discussions related to older adults. This year’s observance coincides with the 2023 Retirement...
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The Financial Impact of Losing Your Spouse
The loss of a spouse has profound emotional and financial consequences. Planning for this possibility is vital for your financial stability— even after your partner is gone. Changes to your income are inevitable after a spouse...
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Creating a Values-Based Estate Plan
Many investors have some understanding of traditional estate plans that specify how you want to distribute your property after you die. A values-based estate plan is different, but the two types can overlap, giving voice to how you...
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The Delta Factor
The après-COVID party is in full swing. Travel is booming. Restaurants are full. Real estate is on a roll. Even used cars are a hot commodity. In 2021, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) recently topped 35,000 and other major...
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The Greening of Wall Street
The green revolution is upon us. Like it or not, the world is shifting away from fossil fuels toward renewables. Solar and wind farms are sprouting up across the globe. The major car companies are phasing out gas-powered vehicles and...
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Real Estate Is Booming. Is a Bust Ahead?
Anyone looking to buy or sell a home lately has probably been hit by sticker shock. Residential real estate prices have gone through the roof, increasing at rates unseen since 2005. According to S&P Case-Shiller, home prices in March...
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Despite Pandemic, Americans Are Saving for Retirement
The global pandemic has taken a grim toll on lives and livelihoods. Many have been laid off, furloughed, or taken on more debt to tide things over. Many others have had to scale back their lifestyle or help support family or friends...
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Social Security and You: What Does the Future Hold?
Social Security benefits currently represent approximately 33% of the aggregate total income of Americans aged 65 and older, according to the Social Security Administration. For future generations of retirees, Social Security may...
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Growth vs. Value: Two Approaches to Stock Investing
For growth stock investors, it's been a heady time. Growth stocks recorded a total return of 33.5% for the year ended December 31, 2020, significantly eclipsing value's 1.4% showing. And over the past five years, growth has...
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New Year's Resolution: Manage Your Debt
As the new year dawns, most Americans are probably happy to bid good riddance to 2020, a year marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, lockdowns, political brawls, and challenging economic times. Many have had to take on debt to tide them over...
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