Tag: Personal Finance

Bond Purchases: When Bad News is Good News

Nov 22, 2021

Fed Tapering Bond Purchases
A surprising reaction to tapered bond purchases.

Financial markets can be challenging to understand. But when markets enter a “bad news is good news” cycle, it becomes even more difficult to follow along. Enter the Fed’s decision for tapering bond purchases. (more…)

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Wise Decisions with Retirement in Mind

Nov 1, 2021

Certain financial & life choices may lead you toward a better future.

In retirement, some retirees succeed at realizing the life they want; others don’t. Fate aside, it isn’t merely a matter of investment decisions that makes the difference. There are certain dos and don’ts – some less apparent than others – that tend to encourage retirement happiness and comfort. (more…)

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Estate Taxes May Be Amended Soon

Oct 29, 2021

Coin Stack Tax
What to know about the budget reconciliation bill

To help raise revenue to pay for President Biden’s Build Back Better Plan, Congress is considering a number of tax law changes, including adjusting estate taxes. (more…)

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Will Fed Chair Powell Get a Second Term?

Oct 13, 2021

Financial markets tend to function best when they have clear, strong leadership. When there’s concern about who’s the boss, markets can struggle.  Jerome Powell is finishing his first term as Fed Chair in February 2022. Until the past few weeks, Wall Street overwhelmingly believed he would be nominated to a second term by President Biden.1 (more…)

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Government Debt Goes on a Roller Coaster Ride

Oct 6, 2021

debt ceiling crisis
Investors may find themselves with an uneasy feeling

Debates over government debt, taxes, and infrastructure have captured the attention of the nation this week. All eyes are on Washington and Wall Street as these events play out, with potentially far-reaching consequences that seem to shift hour by hour. (more…)

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The Bull Market Continues … For Now

Sep 15, 2021

Worries are adding up, even as stocks hit new highs.

The bull market continues, with the S&P 500 Index now up seven months in a row. Stocks have impressively gained 20% year-to-date, with the S&P 500 making 53 new all-time highs before the end of August—another new record. All of this has happened with very little volatility, as the S&P 500 hasn’t had so much as a 5% pullback since last October. (more…)

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401(k) Millionaires

Sep 1, 2021

401k
What does this mean for your overall retirement strategy

Your workplace retirement account can play a critical role in your overall retirement strategy. However, some have gone further with the accounts than others, especially recently. (more…)

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Distracted Americans During Covid

Aug 30, 2021

Consumer Habits during Covid
Consumer habits are changing as we spend more time at home

Over the last year, many have seen their lives impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The ways in which we work, live, and communicate have drastically changed, to say the least. (more…)

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The Federal Reserve Can’t Keep a Secret

Aug 27, 2021

Federal Reserve
Are the Fed presidents telling tales out of school?

If you have a secret, don’t tell anyone at the Federal Reserve Bank. They may leak the story before you’d like.

In early August, multiple regional Federal Reserve Bank presidents hit the speaking tour. (more…)

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Direct Indexing

Aug 11, 2021

Direct Indexing
An old way to manage a portfolio is getting some new attention

“Indexing” is a familiar phrase in investment jargon, and a familiar concept. Money managers structure certain investment vehicles to contain all of the stocks within a particular Wall Street index, such as the Standard & Poor’s 500 stock index. This equity exposure may fit the investment strategy for some investors depending on their risk tolerance, time horizon and goals.  (more…)

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More Insights

Estate Planning – Protecting Your Assets
Apr 29, 2024

You’re beginning to accumulate substantial wealth, but you worry about protecting it from future potential creditors. Whether your concern is for your personal assets or your business, various tools exist to keep your property safe from tax collectors, accident victims, health-care providers, credit card issuers, business creditors, and creditors of others. To insulate your property … Continue reading “Estate Planning – Protecting Your Assets”

Market Update – The Patient Pause
Apr 26, 2024

It seems like we just can’t stop talking about the Federal Reserve (Fed). After an aggressive rate hiking campaign that we think ended last year, markets were expecting the Fed to start cutting interest rates as early as next month. But withan economy that continues to surprise to the upside, along with inflationary pressures that … Continue reading “Market Update – The Patient Pause”

How Market Cycles Can Impact Retirements
Apr 24, 2024

A thoughtful retirement strategy may help you pursue your many retirement goals. That strategy must consider many factors, and here are just a few: your income needs, the order of your withdrawals from taxable and tax-advantaged retirement accounts, the income tax implications of those withdrawals, and sequence of return risk.

My Spouse Passed Away What Do I Do?
Apr 22, 2024

Losing a spouse is a stressful transition. And the added pressure of having to settle the estate and organize finances can be overwhelming. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to make dealing with these matters less difficult.

Do I Need Critical Illness Insurance?
Apr 19, 2024

Ever hear of critical illness insurance? This isn’t standard-issue disability insurance, but a cousin of sorts. With people living longer, it is a risk management option entering more people’s lives.

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