Articles

Nov 30 The inflation rate has come down from the forty-year highs we saw in 2022, but it is still elevated. While we are seeing relief on prices, there are some positive impacts of higher inflation. The IRS sets tax brackets, tax deductions, 401(k), and other tax-efficient retirement savings account contribution amounts by pegging them [...]

Dec 07 November Recap and December Outlook   After a year in which Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell managed to hold everyone’s attention – again – here we are waiting for the outcome of the last FOMC meeting of the year. A few weeks ago, with the narrative of rates being higher for longer taking [...]

Oct 31 Northwestern Mutual’s annual Planning and Progress Study is out, and the results this year are very interesting. The study examines U.S. adults by generation to understand attitudes and behaviors toward money, financial decision-making, and financial security. Given the volatility of the last year, the results reflect more uncertainty. But they also indicate that [...]

Nov 06 October Recap and November Outlook The Federal Reserve’s November meeting went as the market expected: no change in rates. What wasn’t expected was the October and early November rollercoaster of bond yields. And by rollercoaster, think Kingda Ka. The ten-year U.S. Treasury yield was briefly above 5.00% during the month. The last time [...]

Sep 27 Saving for retirement in a 401(k) is one of the most effective ways to build up a nest egg. But with the maximum contribution limit at a considerable $22,500 for those under 50 and $30,000 for savers age 50 or older, should you be maxing it out? If you are saving in a [...]

Oct 05   September Recap and October Outlook The outcome of the Fed’s meeting in September was to hold rates at the current level. It has been described as a “hawkish pause,” and the Fed was clear in post-meeting remarks and statements that one more increase is still possible in 2023. Regarding the impact on [...]

Sep 25 Helping your kids get a good start in life is a priority for many parents, and it often extends well past childhood and into adulthood. Alleviating some of the financial burden while they are getting careers going or providing housing or other forms of support has become not just normal but necessary. But [...]

Sep 06 August Recap and September Outlook For most of the summer, increasingly positive data releases fed into the market’s upbeat view of the economy. This seemed to belie the consistent messaging from the Federal Reserve that it isn’t done raising rates and inflation isn’t yet whupped. August poured cold showers on the market’s optimism, [...]

Aug 21 Starting and growing a business brings unique challenges. For many entrepreneurs, the main focus is keeping things ticking over for now and the immediate future. The planning required to ensure that the business will be a source of wealth over the long term can take time and effort. For women-owned businesses, there is [...]

Aug 07 July Recap and August Outlook Data releases in July told a story of a stronger-than-expected economy, with headline CPI falling and the labor market remaining robust. The doom-and-gloom scenario of an all-but-inevitable recession seemed to be replaced by something that looked like optimism around the prospect of a soft landing. Even Fed Chairman [...]