Articles

Social security benefits are linked to inflation, and with inflation largely under control, the large cost-of-living (COLA) increases of the last several years are now a thing of the past. This year’s increase was much smaller, and there are several other changes retirees need to think about as well. While even a small amount of [...]

Oct 07 September Recap and October Outlook September equity markets ended the month in positive territory, but with volatility increased. The VIX, the markets “fear index” closed higher than last month, at 16.73, up from 15.00. Intramonth, the values ranged from a high of 23.76 and a low of 14.90. September’s somewhat surprisingly 50-basis point [...]

Sep 14 After a steep rate hike cycle in which the Fed raised rates eleven times between March of 2022 and July of 2023, for a total increase of 5.00%, rates have been on hold for the last six FOMC meetings as the Fed has assessed the success of the fight against inflation. With that [...]

Sep 09 August Recap and September Outlook As summer ends and September begins, attention is focused on the long-anticipated change in the Fed’s monetary policy, from holding rates steady to returning rates to lower levels. July and August non-farm payrolls indicate a slowing labor market, but other economic indicators are holding steady and show an [...]

Aug 07 July Recap and August Outlook After weeks of Olympic-themed press reports about the Fed “sticking the (soft) landing” and safely guiding the economy to a place where inflation is coming down and growth is holding off recession, one very bad labor report flipped the script. The threat of recession is not just in [...]

Jul 15 The combination of a strong housing market, high mortgage rates, and meager inventory is forcing some would-be homebuyers to settle for less in the home or neighborhood they prefer. But others are approaching the homebuying process with an entirely different mindset. Buying a home in less than move-in condition, or one that requires [...]

Jul 08 June Recap and July Outlook At the FOMC meeting in mid-June, the story was the drop in expectations for multiple rate cuts in 2024 to potentially only one rate cut later in the year. However, positive data around inflation and labor markets appears to have counteracted market pessimism about the cautious nature of [...]

May 31 Getting married is a milestone unlike any other. It signifies partnership and shared responsibility, now and in the years ahead. Joint decision-making on everything from dinner plans to where you will live, and what your family will look like in the years to come, is at the core of a successful marriage. [...]

Jun 07 May Recap and June Outlook May saw a return to more confidence in the economy and the markets. The Fed met early in the month, and Chairman Powell managed to curb market pessimism by stating that it was unlikely that the Fed’s next move would be a rate hike. The reversal of the [...]

Apr 30 The “Sandwich Generation” are Gen-Xers and older Millennials who are raising children while also helping their Boomer parents navigate aging. There’s a lot to think about, plan for, and organize, but one of the things that can be overlooked is keeping them safe from financial pitfalls. This older generation has embraced technology in [...]