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Year-End Charitable Giving
With the holiday season upon us and the end of the year approaching, we pause to give thanks for our blessings and the people in our lives. It is also a time when charitable giving often comes to mind. The tax benefits associated with...
Read More5 Tips to Manage Your Holiday Spending
The holiday season is coming up fast, and with it comes all the festivities, joy, and of course, spending. It can be easy to get carried away with all the excitement and end up spending more than you intended. But don't worry, with a...
Read More2023 Year-End Tax Tips
Here are some things to consider as you weigh potential tax moves between now and the end of the year. 1. Defer income to next year Consider opportunities to defer income to 2024, particularly if you think you may be in a lower tax...
Read MoreMantras & Mile-Markers
It’s been said that investing is like running a marathon. There is a long-term goal that requires pacing yourself in such a way that you don’t exhaust all your energy mid-way. It requires focus and discipline, and not...
Read MoreMedicare Open Enrollment Begins October 15
If you are covered by Medicare, it's time to compare your current coverage with other available options. Medicare's Open Enrollment period begins on October 15 and runs through December 7. Medicare plans can change every year, and you...
Read MoreShow All
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...
Read MoreBudget Bill Next “Headline Risk” for Stocks
Have you ever heard the expression, “It’s a headline risk for the markets?” Headline risk is the chance that an unsettling news event–anticipated or a surprise–can add volatility to the financial markets....
Read MoreSoft Landing or Delayed Recession?
Economists have been predicting a recession for the U.S. economy ever since the Federal Reserve began aggressively raising interest rates in 2022. This is Econ 101. High interest rates, which make it more expensive to borrow, are...
Read MoreA Primer on Dividends
When looking for income-generating investments, some investors turn to dividend-yielding stocks. When a company makes a profit, that money can be put to two uses: It can be reinvested in the business. It can be paid out to the...
Read MoreWatch Out for Student Loan Repayment Scams
This past June, the Supreme Court struck down President Biden's plan to cancel up to $20,000 in federal student loan debt for qualified borrowers. As a result, millions of student loan borrowers are scheduled to start paying back...
Read MoreWhy Did Retirement Confidence Falter in 2023?
In its annual Retirement Confidence Survey of current workers and retirees, the Employee Benefit Research Institute found that workers' confidence in their ability to fund retirement fell by the largest extent since the financial...
Read MorePersonal Finance Calendar
January: Write down the major financial events you anticipate in the next few years. That will help guide a discussion about whether your portfolio reflects your short- and long-term goals. Update your personal net worth to account for...
Read MoreRMD Relief and Guidance for 2023
In early 2022, the IRS issued proposed regulations regarding required minimum distributions (RMDs) to reflect changes made by the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act of 2019. The IRS has held off on...
Read MoreWasn'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...
Read MoreRevisiting Supreme Court's Decision on Student Loans
Three important developments occurred recently in the world of federal student loans: the U.S. Supreme Court blocked an executive order offering loan cancellation to certain borrowers.
Read MoreWhy the Fed Can't Figure Out the Jobs Market
As the Fed continues its fight against inflation, one of the more challenging parts of the economy is gauging what's happening in the jobs market. One July report showed the private sector added nearly 500,000 jobs, double the...
Read More7 Tips for Helping Elders Find Care
Have you noticed Mom or Dad showing signs of decline? Are you worried about your elderly uncle living at home by himself? You're not alone. Many of us will find ourselves making care decisions for our parents or other beloved elders....
Read MoreWill AI Upend the American Workforce?
A chatbot with uncanny human-like writing abilities has become the poster child for artificial intelligence (AI) since it was released in late 2022, inspiring new levels of attention, excitement, and concern about recent advances in...
Read MorePickleball in Retirement
Over the last couple of years doctors have made clear the benefits of regular physical activity, especially for older adults. In fact, adults 65 and older gain substantial health benefits from regular physical activity. Being...
Read MoreNew Options for 529 Plans and Student Loan Payments
In December 2022, Congress passed the SECURE 2.0 Act. It introduced two new rules relating to 529 plans and student debt that will take effect in 2024.The first provision allows for tax- and penalty-free rollovers from a 529 plan to a...
Read MoreThe Federal Reserve's New Instant Payment System
The use of mobile payment apps and person-to-person (P2P) payments are more popular than ever, giving businesses and consumers the ability to send and receive money instantly. According to a recent study, the share of P2P payments made...
Read MoreRepairing America's Safety Net
A March 2023 survey found that more than 90% of Americans worry about the Social Security program, and about half of those said they worry a great deal.1 A separate survey the same month found that more than 80% of Americans worry...
Read MoreHelping Small Employers Help Their Employees
Approximately 78% of people who work for companies with fewer than 10 employees and about 65% of those who work for companies with 10 to 24 employees do not have access to a retirement plan at work. That's unfortunate, because...
Read MoreSECURE 2.0 Adds New Early Withdrawal Exceptions
The SECURE 2.0 Act, passed as part of an omnibus spending bill in December 2022, added new exceptions to the 10% federal income tax penalty for early withdrawals from tax-advantaged retirement accounts. The Act also expanded an...
Read MoreGas Engines & Grandparents
As the morning sunlight peeked through the curtains hanging in the back of my grandparents’ motorhome, I squinted my eyes open and stretched out my arms as my body readied itself for the day. It’s hard to say if it was...
Read MoreBreak Through the Clutter
When was the last time you spring cleaned your house? Many of us do some form of spring cleaning in our homes regularly.1 But what about our financial "homes"? It can be easy to forget about the...
Read MoreThere's Still Time to Fund an IRA for 2022
The tax filing deadline is fast approaching, which means time is running out to fund an IRA for 2022. If you had earned income last year, you may be able to contribute up to $6,000 for 2022 ($7,000 for those age 50 or older by December...
Read MoreWhat's Going On With The Banks?
Regulators seized the assets of SVB on Friday, March 10. There was a “run on the bank” because depositors were anxious about the overall health of the bank. This represents the second-largest bank failure in the U.S. and the biggest since..
Read MoreAmerica's Debt Ceiling Hit, Again
On January 19, 2023, the outstanding debt of the U.S. government reached its statutory limit, commonly called the debt ceiling. The current limit was set by Congress at about...
Read MoreAre You Missing Tax Deductions?
Who among us wants to pay the IRS more taxes than we have to? While few may raise their hands, Americans regularly overpay because they fail to take tax deductions for which they are eligible. Let's take a quick look at the five most...
Read MoreState of the Economy
As a financial advisor, people often ask me: How's the economy doing? Answer: It's complicated. After the Federal Reserve hiked interest rates again (but less than last time) and all the market volatility, it's a good time to talk about...
Read MoreThe Biggest Bowl Game of the Year
As the biggest sporting event of the year approaches, football fans all over the nation (including us) are gearing up for the Big Game on Sunday, February 12, at 6:30 PM ET. For many, Sunday means a day of tasty tailgating and...
Read MoreFederal Tax Filing Season Has Started
The IRS announced that the starting date for when it would accept and process 2022 tax-year returns was Monday, January 23, 2023.Tips for making filing easierTo speed refunds and help with tax filing, the IRS suggests the...
Read MoreIs the Yield Curve Signaling a Recession?
Long-term bonds generally provide higher yields than short-term bonds, because investors demand higher returns to compensate for the risk of lending money over a longer period. Occasionally, however, this relationship flips, and...
Read MoreHonda Associates: Changes to Your Lump Sum Pension
It’s that time of year again… That time of year when Honda lump sum rates are declared. The good news is that you have until no later than March 1st to weigh what makes more sense to you (i.e. when to retire and if...
Read MoreSGO Program
As we wrap up the 2022, we hope you’ve been able to spend quality time with your families and loved ones. The start of a new year can be exciting in many ways! But we also put an end to some things – one of those...
Read MoreStudent Loan Repayment Delayed Again
The Biden administration has announced another extension for repayment of federal student loans to an unspecified date in 2023 due to legal challenges that have blocked implementation of the student loan debt relief program. The...
Read MoreCharitable Contributions from IRAs
Did you know that, if you are at least 70½ years old, you can make tax-free charitable donations directly from your IRA? By making what's called a qualified charitable distribution (QCD), you can benefit your favorite charity...
Read MoreNew Retirement Contribution Limits for 2023
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released new limits for certain retirement accounts for the coming year. After months of high inflation and financial uncertainty, some of these cost-of-living-based adjustments have reached...
Read MoreThe Almighty Dollar
In late September 2022, the U.S. dollar hit a 20-year high in an index that measures its value against six major currencies: the euro, the Japanese yen, the British pound, the Canadian dollar, the Swedish krona, and the Swiss franc. At...
Read More2022 Year-End Tax Tips
Here are some things to consider as you weigh potential tax moves between now and the end of the year. Number 1: Consider opportunities to defer income to 2023, particularly if you think you may be in a lower tax...
Read MoreCHIPs and Science Act Aims to Preserve U.S. Technology Edge
The CHIPs and Science Act of 2022, signed into law on August 9, is a bipartisan legislation package that provides more than $50 billion in direct financial assistance for semiconductor companies to increase U.S.-based design, research,...
Read MoreLife Doesn't Stand Still
September is Life Insurance Awareness Month. If you haven’t reviewed your insurance profile in a while, you may be surprised that what made sense in the past no longer fits your life. Here are some ways to quickly evaluate your...
Read MoreStudent Loan Debt Relief Plan
On August 24, 2022, just a few days before federal student loan repayment was set to resume, President Biden announced a plan for additional student loan debt relief.Federal student loan repayment was originally halted in March 2020 at...
Read MoreCan Retirement Funds & College Funds Coexist?
You want to retire comfortably when the time comes. You also want to help your child go to college. So how do you juggle the two? The truth is, saving for your retirement and your child's education at the same time can be a challenge....
Read MoreInflation Reduction Act: What You Should Know
The Inflation Reduction Act, signed into law on August 16, 2022, includes health-care and energy-related provisions, a new corporate alternative minimum tax, and an excise tax on certain corporate stock buybacks. Additional funding is...
Read MoreKey Takeaways - Global Leadership Summit 2022
The Global Leadership Summit (GLS) is an annual conference where leaders from all over the world, and across multiple industries, share (via telecast) their wisdom, inspiration, and experiences to help others grow in their leadership...
Read MoreWhere There's A Will
"Where there's a will, there's a way." Sage advice that applies not only to our lives but to your estate strategy.When was the last time you reviewed your will or estate strategy? August is National "Make a Will" Month, an excellent...
Read MoreManaging the Risk of Outliving Your Money
What is your greatest fear surrounding retirement? If you ask some pre-retirees this question, "outliving my money" may be one of the top answers. In fact, 42% of workers say they fear outliving their savings and investments.
Read MoreRetirement: Finish Line or Starting Line?
As wealth advisors, most of the retirement questions we field from our prospective clients are centered around their financial landscape. It can be easy to believe that the timeline for retirement is determined purely by how many...
Read MoreMarket Review - Q2, 2022
The second quarter of 2022 was rough for markets, giving investors a grueling ride over the last few months. Driving the losses were stubbornly high inflation, rising interest rates, and recession concerns. However, there might be some...
Read MoreThe Health of Social Security
With approximately 94% of American workers covered by Social Security and 65 million people currently receiving benefits, keeping Social Security healthy is a major concern. Social Security isn't in danger of going broke...
Read MoreChanging Jobs? Know Your 401(k) Options
If you've recently changed jobs or are considering a career change, you may be wondering what to do with your 401(k) plan account. It's important to understand your options.
Read More2022 Summer Magazine
Each quarter, our organization collaborates with one of our content partners to produce a quarterly magazine called Wealth Today. Each edition has a little bit different flavor according to the season and it covers everything from...
Read MoreWhat's Behind Recent Market Volatility?
During the intensely volatile first 100 trading days of 2022, the stocks of companies in the S&P 500 index delivered their worst performance...
Read MoreThe Ins & Outs of Social Security
Before you receive any Social Security benefits, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will need to determine your eligibility. Remember that Social Security is an insurance system designed to pay you benefits during...
Read MoreThere's a New Party Crasher for Homebuyers
Homebuyers braving the hot U.S. housing market have run headlong into a striking transition. The average interest rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage jumped from around 3.2% at the beginning of 2022 to 5.3% in mid-May, the highest level...
Read MoreAdjusting Your Tax Withholding
Now that you've seen last year's tax results and can see where this year is heading, it may be a good time to consider adjustments to your income tax withholding.
Read MoreDespite Concerns, Retirement Confidence Remains Steady
Nearly three quarters of workers and 77% of retirees in a recent survey said they remain at least somewhat confident that they will experience a comfortable retirement, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute....
Read MoreHigh Inflation: How Long Will It Last?
In March 2022, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), the most common measure of inflation, rose at an annual rate of 8.5%, the highest level since December 1981.1 It's not surprising that a Gallup poll at the end...
Read MoreRequired Distributions: Changes You Need to Know
The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act of 2019 changed the rules for taking distributions from retirement accounts inherited after 2019. The so-called 10-year rule generally requires inherited accounts...
Read MoreDepartment of Education Announces Sixth Student Loan Payment Pause
On April 6, the U.S. Department of Education announced a record sixth extension for federal student loan repayment, interest, and collections, through August 31, 2022.1 The fifth payment pause was set to end on April 30, 2022....
Read MoreThe Hope of Easter
I will never forget the time I traveled to Israel a few years ago. It was such a powerful life changing event for me as the scriptures seem to come alive in full living color. During those twelve days we saw so many spectacular...
Read MoreFor Better? Or Worse?
I’d like to start today with an admission: There's not much new perspective on current events I can offer. Markets are still locked in a volatile pattern and will probably continue that way for the foreseeable future. So instead...
Read MoreWhat Do Rising Interest Rates Mean for Your Money?
On March 16, 2022, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) of the Federal Reserve raised the benchmark federal funds rate by 0.25% to a target range of 0.25% to 0.50%. This is the beginning of a series of increases that the FOMC...
Read MoreBaseball Lessons to Change Up Your Finances
Baseball stadiums are filled with optimists. Fans start each new season with the hope that even if last year ended badly, this year could finally be the year. After all, teams rally mid-season, curses are broken, and even...
Read MoreWatch Out for These Common Tax Scams
According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), tax scams tend to increase during tax season and/or times of crisis.1 Now that tax season is in full swing, the IRS is reminding taxpayers to use caution and avoid becoming the...
Read MoreRussia, Oil, and Inflation
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has drawn condemnation and punitive sanctions from the United States, Europe, and their allies. The humanitarian cost of war cannot be measured, and the long-term economic effects could take months or...
Read MoreThere's Still Time to Contribute to an IRA for 2021
Even though tax filing season is well under way, there's still time to make a regular IRA contribution for 2021. You have until your tax return due date (not including extensions) to contribute up to $6,000 for 2021 ($7,000 if you...
Read MoreWhen Whales Fight...
As we consider the tensions driving recent market movements, a Korean folk saying seems appropriate: "When whales fight, the shrimp's back is broken." The idea is that bystanders get hurt when big folks duke it out. What are the tensions?
Read MoreThe Fed Pivots to Fight Inflation
On December 15, 2021, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) of the Federal Reserve System made a significant shift in monetary policy in response to rising inflation. The Committee accelerated the reduction of its bond-buying program...
Read MoreWarmest Wishes for the New Year
As another eventful year comes to a close, we'd like to offer a heartfelt "thank you" for being part of the Dodds Wealth Advisors journey. We are so deeply grateful for your trust and presence in our business and we’re sending...
Read MoreWhat Will You Pay for Medicare in 2022?
Medicare premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts change annually. Here's a look at some of the costs that will apply in 2022 if you're enrolled in Original Medicare Part A and Part B. Medicare Part B premiums According to the...
Read MoreSupply Chain Chaos: Holiday Edition
The supply chain is the network by which products flow from the factories of suppliers to the inventories of retailers so they can ultimately be purchased by consumers. Corporate supply chains have been under pressure since the...
Read MoreThe Power of Giving Thanks
Gratitude is an expression of appreciation for all we have in addition to being an affirmation of goodness and warmth.1 This Thanksgiving, there are so many things for which to be grateful: our families, our health, and our successes....
Read More2022 Contribution Limits
Preparing for retirement just got a little more financial wiggle room. This week, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced new contribution limits for 2022. Staying put for 2022 are traditional Individual Retirement Accounts...
Read MoreEmployer Open Enrollment: Make Benefit Choices That Work for You
Open enrollment is the window of time when employers introduce changes to their benefit offerings for the upcoming plan year. If you're employed, this is your once-a-year chance to make important decisions that will affect your...
Read More2021 Year-End Tax Tips
Here are some things to consider as you weigh potential tax moves before the end of the year. Defer Income to Next Year Consider opportunities to defer income to 2022, particularly if you think you may be in a lower tax bracket then....
Read MoreSocial Security's Uncertain Future: What You Should Know
Social Security is a pay-as-you-go system, which means today's workers are paying taxes for the benefits received by today's retirees. However, demographic trends such as lower birth rates, higher retirement rates, and longer life...
Read MoreConsiderations During Medicare’s Open Enrollment
How long has it been since you’ve reviewed your Medicare policy? With open enrollment fast approaching, there are a few questions you may want to ask yourself before you renew, add, drop, or switch coverage. Have you switched...
Read MoreAre Your Taxes Going to Change?
Most likely, you’ve heard what’s brewing in Washington, D.C., called by one of these names. The Build Back Better Act. Or the $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation bill. Or the Jobs and Economic Recovery Plan for Working...
Read MoreThe Underutilized Benefits of a Health Savings Account
Healthcare can be one of the priciest yet essential parts of life’s journey. And yet, many struggle to utilize the financial tools that may help. Take Health Saving Accounts (HSAs), for example. In 2019, 55% of those with HSAs...
Read MoreToo Hot to Handle: What's Ahead for the U.S. Housing Market?
The U.S. housing market, already strong before the pandemic, has heated up to record levels in 2021. The Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index, which measures home prices in 20 major metropolitan areas, reported a 12-month...
Read MoreInfrastructure Legislation Advances, But Still Has a Ways to Go
Two large infrastructure bills have taken important steps to advance in Congress. Here's where they stand: On August 10, 2021, the Senate passed a $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill, to be named the Infrastructure Investment...
Read More401(k) Millionaires
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. CNBC reported on findings that place 401(k) accounts...
Read MoreInflation Concerns Linger
If you pay attention to financial news, you are probably seeing a lot of discussion about inflation, which has reared its head in the U.S. economy after being mostly dormant for the last decade. In May 2021, the Consumer Price Index...
Read MoreSummer Travel is Back!
One of the most anticipated comebacks of 2021 isn’t an athlete, rock star, or movie franchise. It’s summer travel, and it appears to be back with a vengeance. Travel agents are working 14-hour days to meet the needs of...
Read MoreInflation Worries?
How much inflation can the country afford before we're in trouble? Let's discuss. First, let's get on the same page about some basics. If you've noticed the price of a thing increasing over time (say, your favorite candy bar or the...
Read MoreWhat's the Deal With the Crypto Craze?!
Cryptocurrency isn’t the black sheep it once was. It’s hit the mainstream, and it’s grabbing up more headlines and investors than ever before. These days, about 1 in 7 Americans own some type of cryptocurrency. And a...
Read More2021 Retirement Confidence Survey
May 6, 2021 Will your retirement dreams match your reality? That's perhaps the most critical question to ask people who are currently retired. Was your retirement what you expected, or was it something else? For more than 30 years,...
Read MoreInvestor Sentiment Is Shifting
April 29, 2021 A recent survey shows that 63% of investors are more interested in protecting their financial assets and planning for uncertainty in the future than anything else.1 There are many reasons for this change, but here are a...
Read MoreWhat Forces Are Driving the Housing Market?
April 23, 2021 Recently, you may have seen reports that a record-low number of homes are available for sale—roughly 1.03 million nationwide. If you compare that to the average number of homes for sale during the past 10 years,...
Read MoreThe Economics of MLB Spring Training
March 18, 2021 Major League Baseball scheduled Opening Day for April 1, but two states have already scored with spring training underway. Every year, spring training divides the 30 MLB teams into two squads. Half of the teams travel...
Read MoreOil Prices on the Move
March 4, 2021 At this time last year, it was still unknown that a deadly global pandemic was on the rise, eventually stalling economic growth and sending crude oil prices into negative territory. But recently, oil prices have surged,...
Read MoreEconomic Predictions: What Lies Ahead?
February 18, 2021 It can be easy to overlook the nation’s solid economic fundamentals when the financial media splashes stories every day about an army of amateur traders, short-selling mania, and initial public offerings (IPOs)...
Read MoreTraditional vs. Roth IRA
February 11, 2021 Traditional Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA), which were created in 1974, are owned by roughly 46.4 million U.S. households. And Roth IRAs, created as part of the Taxpayer Relief Act in 1997, are owned by nearly...
Read MoreWhat Exactly Happened With Gamestop?
February 4, 2021 By now, you have likely read, or at least seen, something about Gamestop in the news. What exactly happened? Well, here’s a quick guide to the market frenzy you’re seeing in the headlines. What is GameStop...
Read MoreEmergency Fund - How Much Is Enough?
January 14, 2021 Have you ever had one of those months? The water heater stops heating, the dishwasher stops washing, and your family ends up on a first-name basis with the nurse at urgent care. Then, as you’re driving to work,...
Read More5 Highlights of the New Stimulus Package
January 7, 2021 After a bit of political posturing in December, the $900 billion Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (2021 CAA) was signed into law by President Trump as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact employers and...
Read MoreIconic Christmas Movies
December 24, 2020 What would Christmastime be without your favorite holiday movie playing on the TV? I know for our family, the Christmas season hasn't officially begun until we see Scott Calvin float up into the air with Santa's bag...
Read MoreWill the Grinch Steal Christmas?
December 17, 2020 The start of the holiday shopping season can provide important clues about the economy's state and, more importantly, overall consumer confidence. So far, the results have been a “mixed bag” with empty...
Read MoreYear-End Perspective
December 4th, 2020 We know that the calendar hasn't quite flipped yet. But we thought it was still a good time to reflect on the past year. It's certainly easy to want to turn the page on 2020 and never look back, but we would be...
Read MoreGiving Thanks in 2020
When it comes to Thanksgiving, the name says it all. Taking time to cultivate gratitude is especially important when times are tough. Sharing your blessings and offering thanks to family and friends can lighten your...
Read MoreInterest Rates and Your Mortgage
With the Federal Reserve keeping interest rates at or near zero, you may wonder about your mortgage. Is it a good time to refinance or even pay off the debt entirely? After all, your...
Read MoreElection 2020: What's Required to Pass Certain Proposals?
Now that several major news groups have projected Joe Biden the winner of the presidential election—and Congress appears divided with Democrats in control of...
Read MoreLong-Term Rates Are Creeping Higher
With all the election chatter and stock market volatility, it may have been easy to miss the ongoing uptrend in long-term interest rates. The yield on the 10-year Treasury bond is sitting just below 1%. Just a few...
Read MoreRetirement Traps
Do you remember a board game called Mouse Trap? For a little boy that loved tinkering with things, it was the perfect mix of competition, science, and fun. I haven't played it for...
Read MoreThe Social Security Administration Announces 2021 COLA
On October 13, 2020, the Social Security Administration (SSA) officially announced that Social Security recipients will receive a 1.3 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2021. This adjustment will begin with...
Read MoreOctober Is Financial Planning Month
When training to become a financial professional, much of our course work centers on the six critical areas of creating a financial strategy. Some recognize October as Financial Planning Month, so it's an excellent...
Read MoreElection 2020: Economic Issues in the Crosshairs
It should come as no surprise to hear the economy is the top issue for voters in the 2020 election. Nearly 8 in ten voters say that the economy will be very important to them when they cast their votes. But when...
Read MoreRace for a Vaccine
A U.S. drug company recently said that it’s in late-stage trials for its coronavirus vaccine and reported that it could be given to Americans as early as the end of the year. Great news. But it seems like every...
Read MoreHome Improvements Trending Higher
Have you found yourself at your local hardware store more often this year? How about the closest Home Depot, or Menard's? I know I certainly have. Just this calendar year, we have installed 1,200 square feet of...
Read MoreFootball Is Back
Football is back, which means Summer is coming to a close, days will get shorter, and sweaters will soon be in play. This year, there was no pre-season, so...
Read MoreWhen the Fed Talks Inflation, Bond Investors Listen
Most recently, you may have read that Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell announced a change in how the Fed views inflation. In the past, the Fed said it would consider adjusting short-term rates when inflation...
Read MoreDow 30 Changes Its Starting Lineup
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), one of the most widely followed stock market indices, has made some key changes to its starting lineup. Salesforce.com, Amgen Inc. and Honeywell International Inc. have...
Read MoreStock Splits
Two high-profile companies—Apple and Tesla—have announced stock splits in the past few weeks, which makes it a great time to discuss what’s involved when a company announces a stock split. Remember, any companies...
Read MoreHappy Independence Day!
2020 is destined to become an indelible chapter in American history. In just six months, we have suffered a pandemic, encountered economic and financial disruption, and tackled civil justice issues. After all that, we deserve a...
Read MoreThe Present Father
As a father of two boys ages 5 and 3, I am continually reminded of the importance of being a present and involved father. I could provide numerous studies and statistics around this truth, but I would rather speak more from the heart...
Read MoreMemorial Day - The Medal of Honor
In honor of Memorial Day, I’d like to tell you a story about a man named Ben Salomon. Ben Salomon was a dentist. He went to school, got his degree, and started his own dental practice at the age of 23. The most trying ordeal he...
Read MoreA Mother's Love
Growing up we don’t realize the type of sacrifices that our mothers make for us on a daily basis. They are always the one that will forget about their own needs to serve and support their children. They never ask for any type of...
Read MoreEaster - Empty is good!
I have always loved Easter weekends as it is usually the first family gathering of the year for the traditional egg hunt, games, food, and all the festivities. Of course, this year is very different for all of us. Because of COVID 19,...
Read MoreImportant Provisions of the CARES Act
The CARES Act is designed “to provide emergency assistance and health care response for individuals, families, and businesses affected by the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.”3 Think of it as a kind of massive care package. Just...
Read MoreThe Coronavirus Correction
In late February, concern that efforts to contain Coronavirus Disease 2019 (a.k.a. COVID-19) might result in slower global economic growth disrupted global markets. Share prices fell as economists and financial analysts revised growth...
Read MoreThanksgiving may be good for your health!
Did you know that giving thanks – thinking of the blessings and happy moments you experience each day – can improve your life? According to the Mayo Clinic, positive thinking can actually make you healthier. The many...
Read MorePerspective from the beaches of Normandy
My family and I recently had the privilege of attending the Money Concepts financial planning conference in Normandy, France. What I found, while walking the area of Omaha Beach, is that it is difficult to put into words what happened there
Read MoreHighlights from The Global Leadership Summit 2019
Think about a time where you were influenced by somebody else, where maybe somebody said something that had a great impact on your life or just simply helped you in a time of need. When you think of that...
Read MoreQuarterly Lifestyle Newsletter - A Prescription for Dementia Prevention
A Prescription for Dementia Prevention If you’ve ever played a party game that asks you to make difficult decisions, you may have run into a question like this one: Would you rather enjoy good physical health all of your life or...
Read MoreHappy Birthday, America!
As we gather together with friends and family this 4th of July may we all be reminded of the cost of freedom.
Read MoreDear Dad, I think about you when...
I’m at the beach or doing something fun because if it weren’t for your courage, I would not have the opportunities that I have today! I consider what you did for our family not only courageous but also heroic because so...
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