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Dollars and Degrees: The Cost of Education
Dollars and Degrees: The Cost of Education
Read MoreAfter Inflation, Eyes Shift to Q3 GDP
How is the economy actually doing and what impact does that have on you
Read MorePowell's Jackson Hole Speech Unsettles Markets
Behind the shift to Money Market for yield
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: September Stocks Open In Positive Territory
Weekly Market Insights: September Stocks Open In Positive Territory
Read MoreWasn't There Supposed to be a Recession?
In advance of 2023, the recession was imminent. Market pundits warned as the Fed raised interest rates, the economy would enter a recession. It’s July now, and so far, no recession. It looks more like we are heading to expansion.
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The Importance of Having a Will
From the headlines, Iconic Aretha Franklin's Estate is embattled due to improper estate planning. A little bit of good planning ensures your intentions are met and your legacy prevails. Every family should have these important documents.
Read MoreWhy the Fed Can't Figure Out the Jobs Market
Why the Fed Can't Figure Out the Jobs Market
Read MoreThe Most Unloved Bull Market in History?
Are we in a recession or in a bull market?
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Debt Talks Optimism Keeps Eyes on D.C.
What is going on in the Markets week of May 29th 2023
Read MoreMarket Timing Is Exhausting
Market timing must be exhausting. Always moving in and out of the markets based on economic analysis or business headlines must be so challenging.The accompanying chart shows that money held in money market mutual funds rose to $5.1...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Banking Crisis Fears Dim; Markets Rally
Weekly Market Insights: Banking Crisis Fears Dim; Markets Rally Week of April 3, 2023
Read MoreFed Chair Powell Can't Keep a Secret
How the Fed Chairman is telegraphing policy
Read MoreFDIC Insurance, SVB & Signature Bank
When banks enter financial trouble, how does FDIC help?
Read MoreInflation Is Trending Lower. Now What?
The December inflation report had some encouraging news. It showed that consumer prices trended lower for the month, but more importantly, it confirmed that overall prices have been trending lower for the past six months.Now the ball...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Mixed Feelings and Mixed Earnings
Stocks drifted lower as a week of mixed earnings reports and resurgent worries over Fed monetary policy dragged on investor sentiment. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.17%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 declined...
Read MoreWords of Wisdom from Warren Buffett
The stock market can provide some head-scratching moments, which is why I like Warren Buffet’s quote, “...don’t watch the market closely.”Stocks have been strong this year, and they rallied sharply before...
Read MoreSECURE Act 2.0: An Overview
In the final days of 2022, Congress passed a new set of retirement rules designed to make it easier to contribute to retirement plans and access those funds earmarked for retirement.The law is called SECURE 2.0, and it's a follow-up to...
Read MoreHow the Fed Has Navigated World Events
How the Fed Has Navigated World Events
Read MoreConsiderations During Medicare’s Open Enrollment
MediCare open enrollment runs from November 1st through January 15th. How to approach if you are eligible this year.
Read MoreRecession or Growth Scare? Your Guide
Recession or Growth Scare? Your Guide
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Markets Sag, Job Numbers Soar
Weekly Market Insights: Markets Sag, Job Numbers Soar
Read MoreThree Ways the Inflation Act Could Impact You
How might the Inflation Act Impact You? Most of the provisions do not directly address inflation. So what does it do?
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Markets Tap Brakes, But Hold Fast Against Downbeat News
Weekly Market Insights: Markets Tap Brakes, But Hold Fast Against Downbeat News
Read MoreWhat's This Talk About a Recession?
Recession talk and how to approach
Read MoreWhen bears are loud, consider this
How to deal with bearish commentary and maintain your portfolio's direction
Read More3 Shrewd Maneuvers in a Down Market
How to maneuver in a volatile market
Read MoreHow to Keep Your Identity Safe
In case you didn’t know, June is National Internet Safety Month. With nearly 4 billion people on social media worldwide, plus the risks of using online brokerage and bank accounts, the need for digital security has never been...
Read MoreWhat Story Is the P/E Telling?
Price Earnings ratios and how it affects your investments.
Read MoreWill the GDP Report Suggest a Recession?
Upcoming GDP Report and what it means for economy.
Read MoreHow to Buy I Bonds Direct from the Treasury
If interested in purchasing I Bonds, here is how you can achieve it.
Read MoreDirect Indexing- What is It? Why it matters?
Direct Indexing-a new trend in Investment products and offerings. What is it? Why does it matter?
Read More2021 Retirement Confidence Survey
2021 Retirement Confidence Survey
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: COVID-19 Variant Clobbers Markets
News of a new, highly virulent COVID variant triggered a market sell-off on Friday, sending stocks into negative territory for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 1.97%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 slumped 2...
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 (IRAs)...
Read MoreTax Changes: What's In, What's Out?
While it’s still too early to draw any final conclusions, Congress is getting closer to outlining what tax law changes are under consideration to pay for the proposed $1.75 trillion Build Back Better Plan.1For now, it appears...
Read MoreAre Capital Gains Taxes Changing?
There are a lot of questions about President Biden’s Build Back Better plan and potential tax law changes, including an adjustment to capital gains taxes.One of the proposals Congress is considering sets the top rate for taxing...
Read MoreEstate Taxes May Be Amended Soon
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.One of the proposals would reduce the estate tax exemption to...
Read MoreA Dividend of Confidence
The most recent stats on corporate dividends suggest that global companies are bullish on the world’s economic recovery.Dividends paid to investors are on track to hit $1.4 trillion this year and are expected to stretch even...
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 MoreWeekly Market Insights: Wild Week of Contagion Concerns
Stocks prices were whipsawed last week, dragged initially lower by financial contagion worries and later lifted by a supportive Fed policy statement.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.62%, while the Standard & Poor’s...
Read MoreMaking Sense of Seemingly Inconsistent Numbers
It can be incredibly difficult to make sense of data. A report coming from one body may tell you one thing, and another report might seem to offer a wholly different perspective.Such is the case with August’s jobs numbers from...
Read MoreMixed Signals on Inflation
Are you having a tough time keeping track of inflation's mixed signals? You’re not alone.Consumer prices in July climbed at their fastest rate since August 2008. Worse, producer prices, which can be an indicator of future price...
Read MoreHurricane IDA update
We pray you and your families are safe following Hurricane IDA. Our offices are up and running per our business continuity plan. Should you need to contact us, please call our office any time at 225-300-4810. We are here to serve even...
Read MoreOil Prices Hit Six-Year High
On July 6, oil prices reached a six-year high of $76.98 a barrel. This benchmark came as the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies failed to reach an agreement regarding an increase in production.1This...
Read MoreA 6.1% Bump in Social Security?
The news keeps getting better for Social Security recipients.It's now projected that benefits will increase 6.1% in 2022, up from the 4.7% forecast just two months ago. That would be the most significant increase since 1983.1...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Stocks Reach All-Time Highs
Stocks reached new all-time highs last week as markets staged a strong rebound from the previous week’s declines.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 3.44%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 picked up 2.74%. The Nasdaq...
Read MoreSummer Travel is Back!
summer travel is back with a vengeance. Economy and people are ready for normal again.
Read MoreThe Fed’s Taper Rehearsal
The talk is of tapering, and it’s making investors nervous. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) released the minutes of its April meeting last week. What will Fed do with bond purchases?
Read MoreBuffett and Powell Talk Inflation
What does it mean when two of the most powerful voices in American financial life seem to be saying two different things?In one corner, we have the “Oracle of Omaha,” investor Warren Buffett. As one of the nation’s...
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