Finally! For the first time in more than four years, on September 18, the Federal Reserve (Fed) cut interest rates. While the debate over how big the cut would be was settled (a half point, not a quarter), questions about where the Fed will go from here and what it might mean for the economy … Continued
Kids across the country recently went back to school (with many parents rejoicing). And as my wife and I help our children each night with their homework, and test preparation, I am reminded about a few of the tests the U.S. economy and stock market have passed recently. When the economy and markets are tested, … Continued
Stocks must have gotten the memo that August tends to be weak historically. July, the eighth positive month in the past nine, was quickly forgotten as the beginning of August greeted us with a selloff. The primary catalyst was last week’s weaker-than-expected employment report, which ignited concern that the U.S. economy could tip into recession. … Continued
San Luis Obispo, CA — Ryan Olson, independent LPL Financial advisor, and founder of Mustang Private Wealth based in San Luis Obispo, today announced their inclusion in LPL’s Patriot’s Club for the 6th year in a row. This elite award is presented to less than 7% of the firm’s more than 21,000 financial advisors nationwide*. … Continued
After a strong first quarter for stocks, some April showers rained down as the S&P 500 fell about 4% last month. And May has been a strong month (so far), despite the widely cited stock market adage, “Sell in May and go away.” There is some merit to this old adage because the S&P 500’s … Continued
April is not just about tax season and springtime. Since 2004, April has also been Financial Literacy Month throughout the U.S. Some states also recognize it, such as Arkansas, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Texas.1 This celebratory month began as Youth Financial Literacy Day, an effort to educate young people about key financial concepts that are often … Continued
Mom-and-pop shops have always been the cornerstone of our economic communities, especially the smaller ones. These entities consist of smaller, commonly family-owned-and-operated businesses focusing on a more personalized approach to customer service, interacting with them and customizing their merchandise or service to fit the community’s needs. Mom-and-pop shops are fixtures in their local regions in … Continued
Inflation impacts today’s savings rates and tomorrow’s retirement comfort Inflation, the silent force shaping our economic landscape, often creeps into our lives unnoticed until its effects become palpable. Its impact on retirement planning, in particular, underscores its double-edged nature. As the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recently reported, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban … Continued
You are finally retired after a lifetime of hard work, juggling responsibilities, and managing stress. During the pre-retirement phase, you did some planning, excited with the prospect of checking off that long list of all the things you would do once you retired. Then, it arrives, retirement! You initially enter into what new retirees have … Continued
While women are sometimes considered to be more reluctant to invest than their male counterparts, when they do invest, they tend to outperform males and often get a greater overall return. Interestingly, this initial perceived reluctance often works in the women investor’s favor. Read on to learn a few of the reasons women are considered … Continued
Tips to position yourself to better navigate an evolving financial landscape In the world of investing, the ebb and flow of global financial conditions are critical indicators, often steering the course for savvy investors. Currently, the financial landscape is presenting an intriguing scenario, as conditions are deemed the most favorable since August. The speculative anticipation … Continued
As high-net-worth individuals navigate the complexities of financial planning during their working years, one critical aspect often goes overlooked—long-term care. In 2021, the median monthly cost of a private room in a nursing home facility was more than $9,000 per month. At a rate of close to $100,000 per year, even the most diligent savers … Continued
Many IRA and retirement plan limits are indexed for inflation each year. Several of these key numbers have increased once again for 2024. How much can you save in an IRA? The maximum amount you can contribute to a traditional IRA or a Roth IRA in 2024 will be $7,000 (or 100% of your earned … Continued
The Return of “The Magnificent Seven” “The Magnificent Seven,” a cinematic triumph in 1960, mirrored the resonance of audience adoration and critical acclaim. Emerging as one of the year’s highest-grossing films, it solidified its place not just as a commercial success but as a cherished Western classic. The film’s timeless narrative of valor, unity, and … Continued
As one approaches retirement, monitoring your financial situation by understanding your net worth and assessing the assets and resources needed to maintain a comfortable lifestyle throughout retirement is vital. This article explores eight key financial wellness metrics individuals must monitor as they approach retirement. 1. Income Replacement RatioOne of the primary financial wellness metrics is … Continued
While you never know your needs as you age, the first step is thinking about your financial situation and health today so you can plan for your later years. With a one in four chance of making it to our 90th birthday, being independent and thriving as we age is something to pursue. Here are … Continued
The new year is fast approaching, and it is a good time for small business owners to make some financial resolutions to help lead them toward a solid financial path. Whether your business is just starting or you have been running it for decades, the new year is the time to review your financial situation … Continued
When it comes to financial bad habits, the most common are also well known — don’t spend too much, don’t take on unsustainable debt, and avoid living paycheck to paycheck. But what happens once you’ve implemented this advice and still aren’t getting ahead? Here are five overlooked financial bad habits that could be draining your … Continued
The new year is fast approaching, and it is the perfect time to set up resolutions for your business. Whether you want to increase your sales, gather a more extensive customer base, or just accomplish needed business improvements, below are a few goals to help you get started. 1. Beef Up Your Online Presence Your … Continued
As the end of the year approaches, investors need to focus on tax-related considerations, particularly regarding capital gains. Year-end tax planning can help investors manage their overall tax liability while seeking to manage investments for suitable tax outcomes. In this article, we explore four key tax planning areas for capital gains: what it is, tax … Continued
If you’re a business owner, you are likely the Chief Everything Officer at work and have many responsibilities. A business owner’s situation is unique since they are asset-rich and cash-poor since their wealth is in their business-literally. Regardless of the income a business generates, the ages of the owners, or how many employees it has, … Continued
The end of the year can be a chaotic time for business owners. It is a time to compile data, review the numbers, evaluate strengths and weaknesses, and determine growth opportunities for the future. A business owner would be keen to review several factors in preparing year-end documents and preparing for the following year. Here … Continued
A 401(k) plan is one of the most popular and effective techniques for saving for your retirement. A company will automatically withdraw and contribute money from each paycheck to your 401(k) plan. Some employers will even match a percentage of the contribution. Are you maximizing these contributions? There are also limits on how much you … Continued
Although achieving your financial goals is more challenging than following a step-by-step recipe, a few common ingredients and preparation methods may help improve your ability to manage financial resources. Here is one recipe for a tasty Financial Dish. Ingredients One cup of clear financial goals Two cups of smart budgeting 3/4 cup of consistent saving … Continued
What is it? According to the IRS, you are self-employed if you carry on a trade or business as a sole proprietor, as an independent contractor, as a member of a partnership, or if you are otherwise in business for yourself. You can be a full-time employee and still have self-employment income from a side … Continued
A trust is a legal vehicle that protects your assets that contains instructions for your assets when you die or become incapacitated. When you set up a trust, you transfer assets from your name into your trust’s name while you still retain control of the assets until you die.
We’re officially in the season to thanksgiving and while economic and geopolitical uncertainty can overshadow the positives, there are always things to be grateful for. Here is just some of what we’re thankful for, now that we’re in the second to last month of the year. A resilient U.S. economy. Coming into 2023, the dreaded … Continued
High Net-Worth executives and those that have been self-employed, can experience common problems in their financial planning journey. Often, they have missed opportunities in their financial planning because they haven’t planned adequately for their retirement even though they make a high income. It’s easy to think that everything will work out with their retirement plan, … Continued
If you find yourself wavering back and forth on whether it’s worth involving a financial professional for tax, retirement, or investment advice, consider this: A financial professional may be able to help defend you against crime and fraud (like Batman). What’s more, they may also help you heal from financial mistakes more quickly (like Wolverine) … Continued
In these uncertain times, the value of objective financial guidance cannot be overestimated. The importance of the financial profession has never been more apparent. Regulatory changes initiated well before any of us had even heard the phrase “social distancing” are now in effect, establishing a new landscape that governs the relationship between those who seek … Continued
Tips to help you find a financial professional and financial planning firm The financial professional and financial planning firm you pick to manage your assets and advise you on key financial decisions can affect your retirement and other major financial goals more, maybe, than even you. So it’s imperative that you make an appropriate choice … Continued
For some people, the thought of using financial services is a scary experience. It involves planning for a future where you may not know how the economy may be, how your health may be, or what your financial needs might be. One of the reasons that many people find planning out their finances intimidating is … Continued
Making economic forecasts and stock market predictions can be humbling. It’s especially tough when you expect stocks to go higher and get a big drop instead. The environment today is the opposite, but still tricky, as recession hasn’t followed the chorus of predictions. In some ways, figuring out what to do now that stocks have … Continued
Looking back on the first half of 2023, it’s probably fair to say the outcome has been a bit better-than-expected for the stock and bond markets, especially compared to 2022’s tumult. Here are the major points have we learned through the first half of the year: Inflation’s path is not endlessly higher. The return to … Continued
Every so often Washington likes to remind us how hard it can be to get things accomplished. The most recent example is the debt ceiling—the amount Congress can borrow to pay its bills. It seems like we have this debate every few years and in the end a deal is made, which is just what … Continued
Spring is often thought of as an uplifting time, marked by growth and renewed hope as we emerge from the long months of winter and look ahead to the rest of year. Investors saw signs of such renewed hope in recent weeks, especially on the inflation front as several inflation measures showed signs of improvement. … Continued
The financial markets’ resilient performance during March was striking, despite pockets of uncertainty surrounding the strength of the economy—and not to mention concerns over the durability of the banking system. The ability of the market to navigate nearly two weeks of headline-related risk tested the underlying resolve of the market’s capacity to look ahead. Moreover, … Continued
Have you ever been worried to do something, so fearful that you lose sleep, that your stomach hurts? You know, like give a presentation or get on a rollercoaster. Then, you do the thing, and that thing you were so scared of really bad, wasn’t terrible at all? Well, we’re kind of in one of … Continued
The beginning of a calendar year is often the time when the previous year’s reflections transition to a new year’s hopes. Given the market’s continued instability during 2022 and a resulting tough period for stock and bond prices, everyone is hoping for a fresh start. And history gives us cause for optimism following a difficult … Continued
