Blog
Hello and welcome to our Blog Page. While we will make every attempt to post about interesting content in the Financial World, we also want to make sure to provide you with interesting content that helps you in everyday life. I hope you enjoy the content and we certainly appreciate your time. Stay tuned!
SOCK DRAWER SAVINGS
Whatever you call it, stash, cabbage, petty cash, etc., it is a good idea to have some mullah for the what-if scenarios. Here is an article in the WSJ that discusses what amount is appropriate. HOW MUCH SHOULD I KEEP IN THE HOUSE
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Weekly Market Insights: Stocks End Summer with Gloomy News
Rising bond yields and fears of a government shutdown hammered stocks last week, with technology shares bearing the brunt of the retreat. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.89%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 dropped 2.93%...
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Weekly Market Insights: Stocks Retreat; Powell Talk Goes Hawk
Stocks fluctuated last week, jostled by fitful bond yields and headline news, before ending strongly following Fed Chair Powell’s comments on the monetary outlook. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.45%, while the...
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A Pullback for Stock Prices in August
Nobody ever said you have to like a pullback in stock prices. But it's critical to understand 1) why they happen and 2) why they are challenging. A pullback is considered a moderate drop in prices from recent peaks that occur within a...
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Weekly Market Insights: Summertime Blues for the Markets
Positive inflation data failed to lift stocks from their August doldrums last week as economic data and a ratings downgrade soured investor sentiment. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.62%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...
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Weekly Market Insights: Stocks Raise White Flag to Bad News
Stocks retreated last week as bond yields increased following the Treasury's announcement indicating “a larger-than-expected funding need” and a downgrade in the federal government’s debt rating. The Dow Jones...
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Weekly Market Insights: Stocks Jump After Inflation Gauge Cools
A Friday surge pushed stocks solidly into positive territory last week, ignited by cooling in an inflation gauge closely tracked by the Federal Reserve. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 0.66%, while the Standard &...
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Weekly Market Insights: Stocks Advance and Retreat on Mixed News
Stocks moved to the rhythm of earnings season last week, initially rising on positive earnings surprises and faltering later in the week on key earnings disappointments. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.08%, while the...
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Why the Drop in Inflation Was Such a Big Deal
Sometimes, a picture is worth 1,000 words. So I decided to include an image of the June Consumer Price Index (CPI) report to help put inflation in better perspective: Core CPI, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, rose just...
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Weekly Market Insights: Bad News for Bears; Good News Buoys Markets
Better-than-expected updates last week on consumer and wholesale price inflation buoyed investor sentiment, driving stocks higher and lower bond yields. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.29%, while the Standard &...
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Weekly Market Insights: Stocks Stumble with CPI on Deck
Rising concerns about further rate hikes sent stocks lower to kick off the second half of trading.The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.96%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 retreated 1.16%. The Nasdaq Composite index...
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Weekly Market Insights: Stocks Take Summer Break, Month Remains Strong
Stocks took a breather last week as investors digested the previous week’s surge and the month-to-date solid gains.The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.67%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 fell 1.39%. The Nasdaq...
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Weekly Market Insights: Markets March into Positive Territory Continues.
A late-week rally sent stocks into positive territory, with the S&P 500 index closing just shy of the 4,300 mark.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.34%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 added 0.39%. The Nasdaq Composite...
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Who are the Fed and Treasury?
As an economist comparing the Federal Reserve and the Treasury Department, it's essential to understand their respective roles and functions within the United States government. The Federal Reserve, often referred to as the Fed, is the...
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Weekly Market Insights: Despite Stall, Debt Deal Optimism Cheers Markets
Stocks rallied last week, propelled by growing optimism over reaching a deal on raising the debt ceiling and avoiding a technical debt default by the U.S.The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged 0.38% higher, while the Standard &...
Read MoreWill I get my Social Security Check if the US Defaults?
Dude, Where's my Social Security Check?
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Weekly Market Insights: Attention Turns to the Debt Ceiling
Stocks were mixed last week as good inflation news was offset by mounting debt ceiling concerns and rekindled regional banking fears.The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.11%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 slipped 0.29%. The...
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Wall Street Focuses on Debt Ceiling
Would it surprise you to hear that investors have moved past worrying about inflation? They have, at least for now.Wall Street has shifted its attention to Washington’s budget negotiations and how the debt ceiling will be...
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Weekly Market Insights: Friday Rally Trims Losses; CPI Report Next Week
A Friday rebound, triggered by a big tech company’s earnings beat and a strong jobs report, shaved much of the week’s accumulated losses.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.24%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...
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Uncle Sam: Steward of our Tax dollars?
Today is tax day in the United States and I don't know about you but when I write a check I like to know to who I am giving my money. Sure the Payee is the Internal Revenue Service, but who is this Uncle Sam fella? Funny you should ask...
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Emergency Funds
How much money should I have in case of an emergency? It depends.....let's talk.
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Weekly Market Insights: Markets Cautious After Banking Woes; Awaiting Fed Reaction
Amid the reverberations of two U.S. banks being taken over by regulators and the spread of uncertainty to European banks, stocks trended higher last week on the strength of the technology sector.The Dow Jones Industrial Average was...
Read MoreTax-efficient Retirement Withdrawal Strategy
A tax-efficient retirement withdrawal strategy can help you maximize the after-tax income you receive during retirement. Here are some tips for a tax-efficient retirement withdrawal strategy:Understand how taxes will affect your...
Read MoreRetirement Timeline and Spending
Retirement spending timeline refers to planning and organizing your finances during retirement. It involves determining how much money you need to save and invest during your working years to ensure that you have enough income to...
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Have You Enrolled in Medicare Part D or a Medicare Advantage Plan?
Have you enrolled in Medicare, or are you considering it? If so, you should know that anyone who receives Medicare is eligible to receive Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage.However, if you don’t enroll for that coverage...
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