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Eleven Ways to Help Yourself Stay Sane in a Crazy Market
Keeping your cool can be hard to do when the market goes on one of its periodic roller-coaster rides. It’s useful to have strategies in place that prepare you both financially and psychologically to handle market volatility. Here are 11 ways to help keep yourself from making hasty decisions that could have a long-term impact ... Eleven Ways to Help Yourself Stay Sane in a Crazy Market
Coronavirus – Week in Review
Well, there is no sugar coating the past two weeks in world stock markets or the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The big indexes are down 20% from recent February highs. The coronavirus and the economic implications of reduced normal daily activity are very real. Driving to work this morning, the roads were quiet. Families are altering ... Coronavirus – Week in Review
Sharply higher open, futures up “limit.”
This morning’s gains come after one of the biggest one-day declines in stock market history yesterday that dragged the S&P 500 Index into bear market territory, ending the longest bull market in history. Traders are taking their cues this morning from improving prospects for a stimulus package out of Washington, expectations of more policy responses from global central banks, ... Sharply higher open, futures up “limit.”
Coronavirus Commentary: Thoughts Regarding the Ongoing Volatility
We’d like to offer you our latest thoughts regarding the ongoing volatility in the markets due to the coronavirus. By the end of February, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 14% from its high point just a couple weeks earlier. The scale and speed of the recent equity losses were stunning. Still, we were ... Coronavirus Commentary: Thoughts Regarding the Ongoing Volatility
What is a Cash Balance Plan?
A cash balance plan is a mix between a traditional defined benefit pension plan and a defined contribution plan (such as a 401(k). A cash plan allows workers to have the option of a lifetime annuity. In my most cases, employers will contribute a set portion of a participant’s salary to the plan each year ... What is a Cash Balance Plan?
The Coronavirus & the Markets
Given the recent volatility in the markets, we want to provide you with our most recent thoughts on headlines pertaining to the coronavirus and its effect on the markets. A Brief History In late January, when news of the epidemic initially started to break, the stock market experienced several big drops. However, it bounced back ... The Coronavirus & the Markets
Handling Market Volatility
Conventional wisdom says that what goes up must come down. But even if you view market volatility as a normal occurrence, it can be tough to handle when your money is at stake. Though there’s no foolproof way to handle the ups and downs of the stock market, the following common-sense tips can help. Don’t ... Handling Market Volatility
A Closer Look At Election Years
2020 is off to a roaring start, picking up right where 2019 left off. Many investors are eyeing the upcoming presidential election as an impending storm for the stock market. In the four-year presidential cycle, pre-election years have tended to be the strongest for stocks, as sitting presidents have taken measures to boost the economy ... A Closer Look At Election Years
Redefining Retirement: Take Our Free Assessment
As a wealth management firm, our objective is to not only help clients reach their goals, but also define those goals as well. For instance, if one of your goals is to retire at age 62, we could not help you actually achieve that goal unless we know what “retirement” means to you. Often that ... Redefining Retirement: Take Our Free Assessment
Paying the Bills: Potential Sources of Retirement Income
Planning your retirement income is like putting together a puzzle with many different pieces. One of the first steps in the process is to identify all potential income sources and estimate how much you can expect each one to provide. Social Security According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), nearly 9 of 10 people aged ... Paying the Bills: Potential Sources of Retirement Income
What Mideast Escalation Means for Markets
The U.S. airstrike that killed the top Iranian military commander last week was a major escalation in Mideast tensions. In fact, it would be difficult to overstate the geopolitical significance of this action. Iran likely will retaliate, possibly with attacks on American military personnel overseas. We cannot dismiss the risk that the situation may escalate ... What Mideast Escalation Means for Markets
Key Estate Planning Documents You Need
There are five estate planning documents you may need, regardless of your age, health, or wealth: 1. Durable power of attorney 2. Advance medical directives 3. Will 4. Letter of instruction 5. Living trust The last document, a living trust, isn’t always necessary, but it’s included here because it’s a vital component of many estate ... Key Estate Planning Documents You Need