The 4th quarter of 2022 was a difficult year for stocks and bonds, but there are several silver linings. What might be next for rates and inflation? What do economists say about whether there will be a recession or not? What are updated expected 10-year returns for stocks and bonds? (hint: there’s good news). How is the crypto currency crash similar to the Dutch tulip craze of the 1600’s, and…
If you aren’t asking the right questions, you won’t get the best answers. When you change the questions you ask yourself, you can change your life. And the financial dimension of your life is no exception. Use the following 10 questions to help clarify your direction, establish meaningful milestones, and solidify a commitment to getting where you want to go. 1) How would having clear life goals impact your life? When your goals are…
The threat of a recession continues to be one of the most pressing concerns for investors. Inflation has proved hard to restrain, and the Federal Reserve continues to raise interest rates. Disagreement on recession likelihood Whether the U.S. will fall into a recession is still uncertain, and a subject of debate amongst experts. According to a recent UCLA Anderson Forecast, the U.S. is not currently in a recession, and the chance…
You’re embracing the idea of a midlife gap year. You’re picturing the landscapes, culture, and bucket list experiences in your mind. But unattended business is holding you back from peak excitement. You need proper insurance in case something goes wrong. When you’re taking a career break it’s tempting to ignore that responsible voice in your head. But if you do, this thrilling chapter of your life will be written with unnecessary…
We’re all aware of the phrase “money can’t buy happiness.” But how much weight does it really hold? After all, our finances play a pivotal role in how we’re able to provide for ourselves, our families, and our communities. Money clearly doesn’t solve every problem. Many of our relationships are priceless. And no matter how much money you have, you can never buy more time. So it’s critical that we…
Helping Ukraine is the primary focus of many right now, and you may be rushing to direct your charitable giving to the country and its people. You may also want to aid businesses, schools, and organizations trying to recover from COVID-19. Maybe supporting weather-devastated areas razed from fires, earthquakes, and hurricanes is a top priority for you. Add in cause-driven and political contributions along with tithing to religious institutions, and…
Is inflation on your mind? It would be surprising if it weren’t. While we all have to weather inflation’s short-term effects, we have reason for optimism over the long term. Here’s a look at where we are right now. Inflation, labor shortages, and supply chains The effects of nearly two years of the pandemic compounded by the Omicron variant’s impact hamper economic recovery as we face labor shortages, supply chain…
Retirement contribution limits increase for 2022 Employees will be able to save more in 2022 with the IRS increases to retirement plan contribution limits. You can defer an additional $1,000 through payroll deduction in 2022. This means you can contribute up to $20,500. One way to accelerate your path to financial independence is to make sure you are taking advantage of the tax-deferred contributions and compounding growth available through your retirement plan(s). Which of these…
