When stock market performance outpaces expectations for an extended period, as it has recently, the anticipation of a market correction (a drop of 10% of more) can worry investors. But, should you be concerned? After all, significant drops in the stock markets are fairly common, as are rebounds and new highs. While market fundamentals play a large role in these fluctuations, so does investor sentiment. This makes it impossible to…
What is one of your big life goals? What’s a wild dream you’d like to achieve? When you’re in the midst of peak busyness, you may feel you can’t go after what you desire. Not true! As we head into the last few months of 2021, now is the perfect time to reflect on what you want to accomplish, not only through the end of the year, but in 2022 and…
What are investor expectations about market returns are moving forward, and why they are unreasonably high relative to the expectations of financial professionals. What a recent study shows about financial lessons learned from the pandemic. How is the fed changing its stimulation plans. Inflation jumped, and is causing debate. Three times the level of volatility risk is projected to be required for the same level of return vs. 20 years…
There has been a lot of talk lately about inflation, in great part because inflation has been so low for so long, but recently had a small spike. Unfortunately, when inflation is low, investors tend to forget it is a “sleeper risk,” gradually eroding their purchasing power and lowering after-inflation returns. Below are thoughts to consider. Why does monetary policy matter when it comes to inflation? Historically, periods of major…
Vaccines picked up speed but are hitting some bumps, spring fever and more spending is in the air, all of that and big stimulus is causing markets to continue to defy the pandemic, but diversification still matters. See a dynamic video showing how the top-10 stocks in the S&P 500 has changed over last 20 years (hint.. a lot!). Learn how interest rate increases can hurt bond returns. See a…
As you reach certain midlife milestones, you gain opportunities to save more money, whether through tax-deferred vehicles or identifying key expenses where you may be overpaying. Business owners also have a chance to bounce back from what may have been a slower year in 2020 with some favorable tax rules. Which of these options can you take advantage of this year? Delay tax payments Business owners who had a down…
If you’re a Gen X-er, it’s likely your life is starting to look very different than it did in your early years when you were just beginning your career and starting a family. Now you’ve made significant headway in your career, earn a higher income, and have amassed significantly more wealth. Your children may be approaching the age where they can begin driving or they’re getting ready for college. You may also have…
The IRS released the dollar limits for 2021 qualified retirement plan contributions. For 2021, employees’ and owners’ ability to defer compensation and invest for their future remains about the same as 2020. Because of low inflation, most of the common contribution levels were left unchanged, with defined contribution total dollar amounts (from employee and employer contributions combined) increasing by only $1,000. Although individual contribution levels have not increased, super savers ,who focus…
