Blog

What if you focused on your system instead of just your goals? Setting goals for a new year can feel overwhelming.  We all know that resolutions don’t last, but we also feel the energy that comes with a new year of possibilities. Here’s a clearer path for setting and reaching your goals. Many of us love complex processes. Intricacies of a large spreadsheet really get our brain going and we can spend lots of time deeply analyzing financial questions. Maybe. But when we try to ap

Financial wellness is living a healthy economic life for yourself and feeling good about your financial situation. It is also an essential part of taking care of yourself and those around you. Financial wellness can mean different things for different people when it comes to your finances. However, financial wellness encompasses these key areas: Taking control of your money before it controls you.Determining how safe your money is.Planning what to do with your money. Financial wellness can lea

We wish you a happy New Year and hope you were able to close out 2022 with friends and family. 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 year. While each new year brings its own unique circumst

The past decade has seen a massive surge in digital transformation, and the next ten years promise to be no different. In 2023, we will see many new technologies take center stage that has the potential to reshape our lives drastically. From AI-driven automation and robotics to autonomous vehicles, hyperloop transport systems, blockchain technology adoption, and 5G network deployment – there are endless possibilities for how these advances can improve our lives in the future. AI is one of

The idea that there are no future facts is an important concept in understanding why predictions about extremely complex systems like the weather and markets do so poorly.1 This concept was first introduced by the philosopher David Hume in 1748 and was based on Aristotle's concept of the "law of contradiction.2" Hume argued that since cause and effect are not known until they have happened, there are no future facts. This idea has major implications for predicting the future, parti

Unlocking American Productivity: Exploring the Deflationary Effects of Technology Leaps in AI, Autonomous Vehicles, Robotics and Additive (3D) Manufacturing...

'Tis a burden, a grind, for young adults to bear, Money problems weigh down on their new lives.When you're fresh out of school, you feel the despair, As student loans pile up and dreams take flight. The future seems foggy, uncertain of course,No jobs in sight, despite their best attempts.In a world so complex, it's a constant source, Of stress for the graduates, with no reprieve's a struggle to make ends meet, that's for sure,In an economy that's tight and unkind...

Recent graduates with advanced degrees often find themselves in the difficult position of having to budget their finances. This is especially true for those who have taken out student loans to finance their schooling. With the cost of living increasing, it is important for these recent graduates to keep track of their expenses in order to stay within their budget. This is where expense tracking and budgeting software can come in handy. Financial planning software like iWealthConnectTM and eMoney

As a new graduate school student, budgeting can be a stressful and daunting task. Managing student loan debt and allocating funds for different expenses can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right approach, dedication, and assistance from a financial planner, budgeting can be simplified and become a much less daunting task.  Savings is an important part of budgeting for any graduate school student. It is important to have a plan for both short-term cash savings and

Student loans are a form of financial aid that can help individuals pay for college expenses, such as tuition, fees, books, and living expenses. They are typically provided by the federal government, state governments, or private lenders. Student loans are a great way to bridge the gap between what students can afford and the rising costs of higher education. When considering whether to take out a student loan, it is important to understand the basics of the loan and the potential for repayment.

Through all the challenges, newfound opportunities, and every high and low we've experienced during the last couple of years, it's no surprise why we might be striving for more balance. Whether it's about the markets and global economy or what's happening in our local communities, the news we're hearing on a daily basis has the potential to disrupt the balance of our lives. But with resilience, perspective, and the support of close connections, we can navigate ...

October is now behind us and it has delivered on its track record as a historically favorable month for stocks, offering some respite for investors as major equity indices rose for the month. The downside pressure on equities had gotten a bit overdone after investor pessimism during September reached lows not witnessed in quite a few years. From a contrarian perspective, extreme pessimism can often be followed by a market bounce. Such a reaction can serve as a reminder not to react too quickly t

In the last several weeks, we have continued to face elevated uncertainty in financial markets due to high inflation and rising interest rates, and we thought it was an important time to take stock with the final quarter of 2022 just ahead.It has been a difficult year, not only for investors but also for households and businesses as we all navigate higher prices and borrowing costs. There will be some challenges ahead for the economy as the Federal Reserve (Fed) continues to raise rates to contr

When it comes to stock market performance, August was “the best of times, and the worst of times.” The strong market rally that peaked in mid-August was viewed by many analysts as a transition from a bear to bull market, based on the surge in breadth that stocks enjoyed and the magnitude of the two-month rally that began in mid-June totaling 17%. The market rebound and overall bullish sentiment began in earnest when Federal Reserve (Fed) Chairman Jerome Powell suggested at the late J

Saving money when planning a trip—the dos, the don’ts. Imagine coming home refreshed from a wonderful vacation, made even more satisfying because you saved 20%-30% on its cost. That can happen. With a little planning, a trip can become notably cheaper. When you travel can make a difference. Book a trip during the off-season or the “shoulder seasons” adjoining it. Hotels and air carriers hike their prices in peak season, so avoid that time. The same goes for how you travel

Identity theft compromises the personal data of millions of Americans every year. There are steps you can take to minimize your online risk and protect your sensitive data from cyber-attacks...

Last week was epic for market-watchers. A Federal Reserve (Fed) rate hike, a much-anticipated gross domestic product (GDP) report, and the busiest week of earnings season got most of the headlines. There was even a surprise out of Washington D.C., with a Schumer-Manchin agreement on a climate-healthcare-tax bill and some inflation data that added to the evidence that inflation has peaked. Stocks expressed approval of this news, securing its second straight solidly positive week. The S&P 500

Life Insurance Can Help Provide Confidence about the future...

Markets rarely give us clear skies, and there are always threats to watch for on the horizon. But the right preparation, context, and support can help us navigate what lies ahead. So far, this year hasn’t seen a full-blown crisis like 2008-2009 or 2020, but the ride has been very bumpy. We may not be flying into a storm, but there’s been plenty of turbulence. How businesses, households, and central banks steer through the rough air will set the tone for markets over the second half o