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Guidance for Life's Dreams. Our mission statement is part of our logo. The relationship we build with our clients is to help them navigate through life's challenges. Sometimes it's more than money management. This blog will provide a place for us to share what's on our mind, what events might be shaping our decisions, and how we can work together to fully understand your own financial situation. 

Monday, May 4, 2026

Stocks advanced last week as investors moved past stalled progress in Middle East peace talks and refocused on corporate earnings.

Thursday, March 12, 2026

Speculators are not expecting an adjustment to the short-term rates, but Fed Chair Jerome Powell will almost certainly be asked a question or two about the Middle East in his post-meeting press conference.

Tuesday, February 10, 2026

The Internal Revenue Service recently released new IRA limits for 2026. No major changes, there are some minor elements to note.

Tuesday, December 16, 2025

As you can see, job creation at small firms has come to a halt. The Fed has what’s called a dual mandate: stable prices and maximum employment. And right now, employment is heavier than inflation on the Fed’s balancing scale.

Monday, November 17, 2025

“Wall Street climbs a wall of worry”—a quote that is often attributed to Warren Buffett. He didn’t say it, but he sure believed it.

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Thursday, October 30, 2025

The September Consumer Price Index report, which was released on October 24, was the first major federal economic report since the shutdown began on October 1.

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

The IRS announced new federal income tax brackets and standard deductions for 2026 in early October. The agency adjusted several numbers, which apply to tax year 2026 for returns filed in 2027.

Friday, October 3, 2025

Unless the government employs you or you are planning a trip to the Smithsonian, you might not even notice.

Monday, September 29, 2025

Fed Chair Jerome Powell indicated more adjustments were likely this year and into 2026 to address economic concerns, including a sluggish labor market.

Monday, September 22, 2025

Stocks posted solid gains last week, propelled by the Fed’s decision to cut short-term interest rates. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 1.22 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index climbed 2.21 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial...

Monday, August 11, 2025

Boomers are showing they don’t want to be left behind.

Monday, July 21, 2025

Starting this year, you can deduct up to $10,000 of interest on new auto loans from your income.

Monday, July 14, 2025

The bill created several new tax laws for individuals while addressing other tax issues for businesses.

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Markets can reach an extreme and then correct.

Monday, June 2, 2025

On Monday, stocks bolted out of the gate on news that the European Union agreed to speed up trade talks with the U.S. By the end of the session, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq posted gains north of 2 percent.

Wednesday, May 28, 2025

"We are going to use our tools to foster maximum employment and price stability for the benefit of the American people."

Thursday, May 8, 2025

...consider the stock market's long-term history and don't let emotions guide your short-term thinking.

Monday, April 7, 2025

With some tariff uncertainty starting to fade, it’s time for CEOs to make some moves on the chess board. As investors, we get to watch the game play out.

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

If you see stock prices rally on tariff news....it shows that people are searching for tariff information.

Thursday, March 27, 2025

Forget the Fed frenzy and take a timeout from tariff talk. Let's focus on what's really scrambling the markets right now: egg prices. After reaching an all-time high of $8.17 a dozen in early March, prices have trended lower.

Friday, March 7, 2025

So far this year, Mondays have had an unsettling tariff update in early January, followed by the AI news about a Chinese competitor with a low-cost model.

Monday, January 27, 2025

Fear, greed, and overconfidence can cloud judgment and lead to poor decision-making and bad returns.

Monday, January 13, 2025

On Friday, a warmer-than-expected December jobs report caused investors to question whether the Fed will adjust rates in 2025. News that consumer sentiment ticked down also pushed stocks lower.

Wednesday, January 8, 2025

Over the years, some of you have developed different ways to measure how inflation impacts your daily lives.

Monday, December 30, 2024

The anticipated changes under the new administration will most likely leave the current trajectory of economic and monetary policy unchanged over the next few years.

Monday, December 23, 2024

The anticipated changes under the new administration will most likely leave the current trajectory of economic and monetary policy unchanged over the next few years.

Monday, December 16, 2024

While supply chain disruptions and weather issues in major coffee-producing countries play a role, new European Union regulations aimed at preventing deforestation are reshaping how coffee is traded globally.

Tuesday, December 3, 2024

There are some jobs that I just don’t want. Like a Fed Governor who must decide what to do with short-term interest rates heading into 2025.

Thursday, November 21, 2024

There is talk that the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017 may get extended.

Thursday, November 14, 2024

Medicare monthly premium is based on income, so many of you pay more for coverage. The rules are different for married couples.

Friday, November 8, 2024

Elections can be consequential, but your investment strategy is built to take the world as it comes and through all sorts of circumstances.

Thursday, October 31, 2024

While we may have some answers on the morning of November 6th, be prepared to have some patience with the process as the election unfolds.

Monday, October 28, 2024

Stocks were mixed for the first half of the week as investors geared up for a steady stream of Q3 reports.

Thursday, October 24, 2024

The Internal Revenue Service released the updated income tax brackets, standard deduction, and retirement contribution limits for the 2025 tax year. It may benefit you to start thinking ahead.

Tuesday, September 24, 2024

The Fed, comfortable with its progress on inflation but concerned about the current pace of economic growth, made a bold, decisive statement with the jumbo cut.

Monday, August 19, 2024

It was the S&P 500’s best weekly gain of the year so far and the best since November of 2023. The gains helped erase losses from earlier in the month, when “carry trades” news from Japan unsettled investors.

Thursday, July 25, 2024

It was not a security incident or cyber attack. The issue was identified, isolated and a fix deployed.

Monday, July 22, 2024

The rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) during the past year has spotlighted the fast-paced decision-making in the US tech industry.

Monday, July 8, 2024

News of slower job growth, slowing wage growth, and a slight uptick in unemployment helped drive down Treasury yields, and stocks finished the short week with a strong   rally. The Nasdaq and S&P both closed at all-time highs on Friday.3

Monday, June 10, 2024

Hackers stole the data of over 500 million customers, compromising information related to ticket sales, including credit card numbers.

Tuesday, June 4, 2024

The update on Q1 GDP was a bit discouraging, and several Fed officials gave seemingly more hawkish updates.

Tuesday, May 28, 2024

This Social Security projection is a year later than the one offered in 2023 and can be chalked up to more people working and, as a result, more people making the Social Security contributions you see in every paycheck.

Tuesday, May 14, 2024

The Fed went another route at the close of its two-day meeting on May 1 to lower interest rates.

Monday, April 29, 2024

Stocks staged a choppy comeback last week as investors cheered positive earnings, led by mega-cap tech stocks. The rally came to pass despite fresh data showing a slowing economy and increasing inflationary pressures.

Monday, April 8, 2024

Stocks dropped last week as investors focused on “what's next” for interest rates after mixed comments from multiple Fed officials. F

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

When the Fed started to raise short-term interest rates in early 2022 to rein in inflation, Chairman Powell’s top priority was to manage consumer prices by slowing economic growth without pushing the U.S. into a recession.

Friday, March 8, 2024

This is a cautionary tale about the dangers of watching headlines—they summarize the key points but may overlook important details.

Wednesday, February 14, 2024

The stock market experienced solid gains last week, concluding the trading week on a positive note.

Tuesday, January 16, 2024

Stocks pushed higher last week, led by big tech names and boosted by December inflation reports that were mixed but positive enough to shore up investor confidence in Fed rate cuts this year. Stocks Rock and Roll It was a rocky week...

Monday, January 8, 2024

Stocks retreated in the first trading week of 2024, struggling a bit after a celebratory end to last year as investors second-guessed Fed signals and fretted over lingering inflation concerns. New Year Blues Stocks got off to a rough...

Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Investor optimism and fears of missing out on future gains propelled stocks higher in the last full week of trading before year-end. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.22%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 gained 0.75%. The...

Thursday, December 7, 2023

We can hope for the best, but history suggests Congress may take its time working through the many issues. 

Thursday, November 30, 2023

Investor sentiment was lifted by the earnings results from a leading mega-cap, AI-enable chipmaker that topped analysts’ expectations, bolstering the narrative of AI’s potential to help corporate profits.

Monday, November 20, 2023

Stocks extended their November rally last week as investors cheered lower-than-forecast inflation data. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.94%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 added 2.24%. The Nasdaq Composite index rose...

Tuesday, November 14, 2023

The year is winding down, and you’re likely dealing with all that entails, including making health decisions and pondering the new year ahead. Have you had your annual wellness check for 2023? If not, you may want to schedule it...

Tuesday, November 7, 2023

The combination on Wednesday of the Fed’s decision to keep rates unchanged and a reassuring Treasury announcement on future bond sales, sparked a third straight day of gains.

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

I'm here to help structure conversations that may help your hopeful homebuyers explore options conducive to their future and your and your financial goals.

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

Fed Chair Jerome Powell has said one more rate hike may be necessary before the end of the year. Well, we’re at crunch time with that plan.

Tuesday, October 10, 2023

The Fed’s ongoing pledge of “higher interest rates for longer” has rattled financial markets and raised the cost of everything from mortgages to credit cards.

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Take a break from scrutinizing stock prices and focus on enjoying your favorite fall activities.

Tuesday, September 12, 2023

Nobody wants a repeat of May 2023, when lawmakers engaged in high-profile, high-stakes talks over the debt ceiling. The stock market was held captive to the ebb and flow of updates, falling when talks faltered and rising when an agreement s

Thursday, September 7, 2023

Falling bond yields–spurred by weak economic data–helped lift stocks to weekly gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 1.43%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 gained 2.50%.

Tuesday, August 22, 2023

Pullbacks can be painful because they break trend lines and support levels. Worse, they can cause investors to second guess their strategy.

Wednesday, August 9, 2023

Why is August a volatile month? One simple reason: many people are on vacation.

Tuesday, August 1, 2023

The Federal Reserve has a dual mandate—manage inflation and maximize employment. But sometimes, those economic goals conflict with each other. As you can see in the accompanying chart, labor shortages in 2022 pressured...

Thursday, July 20, 2023

Inflation is tricky, and people can have different experiences with rising prices depending on their spending habits.

Monday, July 10, 2023

In explaining why the Fed may boost interest rates again in 2023, Fed Chair Powell said, “What’s really driving it … is a very strong labor market.”

Wednesday, July 5, 2023

Investors shrugged off weekend news of a short-lived insurrection in Russia and calls later in the week for more restrictive monetary policies from global central bankers.

Tuesday, June 27, 2023

When you time the markets, you have to be right twice – first when getting out and second when getting back in.

Monday, June 19, 2023

On June 19, 1865, nearly two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation, Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to proclaim the freedom of all enslaved individuals

Tuesday, June 6, 2023

Now that the debt ceiling negotiations are behind us and President Biden has signed the measure, what will Wall Street's wandering eye focus on next?

Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Stocks were weighed down for much of the week by stumbling debt ceiling negotiations, which appeared to reach an impasse at one point. Technology stocks, which have led the market this year, were under pressure.

Thursday, May 18, 2023

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.

Wednesday, May 10, 2023

Investors are cautious even thought the S&P 500 is basically unchanged during the past year. They've pulled more cash to the sidelines in 2023.

Friday, April 21, 2023

Each year more people think about Earth Day and how they might contribute to the effort of protecting our planet.

Monday, April 17, 2023

Certain retirement and investment strategies are critical to the well being of your family. Sometimes the conversations are the most difficult part.

Tuesday, April 11, 2023

Watching the news cycle isn't healthy for your portfolio. Some good news here and some bad news there, and you might start to rethink a well-constructed investment strategy.

Thursday, March 30, 2023

Yellen subsequently testified that the Treasury was not working on any blanket insurance for bank deposits and by the Fed’s warning that banking turmoil could shrink lending access — the volatile week ended with sharp intraday price swings,

Monday, March 20, 2023

Many investors may be tempted to react in the wake of both the Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank's financial troubles. After all, the unprecedented events of last week would test the mettle of even the most seasoned investor.

Tuesday, March 7, 2023

March is Women's History Month, a time to recognize the remarkable contributions of women throughout history.

Tuesday, February 28, 2023

This isn't the first time we as a nation have had to hear about the Debt Ceiling. Do we know what it means and how it can impact us?

Thursday, February 16, 2023

It seems like only a few months ago, European economies appeared to be wrestling with several serious issues, including the Ukraine war, supply chain disruptions, and red-hot inflation.

Thursday, February 9, 2023

Fed Chair Powell began his post-meeting Q&A session saying something almost no one expected to hear, “...the disinflationary process has started.”

Thursday, February 2, 2023

People are quick to remind me that stocks are off to a good start in 2023, inflation appears to be trending lower, and the economy was strong in Q4. All true. But it takes more than a few good weeks and a couple of solid economic reports to

Monday, January 30, 2023

Being careful with your personal data means more than just shredding your documents. Help protect against identity theft with these common sense actions.

Thursday, January 19, 2023

Creating a diverse investment portfolio is the best way to ensure your savings stay ahead of inflation. If you already have investments, make a new year’s resolution to review your investments and see if you are on the right track.

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

This article intends to give you a broad overview of SECURE 2.0. It's not intended as a substitute for real-life advice. Remember that just because retirement rules have changed does not mean that adjusting your current strategy is appropri

Tuesday, January 10, 2023

Check out this free educational webinar series for important information on why taxes are different in retirement.

Friday, December 16, 2022

An 8.7 percent cost-of-living adjustment will begin with benefits payable to more than 65 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2023.

Tuesday, December 13, 2022

The specific approaches for your overall financial management should be shared with appropriate family members while everyone is together for the holidays

Friday, December 2, 2022

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.

Monday, November 28, 2022

If you have a lot of family members, or even if you have quite a few friends, you may feel inclined to go all out on holiday shopping because you don't want to exclude anyone. Be careful with your generosity.

Tuesday, November 22, 2022

Like most people, your initial understanding of Social Security probably came from word of mouth or things you watched on the news. Social Security can be complex and confusing with many stipulations

Tuesday, November 15, 2022

The IRS offers “Catch-Up Contributions” as a way to save a bit extra each year. Starting at age 50 you can contribute an extra $6,500 a year to many workplace retirement plans.

Monday, November 7, 2022

Hawkish comments by Fed Chair Jerome Powell, following the announcement of another 75 basis points interest rate hike last week, cast a pall over financial markets, sending yields higher and stocks lower.The Dow Jones Industrial...

Tuesday, November 1, 2022

Retail investors often do the wrong thing at the wrong time. But this year, they have been mostly correct in their bearish view.

Friday, October 28, 2022

After months of high inflation and financial uncertainty, the IRA has released some cost-of-living-based adjustments have reached near-record levels.

Friday, October 21, 2022

Coordinate Social Security benefits with your overall retirement planning. Know how to maximize your Social Security benefit to potentially maximize your retirement income.

Tuesday, October 11, 2022

Not planning for your finances during a divorce can add to the stress

Tuesday, October 4, 2022

This year saw five interest rate increases in seven months — making it the quickest tightening cycle in modern history.

Friday, September 30, 2022

The Feds monetary policy of raising interest rates to slow inflation without triggering a recession has created a lot of uncertainty.

Thursday, September 22, 2022

It isn’t surprising that the overwhelming majority of individuals who work with a financial advisor feel confident that the investment is well worth the money.

Thursday, September 8, 2022

There are still quite a few questions to be answered, but here are some key points to know about the White House student loan forgiveness program

Thursday, September 1, 2022

Be prepared to roll with an uptick in stock market volatility, and don’t let seasonal trading influence your overall strategy.

Monday, August 22, 2022

These days, an encouraging word can feel like a relief. Here are a few positive stories I’ve noticed lately – like an “everything bagel” sprinkled with good news.I saw a recent report in The Guardian about the...

Wednesday, July 27, 2022

The Federal Reserve’s recent attempt to tame inflation has resulted in a sharp decline in bond prices. In this article we investigate why bond prices fall.

Monday, July 11, 2022

High Inflation, the war in Ukraine, rising mortgage rates and falling portfolio values have all impacted consumer sentiment, but there are some reasons the US economic outlook may be brighter than some suspect.

Friday, June 24, 2022

Join us as we unearth the history of bear and bull markets. You'll see there is no reason to panic.

Thursday, June 23, 2022

In our 2nd of 4 part-look at this bear market, again we are turning to AssetMark, Inc and posting an article about the Worst Years for U.S. Stocks

Tuesday, June 21, 2022

We review the history of bear markets to understand the potential good and bad news for investors once the market has crossed the dreaded threshold.

Wednesday, June 8, 2022

I'm the TaxmanMost Baby Boomers will recognize the cutting lyrics to the Beatles song Taxman. "If you drive a car, I'll tax the street. If you try to sit, I'll tax your seat. If it gets too cold, I'll tax the heat. If you...

Wednesday, May 25, 2022

You need to stop, look around, breathe and be present always to those who you love and care about.

Tuesday, May 17, 2022

Younger generations look to life insurance to protect what they've earned

Monday, May 2, 2022

The war in Ukraine. Fed’s shift to inflation-fighting mode. Chronic volatility in equity markets. China real estate showing signs of stress. Get ready to buckle your seat belt as we dissect converging economic forces from Q1 2022.