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Making Sense of Wild Stock Swings

Making Sense of Wild Stock Swings

BlogMaking Sense of Wild Stock Swings If checking your portfolio lately feels like riding a roller coaster without a seatbelt, you’re not alone. One week, headlines proclaim market highs driven by booming corporate earnings and AI growth; the next, a sudden spike in...

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Re-Escalation and Your Portfolio

Re-Escalation and Your Portfolio

Blog“Re-Escalation and Your Portfolio” Over the past week, headlines surrounding the re-escalation of conflict and rising geopolitical tensions involving Iran have dominated the global news cycle. For anyone tuning into the news, the sense of uncertainty is palpable....

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Inflation: The Silent Killer of Retirement Plans

Inflation: The Silent Killer of Retirement Plans

Blog“Inflation: The Silent Killer of Retirement Plans" We talk a lot about inflation in the headlines – rising gas prices, higher grocery bills, the cost of... well, everything. But while we feel its immediate pinch in our daily lives, there's a far more insidious and...

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The 4% Rule is now the 5% Rule

The 4% Rule is now the 5% Rule

Blog“The 4% Rule is now the 5% Rule" A financial expert named Bill Bengen, who created the famous 4% Rule, has a new book called A Richer Retirement: Supercharging the 4% Rule to Spend More and Enjoy More. The 4% Rule was a game-changer for retirement planning because...

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The Life Satisfaction Smile

The Life Satisfaction Smile

Blog"The Life Satisfaction Smile" I heard the concept on a podcast recently that was talking about what makes people truly happy.  It’s an age old question and one that I would guess we aren’t going to have a universal answer for or “solve” anytime soon.  That being...

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Proof of Wealth

Proof of Wealth

Blog"Proof of Wealth" I often enjoy reading other thoughts and posts from financial experts in the field, and a recent post by Nick Maggiulli really hit home.  It’s great if someone has a financial windfall or even wins the lottery but there is also something to be...

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How AI is Reshaping the World of Finance

How AI is Reshaping the World of Finance

Blog“How AI is Reshaping the World of Finance"   The financial landscape is undergoing a seismic shift, and at the epicenter of this transformation lies artificial intelligence (AI). From the mundane tasks of customer service to the complex calculations...

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Repayment Assistance Plan; what you need to know

Blog “Repayment Assistance Plan; what you need to know" The student loan journey is often a long and winding road, and for millions of Americans, it's a road filled with financial uncertainty. The weight of monthly payments can feel crushing, especially when your...

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Mirror Image Quarters and Iran

Mirror Image Quarters and Iran

Blog“Mirror Image Quarters and Iran” Maybe it goes without saying, but 2025 has not been short of news headlines and we are just coming up to the halfway point in the year!  Interestingly the entire 2020’s decade so far has been quite a volatile one.  Up to this point...

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You Can’t Put a Price On Mental Freedom

You Can’t Put a Price On Mental Freedom

Blog“You Can’t Put a Price On Mental Freedom" We typically don’t recommend individual stock holdings for customers.  While we will keep some holdings if the client is adamant about a specific company, we believe in a more passive and diversified equity strategy.  This...

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The Boring Advice Proves Itself Again

The Boring Advice Proves Itself Again

Blog“The Boring Advice Proves Itself Again" 2025 has certainly been a roller coaster ride for stocks.  Just over a month ago the S&P 500 was down over 15% for the year, and now, as I write this on May 13th, the S&P 500 has gained 18.3% since April 8th. It’s...

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The Housing Issue for Younger Americans

The Housing Issue for Younger Americans

Blog“The Housing Issue for Younger Americans" For many of our clients, housing and the growth of their primary residence (and potentially investment properties) was a large contributor to their overall financial success.  Yes, we all know that interest rates were much...

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Navigating Tariffs: Why History Favors the Patient Investor

Navigating Tariffs: Why History Favors the Patient Investor

Blog“Navigating Tariffs: Why History Favors the Patient Investor" Staying the Course Amidst Tariff Turbulence It’s hard to ignore the recent headlines. Talk of tariffs, potential trade disputes, and the resulting market swings can naturally cause unease for even the...

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A Recession Won’t Help the Budget

A Recession Won’t Help the Budget

Blog“A Recession Won’t Help the Budget" Every so often I come across a theory that makes sense superficially but on closer examination doesn’t add up. The most recent one is that the current Administration wants a recession (or at least wouldn’t mind one) because...

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Your Goals > Stock Market Movements

Your Goals > Stock Market Movements

Blog“Your Goals > Stock Market Movements" Investors are nervous right now. For those who’ve been reading our weekly articles for some time, you might recognize the above title. We have re-visited the idea that your personal goals should hold a greater weight in...

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Humility Comes with Experience

Humility Comes with Experience

Blog“Humility Comes with Experience" The more time I spend in finance, the more I realize how little we truly know or how foolish it is to try and predict what is going to take place. I’m convinced that if someone is absolutely certain of their belief of what will...

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8 Important Ages for Retirement Planning

8 Important Ages for Retirement Planning

Blog“8 Important Ages for Retirement Planning" The amount of decisions and timeframes that arrive at your doorstep as you head into retirement can be overwhelming. It’s hard to keep track of what age you become eligible for Medicare vs. when you can take social...

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What’s Considered a High Income These Days?

What’s Considered a High Income These Days?

Blog“What's Considered a High Income These Days?" The comparison trap is dangerous.  Whether we are looking at our neighbor's car, or the houses in “that fancy party of town”, comparing our situation to others can have negative effects.  So, my goal for this article...

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Housing Market Outlook for 2025

Housing Market Outlook for 2025

Blog“Housing Market Outlook for 2025" As we kick off another year, I’m filled with optimism.  Not because I think everything will be smooth sailing, but because even if we have a tough year, the economy has proven resilient over the long-term and this will be another...

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Increase your Financial Knowledge with Free Online Classes

Increase your Financial Knowledge with Free Online Classes

BlogIncrease your Financial Knowledge with Free Online Classes The topic of finance can be daunting for many people, but in our information age we have more opportunities than ever to tap into free financial knowledge online.  Whether you are looking to simply make...

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Policy Shifts Expected after Trump Wins Presidency

Policy Shifts Expected after Trump Wins Presidency

Blog“Policy Shifts Expected after Trump Wins Presidency" The magnitude of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s victory last week brings the strong likelihood he will have a mandate for his economic, market and foreign policy agenda. Winning the Electoral College and...

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Tips for Lowering Taxes in Retirement.

Tips for Lowering Taxes in Retirement.

Blog"Tips for Lowering Taxes in Retirement" So many financial articles talk about the importance of saving for retirement and how much money you should have saved to retire comfortably. While that is certainly an important topic, considering how these savings will be...

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