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Here, we provide the latest news, insights, and tips on managing your money, making smart investments, and pursuing financial freedom
Disclosure: See disclosure for additional details. This is not investment and/or financial advice. The content we put out is for informational purposes only. Always consult a certified and/or legal professional before making any financial decisions.
March Madness and Investing: Lessons from the Court to the Market
March Madness and Investing: Lessons from the Court to the Market With over 70 million March Madness brackets filled out every March, college basketball’sbiggest tournament always captures the nation’s attention. But you...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Markets Take a Breather After Mixed Week
Stocks were down for the week as investors appeared to take some profits and traders parsed Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s Congressional testimony. Markets Wobble Stocks had a rough start to the week, with the Dow, S&P 500, and...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Tech and AI Lead Another Advancing Week
Stocks extended their tech-led advance last week as signs of a resilient and still-enthusiastic consumer boosted momentum. Nasdaq Sets New High Stocks traded in a narrow band early in the week but ended the five-trading sessions with...
Read MoreCommon Finance Jargon
Common finance jargon - it’s bittersweet to me. Personally, I love it. But I understand completely how the finance industry has taken it and yieldsit like a sword over clients. It’s very frustrating. I meet with hundreds of...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Excitement Around Big Tech Continues
Stocks continued their upward climb last week as excitement around big tech continued; positive economic reports stoked investors’ belief that the Federal Reserve has pulled off a soft landing. Stocks Power Ahead Big tech was...
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2023 Annual Letter
Personal ReflectionsIn my journey through life, I've come to realize that the essence of true success lies not solely inthe amount of wealth someone has, but rather in constant growth in any given field. Theseareas can be in things...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Investors Enter 2024 in Doubtful Mood
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...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Stocks Rally on Fed, Inflation News
Markets reacted positively last week to cooler inflation and the idea of potential rate cuts next year, adding to the gains of the market’s year-end rally. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.92%, while the Standard &...
Read MoreHave you ever heard of a RILA?
Have you ever heard of a RILA? Let’s Explore What They Are and What You Need to Know “These products offer the potential for gains exceeding the index's performance, all whileproviding a protective buffer in case of a...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Stocks Rise, Jobs Cool
Stocks ripped higher last week on a dramatic retreat in bond yields triggered by easing inflation and a slowing labor market. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 5.07%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 surged 5.85%. The...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Stocks Retreat on Cautious Earnings Reports
Amid a busy week of corporate earnings reports, stocks slumped on cautious earnings guidance, fears of higher interest rates, and growing anxiety over the increasing amount of Treasury bonds and notes coming to market. The Dow Jones...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Stocks Retreat Despite Solid Earnings
Rising bond yields and uncertainty over whether this was the close of the Fed’s rate-hike cycle dragged markets lower last week despite solid corporate earnings results. The Dow Jones Industrial Average sank 1.61%, while the...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Bond Yields Rise; Government Shutdown Looms
Rising bond yields and government shutdown fears left stocks in mostly negative territory for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.34%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 slipped 0.74%. The Nasdaq Composite index was...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Stocks End Summer with Gloomy News
Rising bond yields and fears of a government shutdown hammered stocks last week, with technology shares bearing the brunt of the retreat. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.89%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 dropped 2.93%...
Read MoreMedical Coverage Between Retirement & Medicare
CalSTRS, CalPERS & Public Pension Members: Are you retiring soon and are worried about medical coverage between your retirement dateand joining medicare? It’s a common question I get. In fact, it is one of the biggest hang ups...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Stocks Stand Still, Awaiting Fed
Stocks ended the week roughly where they began as investors digested a mixed set of new economic data. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.12%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 slipped 0.16%. The Nasdaq Composite index fell...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: September Stocks Open In Positive Territory
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%. The Nasdaq Composite index...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Stocks Retreat; Powell Talk Goes Hawk
Stocks fluctuated last week, jostled by fitful bond yields and headline news, before ending strongly following Fed Chair Powell’s comments on the monetary outlook. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.45%, while the...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Summertime Blues for the Markets
Positive inflation data failed to lift stocks from their August doldrums last week as economic data and a ratings downgrade soured investor sentiment. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.62%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...
Read MoreWhy to Hire an Advisor Before Retirement
Approaching Retirement & Not Working with an Advisor? Don’t Make Make these CommonMistakesMany people have thought about meeting with a financial advisor and have questioned whetheror not they need one in this time of their lives...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Stocks Stumble with CPI on Deck
Rising concerns about further rate hikes sent stocks lower to kick off the second half of trading.The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.96%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 retreated 1.16%. The Nasdaq Composite index...
Read MoreArtificial Intelligence - Invest in the Hype?
Artificial intelligence is all the rage. With the hype initially created with the viral explosionof ChatGPT, it’s all we hear about and how it will change everyone’s lives in the comingyears. If you follow earnings reports...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Stocks Take Summer Break, Month Remains Strong
Stocks took a breather last week as investors digested the previous week’s surge and the month-to-date solid gains.The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.67%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 fell 1.39%. The Nasdaq...
Read More"I'm a Teacher & I'm Approaching Retirement. How Do I Know If I'm Ready to Retire?"
As a teacher nearing retirement, you may find myself pondering an important question,“Am I truly ready to retire?” It’s something many CalSTRS members wrestle with so don’tfeel like you are alone! While this...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Stocks Climb After Fed Pause
Stocks climbed last week as reassuring inflation data boosted investor hopes that the rate-hike cycle was nearing an end amid fresh economic data pointing to continued economic resilience.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.25%,...
Read MoreS3.E1 - Retire Eyes Wide Open (REWO) - Strategies for Market Fog
I am thrilled to introduce Season 3 of our Podcast, Retire Eyes Wide Open (REWO)!Join us as we discuss, Strategies for Market Fog!Do you know how to deal with market conditions that are not clear? Are you questioning if the...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Markets March into Positive Territory Continues.
A late-week rally sent stocks into positive territory, with the S&P 500 index closing just shy of the 4,300 mark.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.34%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 added 0.39%. The Nasdaq Composite...
Read MoreUnderstanding IRMAA: A Crucial Component of Financial Planning
Financial planning plays a vital role in securing your financial future. One crucial element that often goes unnoticed but can significantly impact your financial well-being is the Medicare Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount...
Read MoreSecuring Your Retirement Puzzle: Understanding the Government Pension Offset (GPO)
As retirement approaches, you may come across the term "Government Pension Offset (GPO)" and find yourself wondering about its meaning and implications. The term can sound daunting and often leads to confusion on what it is and how it...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Debt Talks Optimism Keeps Eyes on D.C.
Markets moved in sync last week with perceived movement in debt ceiling talks, weakening early in the week and then surging on news of progress. A solid quarterly report and guidance from a mega-cap technology company helped with...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Despite Stall, Debt Deal Optimism Cheers Markets
Stocks rallied last week, propelled by growing optimism over reaching a deal on raising the debt ceiling and avoiding a technical debt default by the U.S.The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged 0.38% higher, while the Standard &...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Stocks Rally As Attention Shifts to Fed's May Meeting
Strong earnings from several mega-cap technology companies offset renewed regional banking jitters and weak economic data, leaving stocks higher for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.86%, while the Standard &...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights 4/10/23: Hiring Cools; Recession Fears Rise
Stocks ended a shortened week of trading mixed amid revived recession fears on Wall Street triggered by weak economic data.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.63%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 slipped 0.10%. The Nasdaq...
Read MoreTaking Advantage of Bear Markets: Tips for Young Investors
Bear markets are never fun. They are turbulent times in the market where countless people seetheir equity positions reduce in value. However, if you are a younger investor, a bear market canactually work to your advantage. If you...
Read MoreReevaluate Your Work-Life Balance This Labor Day
More than just a bookend to the summer season, Labor Day is a celebration of workers’ contributions to the well-being of our country and the economy. Labor Day was first celebrated on Sept. 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance...
Read MoreSummer Travel is Back!
Summer travel stats show an industry in recovery.One of the most anticipated comebacks of 2021 isn’t an athlete, rock star, or movie franchise. It’s summer travel, and it appears to be back with a vengeance. Travel agents...
Read MoreIdeas to Do While Stuck at Home
While non-essential businesses are slowly starting to open again during Phase 3, we still wanted to provide you with a list of fun things to do at home with your family.Especially for our clients who have younger children or...
Read More7 Ways to Get a Mental Escape
How are you dealing with day-to-day stress in these uncertain times? Here are 7 extra simple ways to get a brief mental escape: Meditate. Take time each day to clear your mind through meditation. Breathing exercises will help you clear...
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