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The first week of 2021 has already had many ups and downs. Just because it’s a new year doesn’t mean that the 2020 issues go away, and so far, 2021 has been no exception to this rule. The markets opened on January 4 and traded lower out of the gate, with the S&P 500 dropping 1.5%. The last time the market opened lower was in 2016, when the S&P 500, the Dow Jones, and the Nasdaq…

Stocks moved higher during a holiday-shortened week of trading, capping off a turbulent, but otherwise strong year for equity investors. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.35%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 increased by 1.43%. The Nasdaq Composite index, which led all year, added 0.65%. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, rose 2.02%.1,2,3 The Year in Brief The global pandemic disrupted economies, financial markets, and daily life in 2020. Households and…

After a bit of political posturing in December, the $900 billion Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (2021 CAA) was signed into law by President Trump as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact employers and employees. Here’s a quick recap of five key highlights: Stimulus Checks: The new law authorized a second round of $600 checks for people with income that meets the criteria. The checks start to phase out for individuals who earned at least $75,000 in…

What’s the difference between disposable income and discretionary income?

Holiday spending is expected to drop this year for the first time since 2009. If you aren’t traveling for Christmas this year have you found yourself going the extra mile on more gifts?

Hardly a day goes by that the topic of bitcoin or other cryptocurrency assets doesn’t come up in meetings with clients and prospects or from friends and relatives who want to know, “what all the buzz is about?” The message is the same, regardless of who’s asking. Cryptocurrency is not a currency at all. It’s a speculative asset class that is not appropriate for everyone. Only people with a high-risk tolerance should consider cryptocurrency assets. Like…

For many of us, 2020 has been a year unlike any other. For some, it’s brought hardships that have tested the hardiest of souls. For others, it has brought unspeakable loss. Yet, we press on, and as we do, we may be surprised to find a paradox: we have so much for which to be grateful. We are thankful for our family and friends, even though we may not be together. We are grateful for frontline…

Your investment strategy is a lot like a marriage. One day you may feel like everything’s going swimmingly. The next day, there might be an argument over who forgot to load the dishwasher. And even the best marriages and partnerships have moments where one or both partners look around and go, “Is this as good as it gets?” The stock market, much like a marriage, has days of ups and downs. Just look at what happened…

We are all excited to leave 2020 behind. It’s time to start looking to 2021 and planning for success. Here are 4 quick tips to financial fitness.  

The annual fall enrollment period for Medicare is coming to an end. Monday, December 7 is the deadline for enrolling or making changes in Medicare Plans.1 Assuming you are already enrolled in Medicare, letting the date pass will keep you in your current plan until the next enrollment period. This is your window for making additions or changes in relation to your Medicare Advantage Plan (sometimes called Part C) or your prescription drug plan (Part D).1…