Inflation and Social Security COLA: Managing Purchasing Power
The annual Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is one of the most important developments for retirees and consumers. Not only does it affect Social Security recipients directly since it determines the increase in benefits next year, but it also reflects the broader inflationary trends affecting all consumers and investors. This is especially important today as […]
Creating a 3-5 Year Strategic Plan That Can Help Make Your Company Buyer Attractive
There is a version of strategic planning that most privately held companies do: a few days offsite, a lot of Post-it notes, a slide deck that gets reviewed once and then lives in a shared drive. That process has value. But it is not what we are talking about here. When your company has crossed […]
Asset Location vs. Asset Allocation in Financial Planning
Even the healthiest seed will struggle if it is planted in the wrong type of soil. Investments can work the same way since some assets benefit from being placed in specific vehicles, particularly when it comes to how they are taxed. This idea is often referred to as “asset location,” which doesn’t refer to where […]
Reviewing Your Estate, Trust, and Governance Documents After a Year of Change
Estate planning documents are written at a specific moment in time — reflecting the family’s structure, relationships, tax environment, and intentions as they existed on the day the documents were signed. Everything changes after that. The wealth grows. The family expands. Relationships evolve. Laws are amended. And the documents sit in a binder, often […]
The Bull Market Enters Its Fifth Year: Long-Term Perspectives
Four years ago, the S&P 500 reached its lowest level of the 2022 bear market in October. At the time, inflation was climbing at its fastest pace since the 1970s, the Federal Reserve was raising interest rates rapidly, and recession fears were widespread. Sentiment among consumers, businesses, and investors was deeply negative, and it was […]
Retirement Savings Benchmarks: Am I Saving Enough by 40?
Reaching your 40s is an important milestone in your career—and a natural time to evaluate your retirement savings. Many mid-career professionals ask themselves, “Am I saving enough to retire comfortably?” While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, benchmarks can help guide your planning and put you on track for the long term. 1. Understanding the 40-Year-Old Benchmark […]
U.S. Dollar Rebound: The Impact of Rising Rates and Government Debt
As interest rates have risen to multi-decade highs, one of the implications that has received less attention is the strengthening U.S. dollar. The dollar affects all aspects of financial markets, the economy, and everyday life. Its value impacts the cost of imported goods, foreign travel, the revenues of U.S. businesses that operate around the world, […]
Quarterly Market Outlook for Q4 2026: Rising Rates, New Market Highs, and Fed Hikes
The third quarter was mixed for investors with two major drivers impacting portfolios. On the one hand, interest rates rose to 20-year highs, while on the other hand, exceptional corporate earnings continued to support stocks. Amid these major trends, oil prices climbed back above $100 per barrel, the Fed raised rates for the first time […]
What 7% Mortgages Mean for Housing and the Economy
The housing market is important both on a personal level as well as for the broader economy and financial system. For many households, owning a home is an accomplishment that requires years of planning and saving, representing their largest asset, most significant monthly expense, and main source of debt. The housing market is also a […]
Beyond the Headlines: Fed Rate Hikes and Long-Term Portfolios
Janet Yellen, the former Federal Reserve Chair, often said that “monetary policy is not a panacea.”1 Just as there is no cure for the common cold, except to let it run its course and address the symptoms, the Fed’s tools often cannot fix the underlying issues in the economy. In theory, monetary policy is meant […]