The last quarter delivered a strong finish to a great year for the stock market. Throughout the year, the market moved on news of the trade dispute with China. Ultimately, progress was made with China and the markets rallied. Stock buybacks also helped the stock market. Many companies used larger profits from the lower tax rate to buy back… Read More
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Market Recap: 3rd Quarter 2019
Results for the 3rd quarter were mixed. The quarter got off to a good start as the U.S. and China agreed to continue trade negotiations and the U.S. postponed further tariff increases. This news, along with the Federal Reserve signaling an interest-rate cut, helped markets rally to new highs. However, in August, trade issues heated up again with both countries… Read More
Back-to-School Expenses
As school season ramps up, shopping commercials will become more prevalent as parents and their children start planning for the next school year. Below are strategies to keep in mind as you navigate back-to-school expenses. Set a Budget According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), $3.4 billion was projected to be spent on backpacks alone in 2017. Take the time… Read More
Market Recap: 2nd Quarter 2019
Stock gains continued in April, with the economy growing faster than expected at an annual growth rate of 3.2% for the first quarter. However, markets stumbled in May triggered again by U.S. and China trade issues, as the U.S. increased tariffs on nearly half of Chinese imports from 10% to 25%, after which China retaliated by increasing tariffs on $60… Read More
Renting Your Property
As children, we are taught to share. What if sharing could generate income? The possibility is present, but it is a matter of evaluating the cost to income ratio. Renting Out a Location Generally speaking, hotels owned the rental market share for vacation stays and work trips sector. Sites such as Airbnb, VRBO, and FlipKey among others, have made it… Read More
Market Recap: 1st Quarter 2019
The stock market bounced back rapidly after the steep losses last quarter, showing the importance of staying invested after downturns. In fact, it was the best quarter in nearly a decade for U.S. stocks with the S&P 500 up 13.65% and smaller U.S. stocks up 14.58%. Technology and real estate were the best performing sectors, while health care was the… Read More
There’s Still Time to Fund Your IRA for 2018!
Your IRA is a great investment tool for your retirement. For 2018, you can contribute up to $5,500 into your IRA ($6,500 if you’re age 50 or older)*. If you haven’t filed your tax return yet, you can still make 2018 IRA contributions until April 15th, 2019. Why should you maximize contributions? Maximizing your contribution allows for the greatest growth of your investment. The… Read More
Fourth Quarter 2018 Market Recap
After experiencing record low volatility in 2017, huge market swings dominated this year. According to the S&P Dow Jones Indices, there have been over 100 days this year where the daily spread between the high and low has exceeded 1%. The year started with a large drop in February but recovered and looked in decent position by the end of… Read More
Child Care Costs
Referenced on Babycenter.com, the average cost of center-based daycare in the United States is $11,666 per year ($972 a month), but prices range from $3,582 to $18,773 a year ($300 to $1,564 monthly), according to the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies. Below are some topics that may give insight on money-saving ideas. Selective Scheduling Scheduling arrangements such as staggering spousal work schedules or… Read More
Are You on Track to Meet Your Financial Goals?
What do you see when you think of the next 10, 20, 30+ years of your life? Perhaps you’re looking to retire close to a white beach, maybe you’d like to take your family on a once-in-a-lifetime vacation to the Serengeti, or you’d like to pay for your child’s wedding. Have you considered how you will reach these goals? Perhaps… Read More
3rd Quarter 2018 Market Recap
The U.S. stock market reached another milestone this quarter, as the current bull market became the longest equity bull market in U.S. history. Since the start of the bull market in March 2009, the S&P 500 has more than quadrupled. Many of the market gains this year have been due to strong gains by technology companies, such as Apple and… Read More
How to Save Money on Fitness
In a recent survey by Myprotein, Americans spend an average of $155 per month on health and fitness. The cost of gym memberships alone can be enough to uproot any budget, especially when targeting more modern, boutique fitness studios with newer equipment. While investing in one’s health is a priority for many, there are still ways Americans can enjoy the… Read More
Tips for Preventing Fraud
Cybercrime and fraud are serious threats and constant vigilance is key. While our firm plays an important role in helping protect your assets, you can also take action to protect yourself and help secure your information. This checklist summarizes common cyber fraud tactics, along with tips and best practices. Many suggestions may be things you’re doing now, while others may… Read More
Teen Driver Expenses
Young drivers involve a variety of expenses besides the vehicle itself. Here are examples of some of the expenses teen drivers will incur. Insurance The cost of coverage will be based on the driver characteristics, the vehicle, the insurer and the insured’s eligible discounts. A safe driver course can often help reduce the cost of insurance. There are other discounts… Read More
Second Quarter 2018 Market Recap
Volatility continued in global stock markets during the second quarter. Despite solid first-quarter earnings reports, stocks gained little traction as geopolitical and trade concerns hampered the markets. In the U.S., growth stocks continued their strong outperformance over value stocks. The market gains this year have been heavily dependent on technology stocks. For the quarter, energy was the best performer (up… Read More