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Weekly Market Insights: Stocks Have Warmer Week as Inflation Cools
An improving inflation outlook buoyed investors’ spirits last week, helping lift stocks to solid gains.The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 2.92%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 rose 3.26%. The Nasdaq Composite index...
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WHERE THERE’S A WILL, THERE’S A WAY
"Where there's a will, there's a way." Sage advice that applies not only to our lives but to your estate strategy.When was the last time you reviewed your will or estate strategy? August is National "Make a Will" Month, an excellent...
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Weekly Market Insights 8/8/22
Stocks turned in a mixed performance last week as investors struggled with headlines suggesting that the Fed was unlikely to soon ease up on its current monetary tightening policy.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.13%, while...
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Weekly Market insights 7/25/2022
Stocks rallied last week as investor spirits lifted thanks to a better-than-expected start to the second-quarter earnings season.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.95%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 added 2.55%. The...
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Congratulations to Carol!
Carol Schmidlin Awarded Prestigious MRFC® Credential The Master Registered Financial Consultant Certification Board (MCB) is proud to announce Carol Schmidlin of Franklin Planning, headquartered in Sewell, NJ, has...
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Inflation, Interest Rates, & Indiana Jones
Stop me if you heard this already—roughly half the population wasn’t alive last time inflation was at this level.It’s true. According to IMDb.com, Raiders of the Lost Ark was the #1 movie at the box office the last...
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Weekly Market Insights: Stocks Rally Despite Mixed Data
In a holiday-shortened trading week, stocks rallied despite mixed economic data and vacillating energy prices and bond yields.The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased 0.77%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 rose 1.94%. The...
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3 Tips for the Second Half of 2022
With half the year behind us, now is a great time to consider what the remainder of 2022 may hold. However, with inflation and economic uncertainty causing many of us to delay or cancel vacations, large purchases, and more, it can be...
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Should You Retire Right Now?
Some money experts have said that 2022 is a dangerous year to retire, but what if you need to? Here are five things to consider. SAINT LOUIS, Mo. — With inflation, rising rates, and a financial crisis, some people are...
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Wise Words from Warren Buffett
During periods of market turbulence, I take comfort in one of my favorite Warren Buffett quotes:“Don’t watch the market closely.”The Oracle of Omaha gave this sage advice in 2016, when Brexit, China’s economic...
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9 Facts About Retirement
Retirement can have many meanings. For some, it will be a time to travel and spend time with family members. For others, it will be a time to start a new business or begin a charitable endeavor. Regardless of what approach you intend...
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Market Briefs: Q1 Recap and Q2 Outlook
It’s our mission to provide our clients with a timely market commentary of the prior quarters financial market performance, key economic releases, and current developments.Please see the most recent quarterly market recaps and...
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Weekly Market Insights - June 27, 2022
Prospects of cooling inflation powered a rally in stock prices last week despite growing recession concerns.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 5.39%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 climbed 6.45%. The Nasdaq Composite index...
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Weekly Market Insights 6/21/22
Stocks moved lower last week as recession fears deepened following a Fed hike in interest rates and weak economic data.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 4.79%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 dropped 5.79%. The Nasdaq...
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Wise Words from Warren Buffett
During periods of market turbulence, I take comfort in one of my favorite Warren Buffett quotes:“Don’t watch the market closely.”The Oracle of Omaha gave this sage advice in 2016, when Brexit, China’s economic...
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Summertime Checkup
Summer’s here, and the time is right for vacations, outdoor activities, and fun. It’s also a good time to consider a few financial matters. Here are some questions to ask yourself mid-year.Goals still the same for 2022? Has...
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When Bears Are Loud, Consider This
Some gloomy headlines are coming out of Wall Street lately. Have you noticed?In recent days, I’ve read things like “Brace yourself for economic hurricanes” and “Wall Street investor survey paints a dire outlook...
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Weekly Market Insights: Stocks Dip on Inflation Report
A higher-than-expected inflation report triggered a sell-off on Friday, leaving stocks in the red for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 4.58%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 dropped 5.05%. The Nasdaq Composite index...
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Market Insights June 6, 2022
In a holiday-shortened week of volatile trading, stocks surrendered some of the previous week’s strong gains.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.94%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 declined 1.20%. The Nasdaq Composite...
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US Recession Is Avoidable If Fed Can ‘Thread the Needle’
Households still have buying firepower, and jobs are growing. Much seen riding on course of the Fed’s tightening campaign to hear some of the chatter in financial markets and corporate America’s C-suites, a US...
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Weekly Market Insights - 5/31/2022
Stocks posted solid gains for the week, buoyed by the release of Fed meeting minutes and upbeat earnings from mid-size and discount retailers.The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 6.24%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 advanced...
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Important Birthdays Over 50
Most children stop being “and-a-half” somewhere around age 12. Kids add “and-a-half“ to make sure everyone knows they’re closer to the next age than the last.When you are older, “and-a-half”...
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When Will the Stock Market Hit Bottom?
The number one question I’m hearing this week is, “When are we going to see the stock market reach a low point?” In spite of recent volatility, my answer remains the same: rather than timing the markets, focus on time...
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WEEKLY MARKET INSIGHTS MAY 23, 2022
Recession fears grew last week following weak earnings reports from major retailers, sending stocks lower.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 2.90%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 lost 3.05%. The Nasdaq Composite index dropped...
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Comics, Collectibles, and Coping with Calamity
Rare collectibles can provide an entertaining form of alternative “investment,” and might seem particularly intriguing when markets are wobblier than Aunt Gertrude’s jello salad. Comic books can sell for millions of...
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SECURE Act 2.0 Passes House, Signaling Massive Retirement Savings and Investment Policy Shift
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Two Smart Retirement Tax Moves to Consider Before Year-End
With the end of the year just around the corner, now is the time to consider year-end strategies for tax planning. Ed Slott, CPA, suggests that low tax rates offer opportunities for some taxpayers to make some smart retirement moves....
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MARKET INSIGHTS FOR NOVEMBER 29, 2021
News of a new, highly virulent COVID variant triggered a market sell-off on Friday, sending stocks into negative territory for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 1.97%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 slumped 2.20%....
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When Bad News is Good News
WHEN BAD NEWS IS GOOD NEWS Financial markets can be challenging to understand. But when markets enter a “bad news is good news” cycle, it becomes even more difficult to follow along. At its November meeting, the Fed...
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Weekly Market Insights - November 15, 2021
Stocks posted small declines last week as investors digested recent stock market gains and an unexpectedly high inflation read. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 0.63%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 retreated 0.31%. The...
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Market insights for 11/9/2021
A Federal Reserve announcement on tapering, a fresh batch of corporate profits, and encouraging economic data lifted stocks to another weekly gain. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.42%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...
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VETERAN'S DAY- NOVEMBER 11, 2021
VETERAN'S DAY NOVEMBER 11, 2021 -THANK YOU! As the nation celebrates Veterans Day, take a moment to recognize and thank the veterans in your community. In every field, every business, veterans help America thrive.
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Proposed Changes to Estate Taxes
To help raise revenue to pay for President Biden’s Build Back Better Plan, Congress is considering a number of tax law changes, including adjusting estate taxes. One of the proposals would reduce the estate tax exemption to...
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Market Insights November 1, 2021
A fresh wave of positive corporate earnings surprises sent markets to new record highs last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased 0.40%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 rose 1.33%. The Nasdaq Composite index picked up...
Read MoreMARKET INSIGHTS FOR OCTOBER 25, 2021
Stocks rallied last week on a stream of positive corporate earnings surprises. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.08%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 advanced 1.64%. The Nasdaq Composite index gained 1.29% for the week....
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Congress Targets IRAs
These are proposals only (Released by the House Ways and Means Committee on September 13, 2021) Recent retirement proposals from Congress would upend planning strategies for retirement accounts, especially Roth IRAs. These changes are...
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Market Insights 10/4/2021
Market Insights 10/4/2021 Higher bond yields and a legislative stalemate in Washington, D.C., added up to losses for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 1.36%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 lost 2.21%. The...
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How long has it been since you’ve reviewed your Medicare policy?
How long has it been since you’ve reviewed your Medicare policy? With open enrollment fast approaching, there are a few questions you may want to ask yourself before you renew, add, drop, or switch coverage. Have you switched...
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MARKET INSIGHTS FOR 9/13/21
In a quiet week of news, stocks moved lower amid simmering concerns over the Delta variant’s effect on the progress of economic reopening. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 2.15%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...
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The September Effect
The September Effect The stock market notched its 7th straight month of gains in August, and the Standard & Poor's 500 index has set 53 new highs so far in 2021.1 During August, stocks rallied as investors looked past the increased...
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Eight Mistakes That Can Upend Your Retirement
Pursuing your retirement dreams is challenging enough without making some common, and very avoidable, mistakes. Here are eight big mistakes to steer clear of, if possible. 1. NO STRATEGY: Yes, the biggest mistake is having no strategy...
Read MoreYour End-of-Summer Checklist
Your End-of-Summer Checklist by Michelle Sutton-Kerchner Before summer slips away, be sure you check these off your (sand) bucket list … Most of us still are waiting for the relaxation summer promises. Some of us are starting to...
Read MoreMARKET INSIGHTS FOR AUGUST 2, 2021
MARKET INSIGHTS FOR AUGUST 2, 2021 The stock market posted small losses last week despite a very strong showing by corporate America. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.36%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 lost 0.37%. The...
Read MoreCountdown to College
As a parent, you of course want to give your child the best opportunity for success, and for many, attending the “right” university or college is that opportunity. Unfortunately, being accepted to the college of one’s...
Read MoreMid-Year Financial Check-Up
With June officially behind us, it’s time to face the facts: we’re headed toward the second half of 2021. While there’s still plenty of time to enjoy the rest of summer, we encourage you to slow down and check up on...
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The Cryptocurrency Conundrum
Recently, you may have seen a number of major cryptocurrencies fall thanks to a continuing sell-off that began last week. In fact, over $250 billion was lost in the crypto market alone.1 It may be tempting to view this as another...
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Buffet and Powell Talk Inflation
What does it mean when two of the most powerful voices in American financial life seem to be saying two different things? In one corner, we have the “Oracle of Omaha,” investor Warren Buffett. As one of the nation’s...
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LONG-TERM IRA PLANNING FOR LONG-TERM CARE
Money saved and invested in IRAs and qualified plans can grow tax-deferred to generate income later in life. While retirees would like to enjoy the pursuits that make their hearts content, they must also expend money on physical...
Read MoreProtecting Your Financial Assets and Planning for Uncertainty in the Future
A recent survey shows that 63% of investors are more interested in protecting their financial assets and planning for uncertainty in the future than anything else.1 There are many reasons for this change, but here are a few of the...
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Will Power
Only 45 percent of adults have a will or other estate documents in place, which may not be entirely surprising.1 No one wants to be reminded of their own mortality or spend too much time thinking about what might happen once...
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5 Strategies to Reduce Your 2020 Tax Bill
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 passed by Congress on March 10, 2021 includes many non-tax provisions to help address the COVID pandemic. There are also tax provisions in this law that may help you reduce your 2020 taxes. The IRS...
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I.R.S. Has Delayed The Deadline For Filing and Paying Taxes. New Deadline is May 17, 2021
Less than one month ahead of the traditional date, the I.R.S. has delayed the deadline for filing and paying taxes. The new deadline is May 17, 2021.1,2,3 The delay follows continued disruption from the COVID-19 pandemic and a late...
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How the Internet Gamed Wall Street's Short Sellers
You may have heard the news about stocks for certain companies suddenly ballooning, quickly going from lunch money prices to several hundred dollars a share. In one case, the shares rose over 1700% since December 2020.1 So, what gives?...
Read MoreHere’s What Financial Freedom Really Means — and 8 Steps to Get There
Maybe you dream of waking up next to the ocean on a gorgeous piece of land you own, surrounded by nature, with zero internet because you never need to work again. Or maybe you dream of waking up somewhere other than your childhood...
Read MoreRebalancing Your Portfolio
Rebalancing Your Portfolio Everyone loves a winner. If an investment is successful, most people naturally want to stick with it. But is that the best approach? It may sound counterintuitive, but it may be possible to have too much of a...
Read MoreCOVID-19 Relief Bill Signed into Law
A new $900 billion COVID-19 stimulus package passed by Congress was signed into law by President Trump on December 27, 2020. What's most important about the legislation is what's not in it. It does not extend the CARES Act provisions...
Read MoreNovember Is Long Term Care Month
Addressing the potential threat of long-term care expenses may be one of the biggest financial challenges for individuals who are developing a retirement strategy. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates that 70% of...
Read MoreSome Long-Term Care Thoughts from a Long-Time Subscriber
" I had a comment about LTC coverage, my mom had a number of health issues and required institutional 24/7 "memory" care the final year of her life. My dad found out the hard way how expensive the care costs in 2017. It was over $12...
Read MoreDON'T LET HEADLINES GET YOU DOWN
Even in “normal” times, the news can be depressing. But these days, it can seem like there’s an awful lot to worry about. Here’s a sampling of the types of headlines I’ve seen recently: Why US hospitals...
Read MoreWeathering The Storm
Carol Schmidlin Presents Live Webinar! Weathering the Storm A lot has changed since the beginning of 2020. There are slogans we've all heard like "We're all in this together" and "This is our new normal". While this may be true, we...
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The Average Social Security Beneficiary Is Getting a 7% "Raise" in 2020
Stimulus Check Payouts Will Put More Green Into Seniors' Pockets This Year As of a little more than a week ago, there were in excess of 2.2 million confirmed cases of this respiratory illness worldwide, with more than 153,000 deaths...
Read MoreMonthly Market Insights | April 2020
The spread of COVID-19 sent stocks tumbling, as the healthand economic costs of the pandemic continue to mount. Click HERE for important information.
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Rattled By The Market Drop? You're Not Alone
We have witnessed some extraordinary moves in the financial markets during the past few trading sessions. In recent days, the Standard & Poor’s 500 index has fallen by over 7 percent more than once. Ongoing concerns over the...
Read MoreCorona Virus and Market Downturn
Corona Virus and Market Downturn For those who may have missed Carol's live webinar, please click here and then download to access. The Corona Virus Pandemic is an unprecedented event that has impacted everyone in some way or another....
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CORONA VIRUS AND THE MARKETS
Key Takeaways The Wuhan coronavirus has unnerved global equity markets so far in 2020. While still early, compared to the SARS outbreak in late 2002/early 2003, investors are concerned about the possible impact to economies and on...
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The Bucket Plan
THE BUCKET PLAN According to The Bucket Plan, one of the worst behavioral mistakes you can make as an investor is panicking during times of volatility and selling your holdings. The Bucket Plan approach can help take emotion out of the...
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ESTATE LIQUIDITY PLAN
ESTATE LIQUIDITY PLAN During client review meetings, we’ve noticed that a number of our clients are ending up with a slight gap in their estate plan. There are a few ways to manage your final expenses when you pass away. However,...
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Six Key Retirement Changes of the Secure Act
Six Key Retirement Changes of the Secure ActBy: Carol Schmidlin January 2, 2020/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by Karen Dzierzynski The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement (SECURE) Enhancement Act was signed into law by President...
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Eighteen Years' Worth of Days
The average retirement lasts for 18 years, with many lasting even longer. Will you fill your post-retirement days with purpose? Imagine this: it’s your last day on the job. A whole career behind you. You say goodbye to your...
Read MoreHow Will the U.S. and Iran Conflict Affect Oil?
HOW WILL THE U.S. AND IRAN CONFLICT AFFECT OIL? Historically, a Middle East crisis has led to spikes in the oil market, which have been followed by recessions. However, record domestic oil production has made the U.S. less dependent on...
Read MoreSix Key Retirement Changes of the Secure Act
Six Key Retirement Changes of the Secure Act By: Carol Schmidlin The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement (SECURE) Enhancement Act was signed into law by President Trump on December 20, 2019. This is the most extensive retirement...
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QCD RULES FOR 2020 YOU NEED TO KNOW
TEN QCD RULES FOR 2020 YOU NEED TO KNOW If you are charitably inclined and have an IRA, you might want to consider doing a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) for 2020. In addition to the gift you are making to the charity, there...
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Potential for a Market Correction When Drawing Income From Your Retirement Accounts
There are Many Risks in Retirement, But, With Today’s Market Valuation, One of The Biggest Risks is The Potential for a Market Correction While You Are Drawing Income From Your Retirement Accounts. Academically, this risk is...
Read MoreAre you taking advantage of tax breaks through qualified charitable distributions?
Everyone who is subject to Required Minimum Distributions who gives to a charity should use Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs), but must qualify by being age 70 ½ or over. Say for example you give $10,000 to your church...
Read MoreThe Rally in 2019
A TALE OF TWO ASSETS BY: KEZIA SAMUEL, CAIA INVESTMENT COMMITTEE MEMBER SENIOR VP, CHIEF PORTFOLIO STRATEGIST So far, 2019 has proven to be a very different year in markets compared to 2018. Prospects of a U.S./China trade deal and a...
Read MoreHow to prepare for tax season
THE TAX CUTS AND JOBS ACT The countdown begins. Once the clock rolls us into 2019, tax season gets underway. The old calendar year, 2018, will have been put officially to rest.Deductions from your paychecks and other income sources...
Read MoreNow is the time to seize the day
Last January, the feature articles in our newsletter were “Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Roth IRA”, and “Highlights of the Trump Tax Plan”. Many of you have taken advantage of funding Roth IRAs and...
Read MoreAccumulation, Preservation & Distribution Planning
In speaking to hundreds of people approaching retirement each year, I very rarely hear people understanding the three phases of money. Let’s start with the accumulation phase. When we are accumulating assets, we are typically...
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