Broker Check

Blog

Wednesday, September 20, 2023

Sometimes it makes sense to keep your mortgage in retirement, sometimes it doesn't. Find out what strategy works best for you. Some 44% of homeowners ages 60 to 70 carry a mortgage with them into retirement, according to mortgage...

Monday, September 18, 2023

Sometimes it makes sense to keep your mortgage in retirement, sometimes it doesn't. Find out what strategy works best for you. Some 44% of homeowners ages 60 to 70 carry a mortgage with them into retirement, according to mortgage...

Thursday, September 14, 2023

📢 Attention 📢 Get ready for some market reaction in September due to "headline risk," referring to the possibility of unsettling news events causing volatility in the financial markets. Congress is working on passing a...

Sunday, September 10, 2023

Concerns that the Fed may raise interest rates soured investor sentiment, sending stocks lower in a holiday-shortened trading week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.75%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 declined 1.29%....

Sunday, September 10, 2023

Are you already planning for the end of the year? Where did the time go? In this edition, we’ll be looking into navigating Medicare for the first time, particularly if you are under the age of 65. Don’t forget Medicare...

Show All

Wednesday, September 6, 2023

In the past ten years, the amount of money held in retail money market funds ebb and flowed. But looking at the chart below, you see something interesting that happened in the last two years. Cash being held in retail money market...

Wednesday, September 6, 2023

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 increased...

Wednesday, August 23, 2023

  MRFC - International Association of Registered Financial Consultants                                           ...

Saturday, August 19, 2023

Baby boomers born from 1960 to 1965 are in big trouble when it comes to retirement savings. The so-called late boomers, nearing retirement, have less wealth than earlier boomer cohorts, according to a new brief published by...

Thursday, August 17, 2023

August is Make a Will Month, a time dedicated to strategizing for the future. You may have seen in the news that Aretha Franklin's loved ones are still caught in a legal battle due to the existence of multiple wills. The lesson from...

Thursday, August 10, 2023

The current market rally has lasted roughly nine months, about the length of the market's downtrend in 2022. While the Standard & Poor's 500 remains well below the high, the downtrend and the uptrend are starting to look similar. The...

Thursday, August 10, 2023

Don’t be surprised to see a few more volatile days this month as we get updates on inflation and the jobs market–two key economic numbers tracked by the Fed. Also, don’t be surprised to see some market volatility when...

Tuesday, August 8, 2023

Retirement income from defined benefit plans catches a break in these states. | Retirement income comes in all forms, and pension payouts are just one of them. To the federal government, most pension payouts are fully taxable as income...

Friday, August 4, 2023

You could live several decades or longer in retirement; how can you provide for income far into the future? Possible tactics:  Buy an immediate annuity. You can buy such annuities in several forms. They can cover your life...

Wednesday, August 2, 2023

Here are some key insights into the June Consumer Price Index (CPI):    Core CPI, excluding volatile food and energy prices, rose by only 0.16% for the month. This is the lowest reading in over two years, marking a...

Wednesday, August 2, 2023

A Friday surge pushed stocks solidly into positive territory last week, ignited by cooling in an inflation gauge closely tracked by the Federal Reserve.  The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 0.66%, while the Standard &...

Thursday, July 27, 2023

Roughly every six weeks Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell delivers a report card that rates the economy’s future performance. This comes along with each decision the central bank makes on interest rates. The latest move —...

Wednesday, July 26, 2023

The accompanying table shows that 98% of investors believe the Fed will raise short-term interest rates from 0.25% to between 5.25% and 5.5% at its July meeting. But after July, the Fed Chair and investors disagreed about what will...

Wednesday, July 26, 2023

Like some of my clients, you may have seen the latest regarding Aretha Franklin's estate. The Queen of Soul passed away in 2018, and years later, her loved ones are still caught in legal trials thanks to the existence of multiple wills...

Tuesday, June 20, 2023

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%,...

Tuesday, June 20, 2023

Summer is traditionally regarded as a sluggish time for U.S. stocks, given the Wall Street adage: “Sell in May and go away.” This year, though, may turn out to be markedly different from past years. One reason is bullish...

Thursday, June 15, 2023

Here’s a riddle. “I’m a two-word phrase that we heard almost every day for two years, but it has dropped from almost all economic talk in 2023?”Answer: Supply chain.As you can see from the accompanying chart,...

Tuesday, June 13, 2023

When you think of a trust, you may have visions of contentious family gatherings in an attorney’s office after the death of a patriarch or matriarch. And sure, why not add sibling rivalries on par with the Roy family...

Monday, June 12, 2023

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...

Monday, June 12, 2023

All income you receive is taxable unless the rules explicitly state it isn’t. According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), taxable income includes earned income like wages and any income earned by providing a service or the...

Thursday, June 8, 2023

With summertime fun in full swing and temperatures rising, OPEC+ has announced broad measures to boost flagging oil prices.Saudi Arabia plans to reduce July production to 9 million BPD (barrels per day). That's 1 million less than in...

Tuesday, June 6, 2023

Now that the debt ceiling negotiations are behind us and President Biden has signed the measure, what will Wall Street's wandering eye focus on next?Inflation? Interest rates? Recession? Artificial intelligence?More than likely,...

Tuesday, June 6, 2023

Stocks surged higher in the closing days of a holiday-shortened trading week, ignited by a political resolution on raising the debt ceiling and a strong employment report.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.02%, while the Standard...

Thursday, June 1, 2023

What is a bull market, and more importantly, who determines if we are in one?Technically speaking, a bull market is defined as a 20% gain in a stock market index, such as the Standard & Poor's 500, from a closing low.So are we in one?...

Thursday, June 1, 2023

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. is rapidly approaching the deadline for Congress to pass a deal, reached over the weekend by Democratic President Joe Biden and top congressional Republican Kevin McCarthy, to suspend the government's...

Thursday, May 25, 2023

Memorial Day is about honoring the brave service members who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country. Every year, I'm reminded of how deeply grateful I am for their courage and humbled by their dedication to securing our...

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

The Baby Boomer generation is reaching retirement age in record numbers. With more Boomers retiring on a daily basis, it helps to understand how prepared they are to leave their jobs for good. In this article, we’ll discuss the...

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Many Americans see retirement first as a process of saving enough money and, when that goal is met, finally settling into rest and relaxation in their later years.But several challenges often threaten to derail that end game, a new...

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

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 &...

Friday, May 19, 2023

Summer’s here, and the time is right for fun in the sun (or shade). Like many of us, you’re probably looking forward to an extended getaway or family trip. But summer also means planning for hot weather, which can come with...

Friday, May 19, 2023

Would it surprise you to hear that investors have moved past worrying about inflation? They have, at least for now.Wall Street has shifted its attention to Washington’s budget negotiations and how the debt ceiling will be...

Monday, May 15, 2023

Stocks were mixed last week as good inflation news was offset by mounting debt ceiling concerns and rekindled regional banking fears.The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.11%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 slipped 0.29%. The...

Monday, May 15, 2023

Would it surprise you to hear that investors have moved past worrying about inflation? They have, at least for now.Wall Street has shifted its attention to Washington’s budget negotiations and how the debt ceiling will be...

Friday, May 12, 2023

The United States has the largest GDP in the world in nominal terms, and urban areas are a major contributor to the country’s economic might. In fact, metropolitan areas account for roughly 90% of U.S. economic output.In this...

Friday, May 12, 2023

The TSP has announced an update to the “My Account” home page portal for account holders to monitor their investments and make transactions, in what it terms as a “response to feedback about what participants prefer...

Wednesday, May 10, 2023

I wanted to take a moment to update you on the potential changes to Social Security benefits for 2024. As I'm sure you know, the Social Security Administration calculates annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) based on the Consumer...

Tuesday, May 9, 2023

Don't hold a surprise birthday party for Jerome Powell. He would hate it. And if you plan on visiting the Fed Chair, call first. He doesn't like surprises.Powell delivered on his March promise at the most recent Fed meeting by...

Tuesday, May 9, 2023

A Friday rebound, triggered by a big tech company’s earnings beat and a strong jobs report, shaved much of the week’s accumulated losses.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.24%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...

Friday, May 5, 2023

Financial markets can be challenging to understand. And when markets enter a “bad news is good news” cycle, it becomes even more challenging to follow along.Stock prices rallied at the end of April after the Commerce...

Friday, May 5, 2023

It's the month of May, the month that ushers in everyone's favorite holiday. No, not Mother's Day, Memorial Day, or Cinco de Mayo.National 529 Day!While we are big fans of all of the above; 529 Day is a dedicated time to focus on...

Monday, May 1, 2023

It’s May 1986. The Cosby Show and Family Ties are the top-rated TV shows. Top Gun starring Tom Cruise and Cobra starring Sylvester Stallone are boffo box office. Addicted to Love by Robert Palmer and Kiss by Prince top the pop...

Monday, May 1, 2023

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 &...

Tuesday, April 25, 2023

Last year’s soaring inflation rate contributed to a big dip in retirement savings for millions of Americans, and the problem might not get much better this year unless inflation falls well below current levels...

Tuesday, April 25, 2023

Stocks remained resilient last week amid mixed earnings reports, hawkish Fed-speak, and lingering recession fears, closing out the five trading days with small losses.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.23%, while the Standard &...

Tuesday, April 25, 2023

From my perspective, we can't hear the word "better" enough in the weeks ahead."Better than expected." "Better than feared." "Better than forecasted."These are winning phrases that can be used by market pundits when they compare a...

Tuesday, April 25, 2023

Friday, April 21, 2023

It’s our mission to provide our clients with a timely market commentary of the prior quarter’s financial market performance, key economic releases, and policy developments.Please see the most recent Quarterly Market Review...

Wednesday, April 19, 2023

Highs And Lows of U.S. Cashflow Will Make for A Bumpy Ride, Intensifying The Partisan Stalemate As The Nation Moves Closer To Defaulting On Its $31.4 Trillion In Debt.The U.S. Will Default On Its $31.4 Trillion Debt This Year If...

Wednesday, April 19, 2023

If your Social Security benefits are cut, what impact could this have on your retirement portfolio?Over the last few months, there has been a lot of talk around Social Security and the issues with the amount of money within the fund....

Tuesday, April 18, 2023

Monday, April 17, 2023

The combination of an improving inflation outlook resulted in a week of uneven, albeit positive, performance, in which cyclical and financial stocks rallied while technology, real estate, and utilities lagged. The Dow Jones...

Monday, April 17, 2023

In today's world, having access to cash is an essential part of any financial plan. It gives you the freedom and flexibility to make the most of opportunities that come your way while also providing a safety net for when the unexpected...

Monday, April 17, 2023

Recently, you may have seen reports that the so-called “depletion date” for Social Security was adjusted. This refers to the predicted date when the long-running program will no longer be able to pay full benefits.Barring...

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Just a quick reminder that the last day to make 2022 contributions to certain retirement accounts is fast approaching. In most cases, the contribution deadline is the same as your tax return filing deadline. For instance, you can make...

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Recently, you may have seen reports that the so-called “depletion date” for Social Security was adjusted. This refers to the predicted date when the long-running program will no longer be able to pay full benefits.Barring...

Monday, April 3, 2023

Stocks rallied last week on receding fears of a widening banking crisis, led by resurging investor interest in technology and communication services names.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 3.22%, while the Standard & Poor’s...

Monday, April 3, 2023

Market timing must be exhausting. Always moving in and out of the markets based on economic analysis or business headlines must be so challenging.The accompanying chart shows that money held in money market mutual funds rose to $5.1...

Friday, March 31, 2023

It can be pretty easy to find things to worry about in today's economy. For example, according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), the average price of eggs increased by 60 percent in 2022. That means their price rose faster than almost...

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

t's natural to wonder exactly how a bank safeguards your money. Fortunately, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insurance exists for this very reason: to help protect your funds once deposited. Read on to explore the...

Tuesday, March 28, 2023

President Joe Biden’s order that federal employees get vaccinated against COVID-19 has been blocked by a federal appeals court.The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, in a decision Thursday, rejected...

Tuesday, March 28, 2023

Jerome Powell is a man of his word. And the financial markets believe that's an excellent trait for the Federal Reserve Chairman.Powell told the financial markets to prepare for a 25 basis points increase in short-term rates in early...

Thursday, March 23, 2023

Kurt Czarnowski is currently the principal in “Czarnowski Consulting,” a retirement planning firm which in now in its 12th year of providing “Expert Answers to Your Social Security Questions. He is the former Regional...

Thursday, March 23, 2023

With so much of our lives spent online, it’s sad to think of losing the important stuff. Pictures of your kids and grandkids; Personal items like cherished emails, texts, and voicemails from loved ones; Or the notes for that book...

Wednesday, March 22, 2023

What is financial fitness? We are all familiar with the term physical fitness, and if pressed for a definition, we might define it in terms of our strength and health level. When it comes to an explanation of financial fitness, the...

Wednesday, March 22, 2023

Amid the reverberations of two U.S. banks being taken over by regulators and the spread of uncertainty to European banks, stocks trended higher last week on the strength of the technology sector.The Dow Jones Industrial Average was...

Thursday, March 16, 2023

When events like Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank happen, it's natural to wonder how a bank safeguards your funds. Fortunately, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insurance was designed for this very reason:...

Monday, March 13, 2023

Stocks tumbled last week as investors reconsidered their interest rate expectations after Fed Chair Powell’s Congressional testimony that rates may need to go higher. Stocks also were rattled when a west coast bank was placed...

Thursday, March 9, 2023

Jerome Powell would be terrible to have in your book club. He would always reveal how the book would end.When the Fed Chair spoke following the Fed meeting in February, he said, “we’re in the early stages of...

Thursday, March 9, 2023

March is Women's History Month, a time to recognize the remarkable contributions of women throughout history. This year's theme is "Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories," We're honored to share a few examples of women who continue to...

Tuesday, March 7, 2023

FSI Advocates for Main Street Americans’ Access to Objective, Affordable Financial AdviceCarol Schmidlin of Franklin Planning LLC announced she has renewed membership with the Financial Services Institute (FSI) in Washington, D.C...

Monday, March 6, 2023

A late-week surge, triggered by reassuring Fed-speak, propelled stocks higher last week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.75%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 advanced 1.90%. The Nasdaq Composite index picked up 2.58% for...

Monday, February 27, 2023

Concerns over a firmer monetary policy were heightened by fresh economic data, touching off a climb in bond yields and a slide in stock prices last week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average skidded 2.99%, while the Standard & Poor’s...

Monday, February 27, 2023

Tuesday, February 21, 2023

Growing concerns about further interest rate hikes, prompted by fresh economic data, reversed early-week gains and left stocks mixed for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.13%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...

Tuesday, February 21, 2023

In the final days of 2022, Congress passed a new set of retirement rules designed to make it easier to contribute to retirement plans and access those funds earmarked for retirement.The law is called SECURE 2.0, and it's a follow-up to...

Thursday, February 16, 2023

The time following Valentine's Day has always served as a reminder that Spring is on the way. The days are getting longer, the birds and the bees are doing their thing, and people everywhere are thinking about future travel and...

Thursday, February 16, 2023

Would it surprise you that the U.K. stock market is hitting new all-time highs and several other European markets are either at new highs or approaching new all-time highs?It seems like only a few months ago, European economies...

Wednesday, February 15, 2023

Required minimum distributions (RMDs) have been in the financial/investing news a lot over the last several years.  RMDs came into being when Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs) were introduced back in 1974.  Their...

Monday, February 13, 2023

Stocks drifted lower as a week of mixed earnings reports and resurgent worries over Fed monetary policy dragged on investor sentiment. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.17%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 declined...

Monday, February 13, 2023

The stock market can provide some head-scratching moments, which is why I like Warren Buffet’s quote, “...don’t watch the market closely.”Stocks have been strong this year, and they rallied sharply before...

Friday, February 10, 2023

The history of the United States is a tapestry embroidered with many cultures. One of the most vivid and complicated historical threads is those belonging to Black Americans. The accomplishments of many individuals, named and unnamed,...

Friday, February 10, 2023

The stock market can provide some head-scratching moments, which is why I like Warren Buffet’s quote, “...don’t watch the market closely.”Stocks have been strong this year, and they rallied sharply before...

Tuesday, February 7, 2023

As the biggest sporting event of the year approaches, football fans all over the nation (including us) are gearing up for the Big Game on Sunday, February 12, at 6:30 PM ET.For many, Sunday means a day of tasty tailgating and...

Tuesday, February 7, 2023

"Is the bear market over?"That's a question I've been asked a number of times in recent weeks. And my answer is the same, "Let's give it a little time."But people are quick to remind me that stocks are off to a good start in 2023,...

Sunday, February 5, 2023

"Is the bear market over?"That's a question I've been asked a number of times in recent weeks. And my answer is the same, "Let's give it a little time."But people are quick to remind me that stocks are off to a good start in 2023,...

Saturday, February 4, 2023

As the biggest sporting event of the year approaches, football fans all over the nation (including us) are gearing up for the Big Game on Sunday, February 12, at 6:30 PM ET.For many, Sunday means a day of tasty tailgating and...

Monday, January 30, 2023

You may have heard the saying, “inflation hurts savers and benefits borrowers.” The expression suggests that borrowers benefit from inflation because they pay back lenders with dollars worth less than when the money...

Monday, January 30, 2023

Stocks added to their early 2023 gains amid a busy stream of mixed corporate earnings results and conflicting economic data.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.81%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 added 2.47%. The Nasdaq...

Monday, January 23, 2023

Stocks showed mixed results last week as recession fears resurfaced in response to weak economic data and a tepid start to a new corporate earnings season.  The Dow Jones Industrial Average skidded 2.70%, while the Standard &...

Monday, January 23, 2023

National Financial Wellness Month comes each January. It's a time to remind people to either establish a financial strategy or take some time to sit down and review it with their trusted financial professional.For me, it's time for me...

Thursday, January 19, 2023

Stocks rallied last week thanks to fresh confirmation of inflation’s cooling trend and growing optimism that an inflation slowdown may provide the Fed with space to ease up on future rate hikes.The Dow Jones Industrial Average...

Wednesday, January 18, 2023

The December inflation report had some encouraging news. It showed that consumer prices trended lower for the month, but more importantly, it confirmed that overall prices have been trending lower for the past six months.Now the ball...

Thursday, January 12, 2023

Have you enrolled in Medicare, or are you considering it? If so, you should know that anyone who receives Medicare is eligible to receive Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage.However, if you don’t enroll for that coverage...

Tuesday, January 10, 2023

It’s our mission to provide our clients with a timely market commentary of the prior quarter’s financial market performance, key economic releases, and policy developments.Please see the most recent Quarterly Market Review...

Tuesday, January 10, 2023

In the final days of 2022, Congress passed a new set of retirement rules designed to make it easier to contribute to retirement plans and access those funds earmarked for retirement.The law is called SECURE 2.0, and it's a follow-up to...

Thursday, January 5, 2023

In a holiday-shortened week, erratic trading left stocks marginally down for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.17%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 slipped 0.14%. The Nasdaq Composite index fell 0.30%. The MSCI...

Wednesday, January 4, 2023

Congress spent the final days of 2022 on new reforms designed to help Americans save more for retirement.You may hear the changes called SECURE Act 2.0, which is a follow-up to the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement...