In the past three years I have written an annual Social Security Article focusing on a different aspect of the program. None of the issues have changed, and I recommend reading those articles. In 2019, I wrote about how the Social Security Trust Fund does not hold any real assets…

The range of earnings reports broadened last week, but banks and financial companies remained a significant part of the mix. The headline earnings decline worsened, but the details were more supportive for stocks. The S&P 500 rose by 0.7% for the week. While the earnings from the smaller banks weren’t…

I receive a never-ending stream of investment research and news emails in my inbox. Most of them are unsolicited, and I usually ignore them. But a recent email from a respected research firm piqued my interest; it contained a 60-slide deck of fascinating economic and investment charts. The deck was…

How unhappy should a financial advisor be to consider change? Nine questions to gauge whether it’s time to start exploring options. “I am mostly happy. Business is good. I’m growing. I have a solid team. Yet, I wonder if there could be something better. Is it possible to be happier…

The Beatles once said that money can’t buy you love, but money also can’t buy you happiness. Financial planners see people from across the entire spectrum of wealth, and can tell you firsthand that there isn’t a correlation between more wealth and more happiness. Of course, there’s the caveat that…

Time is an increasingly precious commodity and financial advisors have to work even harder to connect with clients within the aptly named attention economy. Not only are households inundated with emails, work, and family matters taking their time but even TikTok videos of kittens are vying for people’s eyeballs. It’s…

Earnings season began last week, with 12 S&P 500 companies reporting. Banks and financial companies were a big part of the mix. Better news on consumer inflation (CPI) boosted stocks while lowering yields and expectations for Federal Reserve rate hikes. The S&P 500 soared by over 2.4% for the week,…

The news of the recent resolution of the Aretha Franklin estate is a high profile, and expensive, lesson in how not to manage copyrights in an estate. At least there was what the Court found to be her will, unlike the six yearlong court fight that resolved last year in…

As you enjoy your summer, keep in mind that mid-year is the perfect time to address your finances and ensure that your retirement is on track. So before you hit the beach or the mountains, take an hour or two and take a look at your financial picture. Double-Check Your…

What it takes to become a millionaire is quite simple, but sadly, it is not easy to achieve. While there are millions of millionaires in the USA, there are also millions more living paycheck to paycheck. Keep reading as this financial planner shares eight common mistakes that will keep you…