Office desk with charts, calculator, glasses, magnifying glass, and smartphone for retirement planning and financial security.

Key Takeaways from This Year’s Midyear Financial Forecasts

09/10/2024

Sometimes it is wise to take a look back ahead of a journey forward. We have been scrutinizing the midyear outlooks published by various financial institutions and respected strategists back in June. Our aim is to provide valuable context as we approach what could be a turbulent period. With a Presidential election right around the…

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"Tree growing from a globe with money leaves, symbolizing ESG investing and financial growth for retirement planning."

The Green Gold Rush: A Comprehensive Guide to ESG Investing in 2024

09/03/2024

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing has gained significant attention in recent years, but many investors remain confused about its meaning, effectiveness, and potential impact on returns. ESG investing is a strategy that considers environmental, social, and governance factors alongside traditional financial metrics when making investment decisions. Here’s a breakdown of what each component means:…

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A roller coaster with dollar signs, symbolizing financial ups and downs in retirement planning.

Investor Psychology: Navigating Market Volatility

09/03/2024

Imagine the stock market takes a nosedive. Your retirement account value plummets, and anxiety sets in. Logic tells you to stay calm, but the urge to act becomes overwhelming. This scenario illustrates the power of investor psychology, which influences both individual consumers and professional money managers. The key is to recognize the behavior and take…

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Cartoon cat in a wheelchair with glasses, representing senior lifestyle and aging population.

We Need All the Help we Can Get: a plan for an aging population

08/27/2024

The term “silver tsunami” has gained traction as a metaphor for our rapidly aging population. However, unlike actual tsunamis that offer little warning, demographic shifts provide ample notice. The question is: Will we use this foresight to prepare, or will inaction leave us vulnerable to the challenges ahead? The Latest… The Department of Health and…

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"Stick figure chasing money, illustrating the challenges of financial security and retirement planning for seniors."

Will I Run Out of Money?

08/27/2024

Worrying about running out of money is at the top of the list of concerns for those planning for retirement or already there. Whether you’ve diligently saved a small fortune or you’re working with more modest means, the transition from saving to spending can feel almost terrifying. Of course, no one can answer this question…

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Cartoon character contrasting Monday blues with Friday happiness, symbolizing work-life balance and retirement planning.

Staggered Retirement

08/19/2024

Last week in our discussion of J.P.Morgan’s 2019 study Three Retirement Surprises we examined why the conventional wisdom of the 4% rule may not always apply. In a follow up study this year, they examined what happens to spending in households where couples do not retire at the same time. Their data concluded that partially…

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"Retirement planning tools with graphs, calculator, and suitcase symbolizing financial security and senior lifestyle."

Is 60/40 Still a Thing?

08/19/2024

The 60/40 portfolio (60% equities, 40% bonds) has been a staple of investment strategy for decades. But did we adopt this approach simply because it was the best we could do with the limited investment options available at the time? While this strategy has generally performed well, it’s worth questioning whether it’s truly foolproof, especially…

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social security please hold

Social Security, Please Hold

08/12/2024

Thank you for calling Social Security, Your Estimated Wait Time is… No matter what the situation is, sometimes when we have a problem, we just want to speak to someone. We don’t want to listen to a lengthy message only to click on some options and then be told we can’t be helped and ‘good…

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Why does Retirement Feel Expensive

Why does Retirement Feel Expensive?

08/12/2024

Over the years, we’ve been exposed to countless presentations on how financial advisors model retirement plans for their clients. Despite the common disclaimers that each plan is unique and tailored to individual circumstances, we’ve noticed a striking consistency: most advisors still rely on the 4% Rule as their primary strategy. This observation persists across the…

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Cartoon Vector illustration of a big pile of money banknotes

JUNK Fees

08/05/2024

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is taking companies to task to make sure you aren’t getting taken to the cleaners. Their plan is to save you billion$. To start, note that there is nothing wrong or illegal about adding fees to a service – the issue is that they are not being properly disclosed. Since they are…

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