Anyone can seem like a good financial advisor when markets are doing well. The expectation investors have when investing in capital markets is to make money, so when expectations are easy to meet, the bar tends to be set pretty low. However, it’s downturns in the markets that separate great financial advisors from mediocre ones. It’s times like these when people may wonder what their financial advisor is doing during this bear market.
It all started when a project on my honey-do list required me to dust off the circular saw. I discovered an interest in woodworking... Most people start their research on Google but fail to realize that everyone has a unique set of circumstances and goals, so general advice isn’t going to get you where you need to be, at least not efficiently. The same goes for financial advice. There are a lot of different ways to save and invest, but making sure you are using the right investments and saving your money in the right places will have a huge impact on the quality and success of your goals.
Dart Container, a major employer in the Greater Lansing area, has announced plans to lay off 250 workers, 160 of which are from the Mason headquarters. Dart Container's recent announcement of layoffs has undoubtedly caused concern and uncertainty for many. These job losses will most certainly have a significant impact on the Mason community as a whole.
I often field this question from clients around election season. I find that everyone has different motivations for it, as well. Some clients are understandably concerned about their retirement savings being negatively affected by a change (or sometimes a continuation) in leadership. However, almost equally, other people are excited about the growth opportunities and policy changes that a presidential election could bring.
It is often said that “half of marriages end in divorce.” The truth is that divorce rates have declined over the last ten years (1). Whether you choose to stay married or divorce, the amount of couples getting divorced is still staggering and it can happen to any of us. Divorce is far reaching, often affecting more than just the two people involved and their possessions. Family, friendships, children, businesses, real estate, income, assets, and retirement are a few things on that very long list.
In 2022, the US inflation rate was the highest it had been since the early 1980s (1). This puts a lot of strain on the income Americans are earning. Getting a raise, especially a significant one, can go a long way to helping pay for those increases in goods and services. In some cases, it can also be as much of a curse as a blessing. Here are some smart steps you can take to make the most of your raise.
Winning the lottery can be a life-changing event, and it's important to make wise decisions to ensure your financial and personal well-being. Here are some steps to consider if you win the lottery:
Two things in life are certain: death and taxes, but have you ever considered the impact your death has on the taxability of your things? Depending on how you are saving, you could potentially be passing a tax obligation onto your heirs.