Joshua Sacks, CFP®, Director of Financial Planning It is that time of year again. The days are getting shorter. The thermostat has been switched to “heat”. There is a seemingly endless supply of leaves finding their way onto your lawn. To top it all off, the 2019 cost of living adjustment for social security income
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Trade Winds July 16, 2018 After the volatility spike in the first quarter, returns from U.S. stocks steadied in the second quarter and saw positive performance.  In contrast, returns from stock markets outside the U.S. experienced pressure with the broad indices for both developed and emerging markets finishing lower in the quarter.  The declines were
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Bradley Williams, Chief Investment Officer June 11, 2018 The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) is commonly looked to in determining the beginning and end of economic cycles.  The organization has compiled economic data from 1854, delineating the peak, trough, and length of each business cycle in the United States. The current economic expansion, according
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The Economy is Good, Maybe Too Good Inflationary Pressures Build, Interest Rates Rise The story of the economy has been akin to a Cadillac meeting a series of jolting potholes.  It’s an uncomfortable ride, but the vehicle continues to progress, and it’s not clear whether or not any of the road imperfections are producing lasting
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Your credit score is an important piece of your financial life. Many people understand that their credit score will be taken into account when they apply for credit. Common examples include applying for a mortgage, car loan, student loan, credit card, etc. However, your credit score can also be checked by cell phone companies, utility
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Volatility Returns April 19, 2018 The remarkable calm enjoyed by the markets last year finally gave way in January of this year.  Following early gains to start the year, equity markets reversed abruptly in late January and saw sharp declines on concerns over higher interest rates and trade policy.  February and early March then saw
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Remarkable Year January 19, 2018 It’s probably safe to say no one foresaw how the past year would play out for financial markets, particularly given the backdrop of various news events.  Equities had a very strong year virtually everywhere, achieving a multitude of milestones for index prices and minimal volatility.   Over the year the
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