Posts by Financial Design Studio, Inc.
US Economic Indicators Are Strong But China Doubt Lingers
A couple of economic indicators reported this week helped the market to stay strong. Trade discussions with China have kept the market uneasy though. US Weekly Jobless claims fell more than expected. This means that more people are finding jobs! Maybe you have firsthand knowledge of a friend or family member being able to find…
Read More[Video] New 2019 Contribution Limits
STEPHEN SMALENBERGER, EA ® As we step into a new tax year, we’re probably thinking, “How much can I put into certain accounts? I remember what I did in 2018, but has anything changed for 2019?” Let’s talk about that so you can make the most of your tax exceptions towards retirement. 401K/403B For 2019,…
Read MoreDon’t Do This To Yourself!
It’s On…No, It’s Off…Maybe…It’s Back On, It’s Off Again…this was the story of the week! This week’s investment story was China. How the deal that has been talked about for many months was on and off again over the course of days. Don’t drive yourself crazy! Did this week bring panic or fear after a…
Read More[Video] Calculate Your Spending Without A Budget
MICHELLE SMALENBERGER, CFP ® Let’s talk about something that most people like to do – Spend money. Let’s also talk about something not everyone wants to do – keep a budget… If I were to ask you this question, “How much do you spend?” Would you be able to answer it? And how you answer…
Read MoreAre Interest Rates the Only Story in Town?
We’ve been discussing market factors we are watching, recently. The recent items have included global trade with China, corporate earnings season, and interest rates. This week the Federal Reserve Chair, Jerome Powell, spoke again about direction for interest rates. The market pulled back for a couple days after his speech. I want to consider whether…
Read More[Video] Big vs. Little Financial Decisions
MICHELLE SMALENBERGER, CFP ® Do you ever catch yourself thinking about expenses in a sense that, “I’m spending so much”. Or, “This is going to cost me a lot, I’m not keeping much”. If so, you might categorize your expenses in your mind “Big Versus Little”. I often think with these big decisions we’re really…
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