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Waiting For Fed & Trade Tension Direction
From trade tension to the Fed, the best way to describe this week’s market movement is simply with the word patience. The Fed Slowing Economy We learned from the Fed that they are watching economic data to point toward any interest rate changes or balance sheet changes needed ahead. This is welcome news to investors….
There’s Always A Market Risk
We’ve seen a nice week of markets moving higher which brings some welcome relief from all of the worries we had just a week or two ago. Much of this relief was brought by easing concerns that global tensions with China are getting better. So now that the government shutdown and global tensions are getting…
[Video] Life Insurance: Should I or Shouldn’t I?
STEPHEN SMALENBERGER, EA ® [Video] Life Insurance: Should I or Shouldn’t I? Here are a few questions around life insurance: Should I start, maintain, or stop a life insurance policy? Here are two different situations with different life stages and we will analyze the role of life insurance to help answer these questions! Starting A…
The State Of Your Portfolio
This week was the President’s annual State of the Union address. As of just a couple weeks ago we didn’t know if this address would take place. But the temporary end to the shutdown allowed for that talk to subside. And as a reminder, the looming deadline of February 15th still remains for the next…
Going for the [Financial] Goal
Many people know there’s a big football game ahead this weekend. Are you ready to enjoy it with all the friends and food that may be tradition? Just like you’ll be cheering your team on to go for the goal; you can also treat your investments like you’re going for the goal! To develop your…
[Video] A Financial Win/Loss Record
STEPHEN SMALENBERGER, EA ® I love sports and we are at the end of the football season. Now whether you are cheering for your favorite team or another team. I thought it would be a fun comparison between what teams need to consider and what we need to consider in our lives. No one talks…
Look Back For Change: Investment Appetite
We typically think to look forward when we want to see financial change. But have you ever looked back at the past to see if anything has changed that could affect the future outlook? Let’s consider our thoughts prior to the midterm elections and whether anything has changed that affects our thoughts ahead. Gridlock Prediction…
[Video] Financial Timing Is (Almost) Everything
MICHELLE SMALENBERGER, CFP ® Timing is everything! Well maybe in this situation timing isn’t everything; but it IS really important. What I’m talking about is that as you go through life there are things happening with your finances at each stage. Some obvious instances where timing really does matter are: Retirement – There are so…
Relief from Investment Worry: Recession, Trade, Q4
During the midst of the past few months a question we’ve asked is “How did you feel during the volatility of the past few months?” Were you concerned that it would affect your overall plan and started to worry? Were you reminded that the market doesn’t always move higher but has points of volatility over…
[Video] Forming Habits: Don’t get discouraged. Failure isn’t final.
MICHELLE SMALENBERGER, CFP ® Let’s quickly talk about something that can happen as you’re working toward goals you’ve set. This is simply the attitude of being discouraged. Today as you’ve started to make a change in your habits you may start off strong. After a few days of progress something happens to get you off…
Keeping Watch On Interest Rates, Trade Tension, & Government Shutdown
We’ve seen an encouraging week that has witnessed the market making positive strides forward! This progress is encouraging. Let’s discuss a number of items we are paying attention that can affect how the market moves in the coming days. Global Trade Tension: This item alone holds so much potential for higher market movement. Whatever description…
[Video] Understanding Income & Expenses
STEPHEN & MICHELLE SMALENBERGER, EA & CFP ® Maybe you feel like you’re living paycheck to paycheck or that you’re just spending too much. Here’s some ways that you can get this under control. What am I spending today? Take your past credit card or bank account statements and add up your expenses for the…
