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Money Confidence 101: A Friendly Guide to Building a Financial Life You Actually Feel Good About

Money is an emotional creature. It can spark joy, spark stress, or spark that moment at 1 a.m. when you google “Can I retire on vibes alone?” (Unfortunately, no. The math people would like a word.) But while finance often feels overwhelming, here’s a fun fact: studies show that people who have a written financial plan are far more confident about their future. According to a recent Schwab survey, 65% of people with a written plan feel financially stable, compared to just 40% without one.

The State of the Economy in 2025

The State of the Economy in 2025

Welcome to 2025, where the economy is like your Uncle Bob at Thanksgiving—predictable in its unpredictability. The headlines are full of dramatic twists, inflation is the talk of every dinner table, and interest rates have been on more rollercoaster rides than a county fair. But don’t worry; we’ve got your back. Let’s break it all down, keep it light, and figure out how to make the most of this wild economic ride.

The 2025 Retirement Checklist: Are You Forgetting Something Important?

The 2025 Retirement Checklist: Are You Forgetting Something Important?

Retirement planning isn’t exactly the kind of thing you want to procrastinate, yet somehow, it ends up on the same to-do list as “clean the garage” or “start a kale garden.” But hey, 2025 is creeping up faster than that mystery charge on your credit card, so let’s get serious for a moment. Are you ready for the golden years, or are there a few glaring gaps in your plan? Let’s break it down with a checklist that will have you confidently waltzing into 2025.

Midyear Market Outlooks

In its midyear review, market analysts at Charles Schwab say that economic growth in the United States may have peaked in the second quarter of this year. They also note that the rollout of Europe’s largest-ever stimulus plan should aid growth and the region still has some way to go before peaking — meaning eurozone stocks could deliver further gains.

Retirement Withdrawal Strategies

As hard as retirement saving and investing may seem, that’s the easy part. The real challenge is figuring out how to make your accumulated savings last throughout your and your spouse’s retirements. You need a strategy, and it’s best to have that strategy developed before retirement begins.

How Infrastructure Spending Affects Municipal Bonds

According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, the 10-year tab to meet the country’s basic infrastructure needs is about $6 trillion. The report, published in March, includes $125 billion needed for bridge repairs, $435 billion for roads, and $176 billion for the nation’s transportation systems. Today, two-thirds of infrastructure projects such as schools, hospitals, highways, and airports are financed by municipal bonds.

How to Plan for Old Age

Thelma Sutcliffe turned 114 years old in April, making her the oldest living American and the seventh-oldest person in the world, according to the Gerontology Research Group. The Omaha, Nebraska, resident attributes her relative good health and longevity to the fact that she never had children, never smoked, and made it a habit not to worry. It’s also a good idea to establish a plan that provides a confident retirement.

The Labor Market in the Post-Pandemic Era

According to the most recent Future of Jobs Report by the World Economic Forum, 50% of employees will need new skills training by 2025 as the pace of technological innovation continues to grow. Among business leaders, 94% say they expect employees to learn new skills while on the job, compared to just 65% who made that claim in 2018. However, the amount of time it takes to reskill will depend on the industry.

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Th Top 10 Things to Consider When Preparing For Your Retirement Guide

Top 10 Actions When Preparing For Retirement

Planning for retirement income may seem like a daunting task, but can help you get a handle on preparing for your financial future.

Money Confidence 101: A Friendly Guide to Building a Financial Life You Actually Feel Good About

Money is an emotional creature. It can spark joy, spark stress, or spark that moment at 1 a.m. when you google “Can I retire on vibes alone?” (Unfortunately, no. The math people would like a word.) But while finance often feels overwhelming, here’s a fun fact: studies show that people who have a written financial plan are far more confident about their future. According to a recent Schwab survey, 65% of people with a written plan feel financially stable, compared to just 40% without one.

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Market Thoughts: Looking Ahead and Abroad

Market Thoughts: Looking Ahead and Abroad

The mid-year U.S. economic recovery numbers look strong. On Wall Street, analysts predict that our economy will expand by trillions of dollars and create 2 million good-paying jobs throughout the next 10 years. However, despite nearly 1 million jobs reported in July alone, the White House cautioned that the resurgence in COVID-19 cases among unvaccinated Americans could set us up for an economic relapse in the remainder of the year. While the U.S. lags in vaccination numbers, other countries are starting to pick up the pace.

Young People: Who Said You Have to Be Wealthy to Invest?

Young People: Who Said You Have to Be Wealthy to Invest?

Young adults have weathered difficult times the past two decades: mass school shootings, extreme weather conditions, student loan debt and a global pandemic. But now they’re witnessing an unprecedented job market, where even those with little to no work experience can dictate their own terms. It’s important that we steer our young adults to good saving and investing habits now, while they have the capacity to earn increased income. This job market may not always be the reality, so it’s good to build a treasure chest when they have the opportunity.

Moving During Retirement

Moving During Retirement

Some people stay in place when they retire, while others buy a second home or relocate entirely. If you’re thinking of buying a new home, should you plan the purchase before you stop working, or is it possible to get to a mortgage after you’re retired? Plenty of retirees can qualify for a mortgage while on a fixed income, but it can be more difficult. It’s easier if you’re looking to buy a primary residence, as a vacation home could be more of a challenge if you still have a mortgage on your main home.

Midyear Market Outlooks

Midyear Market Outlooks

In its midyear review, market analysts at Charles Schwab say that economic growth in the United States may have peaked in the second quarter of this year. They also note that the rollout of Europe’s largest-ever stimulus plan should aid growth and the region still has some way to go before peaking — meaning eurozone stocks could deliver further gains.

Retirement Withdrawal Strategies

Retirement Withdrawal Strategies

As hard as retirement saving and investing may seem, that’s the easy part. The real challenge is figuring out how to make your accumulated savings last throughout your and your spouse’s retirements. You need a strategy, and it’s best to have that strategy developed before retirement begins.

« Older Entries

Next Entries »

Money Confidence 101: A Friendly Guide to Building a Financial Life You Actually Feel Good About

Money is an emotional creature. It can spark joy, spark stress, or spark that moment at 1 a.m. when you google “Can I retire on vibes alone?” (Unfortunately, no. The math people would like a word.) But while finance often feels overwhelming, here’s a fun fact: studies show that people who have a written financial plan are far more confident about their future. According to a recent Schwab survey, 65% of people with a written plan feel financially stable, compared to just 40% without one.

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Market Thoughts: Looking Ahead and Abroad

Sustainably Investing in Our Future

While extreme weather events typically affect only certain parts of the country, there is increasing concern that climate change will affect the overall economy – including our investment portfolios. For this reason, the federal government is making composition changes to the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), the retirement plan for federal employees. The TSP currently holds more than $762 billion in assets, making it the world’s largest defined contribution plan.

Market Thoughts: Looking Ahead and Abroad

Market Thoughts: Looking Ahead and Abroad

The mid-year U.S. economic recovery numbers look strong. On Wall Street, analysts predict that our economy will expand by trillions of dollars and create 2 million good-paying jobs throughout the next 10 years. However, despite nearly 1 million jobs reported in July alone, the White House cautioned that the resurgence in COVID-19 cases among unvaccinated Americans could set us up for an economic relapse in the remainder of the year. While the U.S. lags in vaccination numbers, other countries are starting to pick up the pace.

Young People: Who Said You Have to Be Wealthy to Invest?

Young People: Who Said You Have to Be Wealthy to Invest?

Young adults have weathered difficult times the past two decades: mass school shootings, extreme weather conditions, student loan debt and a global pandemic. But now they’re witnessing an unprecedented job market, where even those with little to no work experience can dictate their own terms. It’s important that we steer our young adults to good saving and investing habits now, while they have the capacity to earn increased income. This job market may not always be the reality, so it’s good to build a treasure chest when they have the opportunity.

Moving During Retirement

Moving During Retirement

Some people stay in place when they retire, while others buy a second home or relocate entirely. If you’re thinking of buying a new home, should you plan the purchase before you stop working, or is it possible to get to a mortgage after you’re retired? Plenty of retirees can qualify for a mortgage while on a fixed income, but it can be more difficult. It’s easier if you’re looking to buy a primary residence, as a vacation home could be more of a challenge if you still have a mortgage on your main home.

Midyear Market Outlooks

Midyear Market Outlooks

In its midyear review, market analysts at Charles Schwab say that economic growth in the United States may have peaked in the second quarter of this year. They also note that the rollout of Europe’s largest-ever stimulus plan should aid growth and the region still has some way to go before peaking — meaning eurozone stocks could deliver further gains.

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