For about three months, the S&P 500 Index has been stuck in a fairly tight trading range. Yet, beneath the surface, there has been no shortage of market drama. Much of it can be seen in the action of the PHLX Semiconductor Index. Well known among active traders, the index receives far less attention from […]
Chips Ahoy – An August Market Update Read More »
Whether you are raising young children or looking ahead as a grandparent, the soaring cost of higher education may already be on the radar. Even if it isn’t a daily concern, there’s no escaping the reality that earning a four-year degree now requires a significant financial commitment. Depending on the university, many first-year students are
Building a College Fund—Smart Ways to Save Read More »
The $1,000 federal starter deposit has generated plenty of headlines, but that’s only one part of the story. Before opening a Trump Account for your child or grandchild, it’s important to understand who qualifies, how contributions work, how the account is taxed, when a Roth IRA conversion may make sense, and how it compares with
Six Things Families Should Know About Trump Accounts Read More »
This comprehensive, handy reference guide rounds up market returns and economic data as of June 30, 2026. Market performance includes data for a wide variety of asset classes, sectors, indexes, and more. The economic data includes interest rates, GDP, inflation, and labor statistics. This year’s stock market rally was briefly interrupted in March by the
2026 Markets: First Half in Numbers Read More »
In 2025, about 63 million American adults were providing ongoing care for a child or another adult with a medical condition or disability, according to AARP’s Caregiving in the U.S. Research Report. That is nearly one in four adults nationwide, and it’s a significant 45% increase since the Caregiving in the U.S. study was last
Navigating Caregiving: Practical Ideas for a Complex Role Read More »
As of June 22, the market capitalization of the U.S. stock market totaled $81 trillion, according to Deutsche Bank and Bloomberg. China is a distant second at $16 trillion, followed by Japan at $9 trillion. Even China stands in the shadow of just seven fast-growing U.S. firms—the so-called Magnificent Seven—with a combined market capitalization of
Celebrating 250 Years of the American Spirit Read More »
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) introduced several tax changes that create valuable planning opportunities for small business owners. While many of these provisions can significantly reduce taxes, the biggest mistake business owners can make is assuming every deduction or election automatically benefits them. The reality is that effective tax planning isn’t about claiming
7 Tax Planning Opportunities Every Small Business Owner Should Review This Year Read More »
Most people spend decades focused on one financial goal: saving for retirement. They contribute to 401(k)s, IRAs, brokerage accounts, and pensions with the expectation that once retirement arrives, the hard part is over. Unfortunately, that’s often when a new challenge begins. Many retirees discover that the tax rules governing retirement income are far more complicated
How Tax Planning Changes Through the Four Stages of Retirement Read More »
Many assume that a happy retirement comes down to building enough wealth over a lifetime of work that will ensure comfort in their later years. In simple terms, will the financial assets accumulated generate the monthly income necessary to sustain their retirement lifestyle? If they can check that box, well, they are golden…or so they
Choose a Happy Retirement Read More »