IWM Financial, Inc.

This week, we learned that Blackrock and Citadel, amongst many others, have raised $120 million to get approval to launch a whole new stock exchange. Normally, when you think of the "stock market", you typically thing of the NY Stock Exchange. Not surprisingly so. The NYSE is the largest stock exchange in the world.

If it's not the NYSE you think of, then it's likely the Nasdaq. This is understandable, because those two stock exchanges trade $28 Trillion and $25 trillion US Dollars, respectively. Combined, the two exchanges cover the vast majority of all stock trading in the US, let alone the world. The next largest stock exchange is the Euronext, which is roughly a quarter of the size of the NYSE.

So the question arises: what does this mean for investors?

What a stock exchange in Texas means This week, we learned that Blackrock and Citadel, amongst many others, have raised $120 million to get approval to launch a whole new stock exchange. Normally, when you think of the

Recently Bradley Shammas answered a client's question on "if it would be a good idea to cash out their IRAs and just pay off their mortgage".
I shared the answer in an article. Hope you like it.

Why Cashing Out an IRA to Pay Off Mortgage Debt Might Not Be the Best Idea I has a great call with a client. They wanted to know if it would be a good idea to cash out their IRAs and just pay off their mortgage. In short, the answer was no. The implications are much more complicated though.

When the stock market is up, the economy is great, and our checkbook is balanced, we often change our investment outlook. It's natural to do so, and very common.

John Maynard Keynes wrote a good deal on how "Animal Spirits" affect our stock-making decisions. That's where we get the terms "bull" for a rising market and a "bear" for a falling market from. Studies have continued on different behavior biases, and how our biases affect our financial futures. There are whole graduate degree programs on behavioral finance and how we could help our emotional state with buying decisions (truly fascinating stuff).

Going on our gut feelings when a decision is to be made in investing, budgeting, or major purchases often leads to terrible results.

Jason Zweig, a prolific writer with the Wall Street Journal, shared this great article below. I hope you don't mind that I highlighted a few of my favorite parts.

Our Brains and our actions converge with stocks When the stock market is up, the economy is great, and our checkbook is balanced, we often change our investment outlook. It's natural to do so, and very common. John Maynard Keynes wrote a good deal on how

The ultimate goal of what I’m going to try and convey in this email is: A well-thought-out financial plan, with an investment strategy designed to weather several market scenarios, paired with diversification and academically-based,...

Don't try to guess on the Fed moves. May not the best idea.

Traveling on vacation or for work usually means you're opening your laptop, tablet, or phone and connecting to new Wi-Fi's. Whether that be the connection at a coffee shop, a hotel, or on a plane Wi-Fi connection. But how safe are...

How Secure Is an Airplane’s Wi-Fi?

There are a lot of important numbers that we try to keep in our heads during tax time. Understandingly, it's a bit much. 🤓 We have a Tax Cheat Sheet to help. During tax time, we try to remember: 📍Tax rates,...

Handy numbers for tax season There are a lot of important numbers that we try to keep in our heads during tax time. Understandingly, it's a bit much. 🤓 We have a Tax Cheat Sheet to help. During tax time, we try to remember: 📍Tax rates,...

Pull out a Post-it or sheet of paper. On it you're going to write down a couple numbers. First, write how you think the S&P 500 will do this year if a Democrat wins the Presidential Election. Now right down how you think the market...

The market in election years

Jack Kelly, Senior Contributor iStock image Feb. 21, 2024 Attempting to clearly define the middle class is not as easy as you would think, as the concept is complex and nuanced. For people, the middle class typically reflects...

How Do You Know If You’re In The American Middle Class?   Jack Kelly, Senior Contributor iStock image Feb. 21, 2024 Attempting to clearly define the middle class is not as easy as you would think, as the concept is complex and nuanced. For people, the middle class typically reflects...

The S&P has been hitting all-time highs... again. It's now safe to say that the bear market is over for now. The S&P has clawed back to its post-covid peak, which is even higher than the 2019 run-up. Once the S&P 500 hit the high...

Up and up. So what's next? The S&P has been hitting all-time highs... again. It's now safe to say that the bear market is over for now.  The S&P has clawed back to its post-covid peak, which is even higher than the 2019 run-up. Once the S&P 500 hit the high...

Forbes posted an article recently that stated: "most personal finance advice fits on just an index card". And you know what, I almost agree with them. Now the list of financial mistakes is truly longer. For starters, I might disagree...

5 Money Mistakes You Can Fix Easily Today Forbes posted an article recently that stated:

Filling taxes can be painful. 😟 That's why we recommend working with great accountants. 👉If you don't have a great accountant or would like to interview a new option, let me know and I can connect you to...

How do I prep for my 2023 taxes? Filling taxes can be painful. 😟 That's why we recommend working with great accountants. 👉If you don't have a great accountant or would like to interview a new option, let me know and I can connect you to...

Finding, and buying the right bonds at the right price can be a lot of work. As CD rates fall, and money market yields fluctuate, there may be some attractiveness for investors to put physical bonds in a portfolio. But as many find,...

Looking to Buy Treasuries? It Isn’t as Easy as You Might Think.

In the beginning of 2023, it seemed like every analyst, economist, and market commentator was predicting a recession. Well, this far it looks like they were all wrong in 2023. But who could blame them? Not many were predicting double...

You better watch out, You better not hide

The Internal Revenue Service recently released updated income tax brackets, standard deduction, and retirement contribution limits for the 2024 tax year. While these taxes are not due for some time, it may benefit you to start thinking...

IRS Releases 2024 Tax Brackets, Retirement Contribution Limits

IRS just announced the 2024 tax rate increases. This lowers taxes for 2024, but are a temporary relief before tax rates increase after another 2 years. It’s been said that “the tax code is written in...

The taxes are changing IRS just announced the 2024 tax rate increases. This lowers taxes for 2024, but are a temporary relief before tax rates increase after another 2 years.     It’s been said that “the tax code is written in...

I wanted to provide three tools you can use for year-end planning. I’ve been getting some questions from folks asking how they should plan for year-end. Should I change healthcare plans? Should I adjust paystub tax withholding?...

Year-End Planning

I’ve been getting some questions from folks asking if they should change their Medicare coverage before the year is over. That’s a great question, and the answer is maybe. Now I'm aware, some people really like their...

Considerations on changing Medicare Coverage

I've recently heard somewhere that 70% of Americans getting ready to retire have a shortfall of retirement savings. That means for most, their 401k's aren't big enough to support the spending desire they want. On top of that, Social...

401k's aren't enough

Ever think you could live to 120 years old? Image for a moment you could live until 120 and still feel great. Imagine that your health keeps up, and you would be able to move around as you do in your 60's, stay active, and your mind...

If you had to pick an age to live to, pick a big number

Trying to predict the Fed is not recommended. It's notoriously difficult. It's like predicting the market or the likelihood that the Angels can resign Shohei Ohtani. Nobody knows, but everyone has an opinion. There are times though,...

Are High Rates Going to Last? Fed Officials Increasingly Think So.

📊 Here’s the inflation breakdown for August 2023:

⬆️ The August 2023 consumer price index rose 3.7% on an annual basis, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
⛽️ Gasoline prices spiked in August, contributing to the increase, but economists believe it's likely temporary.
🏷️ Inflation measures how quickly prices are rising across the U.S. economy. Gasoline prices jumped 10.6% in August alone, accounting for over half of the increase.
🏡 Housing was the largest contributor to the rise in core CPI in August.
🍎Groceries have been a bright spot for consumers, with easing price pressures.

Inflation during the pandemic era has been a complicated phenomenon, influenced by multiple factors. Inflationary pressures occur when there's an imbalance between supply and demand.
We've come a long way in getting back to normal, but there's still progress to be made.

How has inflation affected you and your family?


Source:

Here's the inflation breakdown for August 2023, in one chart A spike in gasoline prices was largely responsible for a 3.7% annual increase in the consumer price index for August 2023.

By Elizabeth O'Brien Image: iStock-659112420 Sept. 14, 2023 Medicare’s first round of drug price negotiations has begun, and while that should be a boon to enrollees, you will have to wait a couple of years to reap...

Changes Are Coming to Medicare Drug Costs. What It Means For You.   By Elizabeth O'Brien Image: iStock-659112420 Sept. 14, 2023 Medicare’s first round of drug price negotiations has begun, and while that should be a boon to enrollees, you will have to wait a couple of years to reap...

The European Central Bank lifted interest rates by a quarter point—the 10th consecutive hike— likely diverging from the Federal Reserve, which is expected to pause next week. By Brian Swint...

ECB Hikes Rates as Fed Expected to Take Another Pause The European Central Bank lifted interest rates by a quarter point—the 10th consecutive hike— likely diverging from the Federal Reserve, which is expected to pause next week.   By Brian Swint...

I had an interesting conversation recently about someone cosigning a loan. Is it a good idea for a parent or grandparent to cosign a loan?It's an act of one way to show love.It's a way to help families try to get ahead.We trust the...

Cosigning a loan

The likelihood of a recession has plummeted from 73% to just 15%, and the FOMC will likely continue raising interest rates—likely pushing mortgage rates up even more.

Recession Likelihood Has Plummeted; Even Higher Interest Rates Coming

There stands a lot of angst with the health of the Social Security Trust Fund. That's understandable. Many have heard that the trust fund will deplete in 2034, but what does that really mean?

Social Security’s Finances: Reality Versus Common Misconceptions

Sometimes, a picture is worth 1,000 words. So I decided to include an image of the June Consumer Price Index (CPI) report to help put inflation in better perspective:Core CPI, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, rose just 0...

Why the Drop in Inflation Was Such a Big Deal

Here's a fact that news articles never seem to cover: inflation never goes away. Being 2023, Social Media has deemed a bunch of new buzzwords to go with inflation.

Here Are the Latest Inflation Buzzwords You Need to Know

Understanding American history is important for investors, savers, and retirees. In fact, I think most financial planners should be encouraged to study history. Why? Becuase history teaches us why, and how something happens.

Taxes, Tea And Why We Celebrate American Independence Day On July 4

Last year, when the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement 2.0 Act of 2022 ("Secure Act 2.0") was passed, congress made changes to retirement plan catch-up contributions. 1Starting on January 1, 2024, when a retirement...

New Roth Catch-Up Rules Last year, when the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement 2.0 Act of 2022 (