Aaron Oskey, Financial Advisor

How do you handle your estate if you have a blended family? Here are a few things you should consider. Read more.

3 Estate Challenges for Blended Families This article will help your clients with blended families think and prepare their estate strategy.

You can start Social Security benefits as soon as you reach 62. Know the rules before deciding.

When Should You Take Social Security Monthly Social Security payments differ substantially depending on when you start receiving benefits.

When markets wobble, even experienced investors can get nervous. But history holds some encouraging lessons.

When Markets React When markets shift, experienced investors stick to their strategy.

As complex as the details of taxes can be, the income tax process is fairly straightforward.

How Income Taxes Work A quick look at how federal income taxes work.

The rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) during the past year has put a spotlight on the fast-paced decision making in the US tech industry. At the same time, it has cast some concerns that Europe–and other parts of the world–are lagging behind in AI innovation and adoption.

While the Fed did not lower short-term rates at the end of its two-day meeting on May 1, it did announce that it was making another change to help “ease” financial conditions.

🌟 Exciting Economic Update for 2024!✨

Economists define a Goldilocks economy as one that strikes the perfect balance—not too hot, not too cold. As we enter 2024, this delicate equilibrium seems within reach. The Federal Reserve's strategic moves in 2022 aimed to rein in inflation without plunging the U.S. into a recession, resulting in a promising economic landscape.

The 2024 economic scorecard currently reads Goldilocks 1, Recession 0. While consumer inflation is gradually slowing, it remains above the Fed's 2% target. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) shows strength, with Q1 growth forecast at 2.1%. Notably, February saw a rise of 275,000 jobs, indicating robust hiring trends. These factors collectively hint at a recession-free horizon.

In March, the Standard & Poor’s 500 stock index saw positive growth. The stock market's forward-looking nature suggests a hopeful future, prompting questions about a prolonged Goldilocks era. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Reflecting on the challenges of 2023, the outlook for the remainder of 2024 appears bright. Hopeful sentiments prevail, with a wish for a smooth sailing year ahead. Stay tuned for more updates!
#2024

Half of execs believe their skills will be obsolete in two years. The chair of the SEC thinks AI will spark a financial crisis. What does such concern or uncertainty mean for your future and your financial strategy?

How Will the Economy React to AI? What do concerns or uncertainty about AI mean for your future and your financial strategy?

As an investor, you’ll encounter times when volatility picks up and markets cycle lower. But if you’re approaching retirement, you may need to consider how a down-market could impact your next chapter.

Timing Your Retirement This short video illustrates the importance of understanding sequence of returns risk.

Why are they made again and again? This piece helps make sense of these errors in judgement.

Navigating Retirement Pitfalls Why are they made again and again? Making sense of these errors in judgement.

Some market participants see six rate reductions, with the first coming in May, whereas the Federal Reserve seems to be adopting a more cautious approach. Who has the better insight? Only time will tell ⏲️

Social Security has been a fact of retirement since 1935; how much do you really know about it?

Social Security: By the Numbers Here are five facts about Social Security that might surprise you.

The Fed's recent policy pivot could mean a significant shift in the financial landscape! Here's what you need to know:

Fed Chair Powell announced his intention to lower short-term rates in the coming year. This shift has sparked a rally in the financial markets, but it also brings new challenges.

We've been closely monitoring the outlook for rates, which may start to trend lower as early Q1.

The Fed's projections for 2024 suggest a transition period leading to lower rates. However, the final impact will only be clear when the Fed acts.

Social Security has been a fact of retirement life since 1935. Are you eligible for benefits?

9 Facts About Social Security There are things about Social Security that might surprise you.

Understanding pullbacks in stock prices is critical, even if we don't like them. They are moderate drops that occur within a continuing uptrend. Looking at the chart, we've seen two pullbacks in the past ten months since stocks started trending higher in October 2022. Will this August give us the third pullback?

Pullbacks can be painful as they break trend lines and support levels, making investors second-guess their strategy. Remember, they're easier to spot in retrospect, but evaluating them during a portfolio decline can be challenging.

As we move into September and October, known for their reputations on Wall Street, it might be wise to focus less on day-to-day market gyrations and explore other projects. And if you need a quick update on Wall Street, don't hesitate to call.

What a fun night!

Do you know how much you’ll spend during your retirement? The answer may be more complicated than you’d expect. Learn more here.

How Retirement Spending Changes With Time It can be difficult for clients to imagine how much they’ll spend in retirement. This short, insightful article is useful.

Individual investors becoming more upbeat about stock prices, there's still much skepticism. It can be challenging to break from a bearish mindset if you've been in that camp for a while.

Just entering retirement? Here's what you need to know.

9 Facts About Retirement Regardless of how you approach retirement, there are some things about it that might surprise you.

Whether you realize it or not, you’ve allocated your assets.

A Decision Not Made Is Still a Decision Investors who put off important investment decisions may face potential consequence to their future financial security.

Are you prepared for a 20-year retirement? How women can consider their retirement strategy.

How Women Can Prepare For Retirement Are women prepared for a 20-year retirement?

Your needs don’t stay the same when the nest empties, but what changes?

Insurance Needs Assessment: For Empty Nesters and Retirees Do your insurance needs stay the same when the nest empties?

We all want to know, “What’s next for the financial markets?” But no one knows for sure.

Where Is the Market Headed?

Do you know what your needs are, when you’re married, with children?

Insurance Needs Assessment: Married With Children When you’re married and have children, insurance needs will be different.

Do your financial concerns feel stressful? Take a look at this video for some best practices when it comes to your financial strategy.

Behavioral Finance An amusing and whimsical look at behavioral finance best practices for investors.

If you or someone you know has been offered a buyout with GM or another company and need help navigating this decision, please reach out to us as we have helped many individuals and families make the best decision for their future. To setup a free consultation, call us at (248) 845-4776.