Cavener Wealth Management

🌊🔬 Exciting news from the deep blue!
Scientists have uncovered a pristine underwater ecosystem off the coast of Chile, revealing at least 20 new marine species. This discovery on the Nazca Ridge, a massive underwater mountain, is like finding a hidden world beneath the waves.
Imagine coral gardens as big as tennis courts and sponge forests teeming with life, all nearly 2 miles below the surface.
Each discovery opens a new chapter in our understanding of ocean biodiversity, from mysterious squids to potential ancient whale fossils.
The best part? This ecosystem is so remote it's virtually untouched by pollution. It's a rare glimpse into a pristine marine world, reminding us of the wonders that still await discovery in our oceans.
What hidden marvels do you think are still waiting to be found in our vast oceans? 🤔

At least 20 new species identified in recently discovered underwater ecosystem Scientists have identified several new marine species in a pristine underwater ecosystem recently discovered in international waters.

📚 Attention college-bound families!

The FAFSA rollout for the 2025-2026 school year is changing, and it's important to understand how this might affect you.

The Department of Education is implementing a staggered release with the following schedule:
💻 A limited rollout begins on October 1, 2024.
💻 Public access opens on December 1, 2024.

This delay is intended to prevent the technical issues we saw last year. While it pushes back the timeline, it shouldn't cause major disruptions for most applicants.

Here's what you need to know:
🔹 FAFSA is crucial for accessing federal aid, grants, and scholarships.
🔹 Even with the delay, most colleges' financial aid deadlines should still be met.
🔹 Submitting early can maximize your chances for financial support.
🔹 It's worth applying even if you think you might not qualify.

Stay informed and plan ahead to make the most of your college funding options. Remember, timing can make a significant difference in the aid you receive. 💡

Another School Year, Another FAFSA Delay. What to Know About Financial Aid Deadlines Timing could mean the difference between qualifying for free money for college and getting stuck with student loans.

When dealing with a divorce, there are some secrets to dealing with the stress, especially when it comes to money.

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Do you know how to make a social impact with your investments? Read more now.

Are You Ready for Your Portfolio to Make a Difference? Learn about the rise of Impact Investing and how it may benefit you.

Tax time can be a good time to give your household budget a checkup.

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Did you hear about Aretha Franklin’s handwritten will? How did Frank Sinatra keep his family from contesting his \$100m estate? The examples of famous celebrities underline the need for a clear estate strategy.

Estate Strategies of the Rich and Famous The examples of famous celebrities underline the need for a clear estate strategy.

The latest Fed minutes suggest we might see an interest rate cut as soon as September. Here's what you need to know:

▪️ Most Fed officials believe easing policy could be appropriate if data continues as expected
▪️ Markets are fully pricing in a September cut
▪️ Inflation is moving towards the 2% target, but labor market risks have increased

What does this mean for your portfolio? It's a great time to review your investment strategy and consider how potential rate changes might impact your financial goals.

Stay tuned for more updates, and don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about positioning your finances in this changing economic landscape!

Fed minutes point to ‘likely’ rate cut coming in September The Federal Reserve on Wednesday released minutes from its July 30-31 policy meeting.

🌙 Time flies, even on the moon!

Did you know a day on the moon lasts 29.5 Earth days? 🕰 International astronomers are calling for a lunar clock to keep time on future moon missions. Due to its lower gravity, the moon's time moves about 58.7 microseconds faster each day than Earth's.

This tiny difference could have big implications for future space exploration and international collaboration, especially as more countries and private companies set their sights on lunar missions.

As we look to the stars for discoveries, accurate timekeeping is crucial. Who knows? Maybe one day we'll all be syncing our watches to "lunar time"!

International astronomy group joins calls for a lunar clock to keep time on the moon An international group of astronomers has joined calls to create a standard for keeping time on the moon, where seconds tick by faster.

Rebalancing = restoring a portfolio to its original risk profile. Are you feeling a little off balance?

Rebalancing Your Portfolio Over time, different investments' performances can shift a portfolio’s intent and risk profile. Rebalancing may be critical.

Are dividends a key component when evaluating investment opportunities? Learn more.

What Is the Dividend Yield? This calculator helps determine your pre-tax and after-tax dividend yield on a particular stock.

How much of your estate will Uncle Sam inherit? Estimate your potential estate tax liability.

What's My Potential Estate Tax? This calculator helps estimate your federal estate tax liability.

Your home mortgage interest may be deductible. Do you itemize your deductions?

Home Mortgage Deduction Use this calculator to assess the potential benefits of a home mortgage deduction.

Test your estate strategy knowledge with this short quiz.

Test Your Estate Strategy Knowledge Estate management can help ensure that your assets are transferred according to your wishes while managing tax issues.

Interest rates for 30-year fixed mortgages have hit their lowest level in over a year, sparking a 35% jump in refinancing applications in just one week.

🏠 Refinancing activity is up 118% compared to last year
🏠 Purchase applications rose 3% but remain 8% lower than in 2023
🏠 The average 30-year fixed rate is now at 6.54%

This shift in the mortgage market could present opportunities for homeowners and potential buyers. It's a great time to review your current mortgage situation and consider your options.

Remember, every financial decision should align with your long-term goals and personal circumstances.

Mortgage refinancing surges 35% in one week, as interest rates hit lowest level in over a year Applications to refinance a home loan surged 35% last week compared with the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's seasonally adjusted index.

AI tools can impact retirees looking to start a consulting or small business venture. By embracing AI tools, retirees can enhance productivity, save time, and increase the success of their business endeavors.

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Ever heard of a Roth 401(k)? Would one be right for you?

What Is a Roth 401(k)? Roth 401(k) plans combine features of traditional 401(k) plans with those of a Roth IRA.

July brought good news: inflation dropped to 2.9%, its lowest since March 2021! This marks the 5th straight month of slowing price increases.

While consumer prices are still up from last year, the pace is slowing. Food and energy saw modest rises of 2.2% and 1.1% respectively. But don't forget, overall prices remain about 20% higher than three years ago.

These trends could influence the Fed's decisions on interest rates, potentially impacting various aspects of the economy. It's a great time to review how these changes might affect your long-term financial strategies.

Inflation cooled in July, reaching lowest level since March 2021 Price increases have slowed significantly, but remain above the Fed's target.

Imagine tracking time 12,000 years ago! Scientists may have uncovered humanity's oldest solar calendar in Turkey.

This groundbreaking discovery at Göbekli Tepe reveals:
▪️ Intricate carvings potentially representing days, seasons, and years
▪️ A possible connection to a devastating ancient comet strike
▪️ Evidence of sophisticated astronomical observations millennia before we thought possible

This 12,000-year-old site might push back our understanding of early astronomy and timekeeping by thousands of years! It's a fascinating glimpse into our ancestors' ingenuity and their quest to comprehend the cosmos.

What other ancient mysteries do you think are still waiting to be uncovered? 🤔

Scientists Found a 12,000-Year-Old Monument—Turns Out It May Be Humanity’s Oldest Calendar But just how, exactly, did it track time?

When considering a record keeping system for your business, you need to ask yourself some very important questions

Keeping Good Records is Good Business Maintaining good records for your business not only helps to meet your tax and legal obligations, but it can save you money.

How much is enough for your emergency fund?

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Low car lease payments look great, but do you really save money in the end?

Should I Buy or Lease an Auto? This calculator compares the financial impact of leasing versus buying an automobile.

Important developments in the housing market:
▪️ The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage decreases to 6.55%
▪️ Rates reached their lowest point in 15 months
▪️ It's the largest weekly reduction observed in two years

What factors are contributing to the rate drop? Two factors: the Federal Reserve indicates that potential interest rate cuts may be soon, and the labor market is showing signs of deceleration.

These changes may present opportunities for more favorable housing costs and refinancing options. However, it's important to note that low housing inventory continues to exert upward pressure on prices in numerous regions.
Staying well-informed is crucial for making sound decisions regarding your home and financial strategy. 💼🏘️

US 30-year mortgage rate drops on weak jobs data, Fed rate-cut signal The interest rate for the most popular U.S. home loan plunged last week to its lowest level in 15 months, after the Federal Reserve signaled it could start cutting its policy rate in September, and a downshift in the job market bolstered financial market bets the cuts would be big.

🏌🏻‍♀️August is National Golf Month. Golf is not only a game about competition, precision, and technique. It's also about building connections. Connection with yourself, the beautiful landscape, and the people you play alongside. 🏌🏻‍♂️

So grab your clubs, call your friends, and hit the greens. Let's celebrate the sport we love.

You can help ensure that losing your wallet doesn't turn into something bigger.

What to Do When You Lose Your Wallet Ever lost your wallet? Frustrating. Here’s what you can do to keep yourself safe.

Self-employed? Learn more about your retirement plan options.

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Oil prices on the rise: What's behind the surge? 🛢️

The energy market is seeing some interesting movements:
-U.S. crude oil prices have climbed above $75 per barrel
-Stock markets are rebounding after recent losses
-Middle East tensions and OPEC+ production cuts are supporting prices

What does this mean for you? While we can't predict the future, these factors often impact our daily lives, from gas prices to overall economic health. Staying informed helps us make better financial decisions.

U.S. crude oil rises more than 2%, bounces back from six-month low as stockpiles fall Oil prices closed higher even as the stock market's rally faltered.

If you want to avoid any potential surprises at tax time, it may make sense to know where you stand when it comes to the AMT.

Do You Owe The AMT? If you want to avoid potential surprises at tax time, it may make sense to know where you stand when it comes to the AMT.

For a small business, the loss of a key person could cause financial hardship.

Protecting Your Business from the Loss of a Key Person Business owners may be able to protect themselves from the financial consequences of losing a key employee.

With increasing wealth comes unique financial challenges.

Investment Challenges of the Affluent Investor Affluent investors face unique challenges when putting together an investment strategy. Make sure you keep these in mind.