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The U.S. dollar has struggled lately. According to the ICE U.S. Dollar Index, the American currency was down 9.4% in 2025, which was the worst year for the dollar since 2017. The trend has continued so far in 2026, with the dollar down another 1.5% through February 11. So why is the dollar dropping? How ... Read more
President Donald Trump will nominate Kevin Warsh as the next Chair of the Federal Reserve. If confirmed by the Senate, Warsh would take over for Jerome Powell, whose 8-year tenure at the helm of the Fed saw the stock market nearly triple in value. Warsh has long been a critic of the Fed, and may ... Read more
As expected, the Federal Reserve left its target interest rate unchanged after the January meeting. However I might argue this was one of the most intriguing Fed meetings in a long time. Since the Fed last met in December, Chair Jerome Powell was served with a grand jury subpoena, threatening criminal charges over Powell’s handling ... Read more
New year, smart(er) tricks As we head into the new year, financial scams continue to evolve. While the tools may be changing with the help of artificial intelligence (AI), the goal of scammers has stayed constant – to defraud you, the victim, of your hard earned funds. The most effective defense isn’t complex technology; it ... Read more
Despite some volatility, stocks managed to finish 2025 in positive territory. The Morningstar Global Markets index rose 3.29% for the quarter, marking the third straight positive quarter. The rally was broader than most of 2025, as tech stocks actually lagged modestly and smaller companies outperformed. Non-U.S. stocks put in another strong quarter, with non-U.S. developed ... Read more
Being behind on your retirement savings can create feelings of stress, anxiety, and worry. Even thinking about how to get back on track can feel overwhelming and confusing. But with retirement on the horizon, using the time you do have to your advantage can make a huge difference. Here’s what you can do now, and ... Read more
Many New Year’s resolutions get broken. And broken quickly. We’d like to share a simple strategy that can help you fix that – all while giving your finances in 2026 a kickstart. First, ever hear of “Quitter’s Day?” It’s the day that people start dropping their New Year’s fitness resolutions in big numbers. It falls ... Read more
401(k) plans are retirement accounts established by companies, offering substantial tax benefits and flexibility. These accounts provide a secure avenue for employees to save for their future, ensuring financial stability during retirement. For most workers, they are the backbone of their retirement strategy. Whether you are enrolling in a new plan, on your way to ... Read more
The end of the year is a time to make critical planning decisions for your taxes, investments, and savings. It’s also a time to reflect on the previous year and consider what may change in the year ahead. Now is the time to create a personalized and proactive strategy that dynamically evolves to meet your ... Read more
Mortgage rates have finally dipped below 7%, but will they keep falling in 2026? This analysis dives into the three key economic scenarios—from a steady economy to a full recession—that will determine the Federal Reserve's path on future rate cuts. We break down what it would take to see 5% mortgage rates, what could send them back to 7%, and what the new 50-year mortgage proposal could mean for homebuyers.
The Federal Reserve cut its target for interest rates by 0.25% at the October meeting. For a long time, Fed Chair Jerome Powell has told us the Fed’s decisions would be “data dependent.” However, with the government having been shut down for almost all of October, there is very little new data for the Fed ... Read more
At Facet, we believe managing your finances should be seamless and secure. For too long, the password has been a source of frustration—hard to remember, a hassle to manage, and a real security risk. This isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a common weakness for most. We all do it— reuse the same password across multiple ... Read more