Stock market 101: A beginner's guide
What is the stock market? What are stocks? How do stocks fit into your overall financial plan? Here are some answers.
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What is an emergency fund?
An emergency fund is designed to be a safety net for “surprise” expenses. Learn more about what it is and why it is important.
The real reason mortgage rates are so high (and why they probably won't drop soon)
Mortgage rates have remained stubbornly elevated, hovering around 7% for much of the last three years. Many are understandably hoping for rates to drop, whether to purchase a new home or to refinance an existing mortgage. This analysis will explore the key drivers of mortgage rates and offer our perspective on where they might be ... Read more
"One Big Beautiful Bill": Tax cuts, deficit impact and investor outlook
A significant budget deal, officially titled the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, recently passed the House of Representatives. Investors are already trying to game out how the budget could impact the economy, interest rates and stocks. Here are our views on how this budget could impact your investments.
The Great Recession: Lessons learned & how to prepare
Economic downturns are an inevitable part of our financial system. Since World War II, the US has experienced a recession about every 6.5 years, making it a predictable if unwelcome feature of our economy.[1] The Great Recession stands out for its severity and how it fundamentally changed our approach to financial regulation, personal finance, and ... Read more
Are we in a recession? Signs of recession & what to do
With economic headlines growing increasingly concerning and inflation putting pressure on household budgets, many Americans are wondering, “Are we in a recession?” or “Is the stock market crashing?” The good news is that the U.S. is not currently in a recession. This article breaks down what recessions are, examines current economic data, and provides practical ... Read more
Got a concentrated stock holding? How to diversify in a tax-smart way
A common problem we see among members is how to handle a single stock that has become too large within their portfolio. It is a good problem to have, but presents a real challenge. Here are some general principles for approaching this, applicable whether the stock is from your employer or simply a long-held investment that has appreciated.
The 2025 tariff shock: Inflation peak, economic risks and Fed's next move
Recent warnings from major retailers, like Walmart, suggest that price increases related to newly implemented or proposed tariffs are on the horizon. This raises critical questions for consumers and investors: How high could inflation go? How long might these effects last? And what does this all mean for your money?
Is the U.S. dollar losing its power? What it means for investors
The U.S. dollar has declined in value since President Donald Trump announced his tariff plans in early April. Could this threaten the dollar's long-held position as the world's dominant currency? For individual investors living and working in the U.S., what does this mean, and should you be worried?
Fed holds rates amid tariff inflation & Trump pressure
The Federal Reserve made no changes to its interest rate target during the May 7 meeting, as was widely expected. This meeting comes at a difficult time for the Fed. The economy seems to be slowing, but tariffs are very likely to deliver a bout of inflation this summer. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump is putting ... Read more
What is Stagflation? Explaining the economic threat and tariff impact
With tariffs threatening to both pushing prices higher and weaken economic growth, some are warning that a period of stagflation could be upon us. So what is stagflation? Why could tariffs cause it? And what really is the risk to you?
Is gold really a safe haven? A data-driven look for US investors
Gold is often touted as a hedge against inflation or other economic challenges. But the data tells a different story. We dive into both the long-term and short-term challenges with investing in gold.