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Protect Your Identity: How to Freeze Your Credit File
In today’s digital world, identity theft is a growing concern, and your credit file is a key target for scammers. It contains everything a criminal needs to impersonate you: your name, date of birth, address history, and Social...
Read MoreDigital Legacy Planning: Protecting Your Online Assets
Have you ever wondered what would happen to your online accounts if something unexpected happened to you? Think about it: your bank and investment accounts, digital tax records, email inbox, and maybe even some cryptocurrency or...
Read MoreMarket Update—Week of February 24, 2025
Home builder confidence fell notably in February, signaling headwinds for the housing industry. Soft economic data and weak guidance from Walmart led equities lower last week. Economic data releases this week will cover consumer...
Read MoreProtecting Yourself from Identity Theft and Financial Scams
The holidays are just around the corner, bringing the joy of travel, gift-giving, and time with loved ones. Unfortunately, this festive season also brings a higher risk of identity theft and financial scams. From fraudulent credit card...
Read MoreMarket Update—Week of February 10, 2025
Although hiring slowed in January, the previous month’s job totals were revised up and the unemployment rate fell to 4 percent. International equities outperformed as a weaker dollar offset initial tariff concerns. The Treasury yield...
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What to Consider Before Converting to a Roth IRA
Roth IRAs are a powerful way to save for retirement because they are funded with after-tax dollars, and if certain requirements are met, withdrawals in retirement are completely tax-free. You can fund a Roth IRA in two ways: Making...
Read MoreMarket Update—Week of February 3, 2025
In part because of lower inventory levels, gross domestic product (GDP) growth slowed to 2.3 percent in the fourth quarter. International markets fared better than their U.S. counterparts; AI competition from China led to a sell-off in...
Read MoreDebunking Common Myths About Financial Aid
Paying for college can feel overwhelming, but financial aid is designed to help bridge the gap between the cost of education and what families can afford. Unfortunately, many students miss out on valuable assistance because they...
Read MoreMarket Update—Week of January 27, 2025
Economic data was mixed, with stronger-than-expected existing home sales and a softer-than-expected Purchasing Managers Index (PMI). International markets fared well, thanks to a softer U.S. dollar and better-than-feared tariff policy....
Read MoreMarket Update—Quarter Ending December 31, 2024
Quick Hits Mixed Month for Markets- December was a mixed month for equity markets. Bonds Fall as Federal Reserve Updates Guidance- Rising interest rates caused bond prices to fall at year-end. Positive Economic Updates- The economic...
Read MoreMarket Update—Week of January 6, 2025
Manufacturer confidence improved more than expected in December. Equity markets remained risk-averse to start the year amid questions on policy and inflation. This week, we will see the December meeting minutes from the Federal Open...
Read MoreMarket Update—Week of December 16, 2024
Year-over-year inflation ticked up in November, matching economist expectations. The Nasdaq Composite led the way despite mixed performance from the so-called Magnificent Seven. The Federal Reserve (Fed) will host its December meeting...
Read MoreMarket Update—Week of December 9, 2024
Hiring rebounded swiftly in November after a weather-driven slowdown in October. The so-called Magnificent Seven (Apple, Alphabet, Amazon, Nvidia, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, and Tesla) led the rally. The yield curve was little changed,...
Read MoreMarket Update—Month Ending November 30, 2024
Quick Hits Stocks Rally in November S. stocks rose on rising investor optimism for faster growth ahead. Bonds Rebound as Federal Reserve Cuts Rates Falling interest rates supported bonds during the month. Supportive Economic Backdrop...
Read MoreMarket Update—Week of December 2, 2024
Consumer confidence improved more than expected. Equity markets continued to show signs of broadening beyond Nvidia and Tesla. We expect several important reports this week, highlighted by employment data on Friday. Quick Hits Report...
Read MoreMarket Update—Week of November 25, 2024
Housing data was mixed; home builder confidence and existing home sales fared better than expected but new home starts disappointed. A strong dollar increased market breadth beyond the so-called Magnificent Seven. The front end of the...
Read MoreEstate Planning Basics
Everyone needs an estate plan, no matter the size of the estate. An estate plan helps carry out yourwishes after your passing and benefits you while you’re living. A good estate plan includes documents tomanage your financial affairs...
Read MoreMarket Update—Week of November 18, 2024
Consumer and producer inflation picked up in October. A reversal of the election rally and sector rotation related to the new administration were two major themes for equities. The 10-year Treasury yield rose 17.5 basis points (bps) on...
Read MoreMarket Update—Week of November 11, 2024
Service sector confidence reached a two-year high in October. Small-caps led the way in a post-election, risk-on rally. It will be another busy week; we expect data on the economy, inflation, retail sales, and industrial production....
Read MoreMarket Update—Month Ending October 31, 2024
Quick Hits Stocks Slide in October A late-month sell-off led to a down month for stocks. Bonds Fall in October Rising interest rates caused bonds to fall during the month. Surprisingly Resilient Economic Growth The economic updates...
Read MoreHelp Your Kids Get a Head Start on Saving with a Roth IRA
Contributing to a Roth IRA is an extremely efficient way to save for retirement. The earlier contributions aremade, the more time savings have to grow tax free. Wouldn’t it be great if your children could takeadvantage of a Roth IRA...
Read MoreMarket Update—Week of November 4, 2024
Hiring slowed notably in October, though the figure was affected by the Boeing strike and two hurricanes. Mega-caps showed mixed earnings, with some revealing signs of caution ahead. This week will include earnings, the U.S. election,...
Read MoreMarket Update—Week of October 28, 2024
The pace of existing home sales fell more than expected in September. Tesla soared on better-than-expected profitability from regulatory credits. Despite the recent Federal Reserve (Fed) rate cut, rates continued to climb across the...
Read MoreMarket Update—Week of October 14, 2024
Headline and core Consumer Price Index (CPI) data was slightly higher than expected in September. Quick Hits Report releases: Year-over-year consumer inflation fell to a three-year low in September. Financial market data: Long-term...
Read MoreUnderstanding Inflation: How It Impacts Truckee
Inflation is a term we often hear in the news, but what is it? In economics, inflation is traditionally defined as a general increase in prices and a decrease in the purchasing value of money. The Nobel Prize-winning economist Milton...
Read MoreMarket Update—Week of September 16, 2024
Nvidia posted a strong recovery as CEO Jensen Huang continued to highlight strong demand for the firm’s AI chips. With near-term Federal Reserve (Fed) policy remaining in question, short-term bond expectations remained volatile....
Read MoreInvesting 101: A Guide to Basic Investment Concepts
Clients often have questions about investing. Terms like stocks, bonds, allocation, and rebalancing are frequently mentioned, yet rarely understood in full. Recently, I sat down with a client to discuss the differences between stocks...
Read MoreCybersecurity: Safeguarding Your Digital World
As remote work continues to thrive in regions like the Truckee North Tahoe area, the convenience of co-working spaces and public Wi-Fi has made it easier than ever to work from virtually anywhere. Spaces like Lift Workspace, The Hub,...
Read MoreThe Low-Down on Interest Rates
Whether you are looking to borrow money or invest it, a sense of the current interest rate environment can be helpful. Interest rates can be thought of as the cost of borrowing money or the return on investments for lending money, and...
Read MoreMarket Update—Week of August 19, 2024
Equities posted their best week of the year as economic data eased fears. Bonds were relatively unchanged as investors looked to lock in rates amid a strong recovery over the past two weeks. Quick Hits Report releases: The pace of...
Read MoreMarket Update—Week of August 12, 2024
Equities recovered after a two-day sell-off amid a Japanese carry trade scare. Bonds gave back much of their gains, as investors returned to risk assets later in the week. Quick Hits Report releases: Service sector confidence improved...
Read MoreMarket Update—Week of July 29, 2024
Small-cap and value stocks outperformed amid weak Tesla and Alphabet earnings. Short- to intermediate-term Treasuries were bid up, as investors look to lock in higher yields ahead of a cut in September. Quick HitsReport releases:...
Read MoreMarket Update—Week of July 15, 2024
Small-cap stocks posted a major rally as potential interest rate cuts offered relief amid recent struggles. Short-term Treasuries rallied on the lower Consumer Price Index (CPI) report as investors locked in elevated short-term rates....
Read MoreSurviving a Recession: Financial Strategies for Stability
Understanding the Current Economic Landscape Where’s the economy heading? While wages have risen, they haven't kept pace with inflation. The Federal Reserve has sharply increased interest rates to combat inflation, and recession...
Read MoreMarket Update— Quarter Ending June 30, 2024
Quick Hits June Rally Caps Solid Quarter for Stocks Stocks rose for the second consecutive month. Bonds Up for the Month and Quarter Falling interest rates in June supported bond returns during the month and quarter. Inflation Slows...
Read MoreMarket Update—Week of July 1, 2024
Nike (NKE) was the story of the week: it was down more than 20 percent, as it missed sales estimates. The back end of the yield curve sold off again as investors question what the recent economic slowdown means for longer-term growth....
Read MoreWhy Choosing a Fiduciary Financial Planner Matters
When it comes to managing your finances, the guidance you receive can make a significant difference in achieving your financial goals. One key aspect to consider when choosing a financial planner is whether they act as a fiduciary. But...
Read MoreMarket Update—Week of June 24, 2024
Nvidia was down last week despite a strong rally in which it briefly became the largest stock by market capitalization. Its move lower dragged growth and technology stocks down. Treasuries sold off in unison across the curve. Quick...
Read MoreInvesting Apps
Today, virtually anyone with a smartphone can buy and sell stocks from almost anywhere. Discount online brokerages such as Robinhood, Schwab, TD Ameritrade and others have developed trading apps that allow users to trade stocks,...
Read MoreFinancial Literacy
You may have heard about the concept of financial literacy. The idea that having an understanding of various personal finance topics will lead to better personal financial outcomes. A search of the web will return a definition such as...
Read MoreMarket Update—Week of June 17, 2024
Apple continued to rally following its Worldwide Developer Conference; the company unveiled new AI software updates that are expected to drive a stronger iPhone upgrade cycle. Treasuries rallied sharply on the back of softer inflation....
Read MoreMarket Update—Week of June 3, 2024
Software stocks were hit hard; Salesforce showed signs of a slowing economy and less software spending from its customers. AI infrastructure firms such as Nvidia continued to move higher. Quick Hits Report releases: Personal income and...
Read MoreMarket Update—Week of May 28, 2024
Technology and communication services were the only equity sectors that were positive last week. U.S. Treasuries sold off amid concerns of persistent inflation. Quick Hits Report releases: Existing home sales fell for the second...
Read MoreMarket Update—Week of May 20, 2024
Equities continued their rally; sectors that benefited from more persistent inflation outperformed. Treasuries were little changed as investors look toward this week’s inflation data. Quick Hits Report releases: Consumer inflation...
Read MoreUnderstanding Your Credit Score
Many people have had their financial plans derailed. Financial stress may have forced you to make tough choices, such as deciding which bills to pay, scaling back on your savings or withdrawing from a retirement account. As a result,...
Read MoreMarket Update—Week of May 13, 2024
Equities continued their rally as those sectors that benefited from more persistent inflation outperformed. U.S. Treasuries were little changed as investors wait for this week’s inflation data. Quick Hits Report releases: Consumer...
Read MoreDebt to Income Ratio
When we think of our financial health, we often think of our FICO or credit score. However, there is another very useful and telling metric known as debt-to-income ratios (DTI). DTI ratios are a measure of monthly debt payments divided...
Read MoreMarket Update—Week of April 22, 2024
Global equities were mostly down last week on the potential for higher U.S. rates and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Bond yields continued their rise as inflation remained a concern. Quick Hits Report releases: Retail sales...
Read MoreMarket Update—Week of April 15, 2024
U.S. equities sold off again as the Consumer Price Index (CPI) came in higher than expected. Bond yields continued their rise; investors demanded higher yields because consumer inflation has increased. Quick Hits Report releases:...
Read MoreMarket Update—Week of March 25, 2024
The S&P 500 had its best weekly performance this year as the Federal Reserve (Fed) signaled that rate cuts remain on the horizon for 2024. Bond yields fell on the news as bond investors interpreted this as a signal that inflation...
Read MoreMarket Update—Week of March 18, 2024
Facing greater exposure to debt—which costs more as rates increase—small-cap stocks struggled last week. Rates rose as bond investors demanded more yield to offset hotter-than-expected inflation. Quick Hits Report releases: Consumer...
Read MoreMarket Update—Week of March 11, 2024
Weak iPhone and Tesla sales in China moved the Nasdaq Composite lower. Rates for Treasuries with maturities greater than five years fell as the Federal Reserve (Fed) indicated it was close to cutting interest rates. Quick Hits 1....
Read MoreMarket Update—Month Ending November 30, 2023
Read about what happened in financial markets in the month of November.
Read MoreMarket Update—Week of December 4, 2023
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Read MoreMarket Update—Week of November 27, 2023
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Read MoreMarket Update—Week of November 20, 2023
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Read MoreMarket Update—Week of November 13, 2023
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Read MoreMarket Update—Week of November 6, 2023
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Read MoreMarket Update—Month Ending October 31, 2023
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Read MoreMarket Update—Week of October 30, 2023
Read about what happened in financial markets in the month of May.
Read MoreYour Personal Financial Statement
Similar to a company’s financial statements, a personal financial statement can help you assess your financial health and assist you in budget planning.
Read MoreMarket Update—Week of October 23, 2023
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Read MoreMarket Update—Week of October 16, 2023
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Read MoreMarket Update—Week of October 9, 2023
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Read MoreMarket Update— June 2023
Read about what happened in financial markets in the month of May.
Read MoreMarket Update—Week of June 26, 2023
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Read MoreMarket Update—Week of June 12, 2023
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Read MoreMarket Update—Week of June 5, 2023
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Read MoreMarket Update—Week of May 29, 2023
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Read MoreMarket Update—Week of May 22, 2023
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Read MoreMarket Update—Week of May 15, 2023
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Read MoreMarket Update—Week of May 8, 2023
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Read MoreMarket Update—Week of May 1, 2023
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Read MoreThe Dollar’s Staying Power and Other Reasons Not to Panic
In recent weeks, there has been much ado about the dollar, continue reading for a different take.
Read MoreMarket Update—Week of April 17, 2023
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Read MoreMarket Update—Week of April 10, 2023
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Read MoreMarket Update for the Quarter Ending March 31, 2023
Catch up on the 2023 1st quarter market and economic activity.
Read MoreMarket Update—Week of April 03, 2023
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Read MoreMarket Update—Week of March 27, 2023
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Read MoreMarket Update—Week of March 20, 2023
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Read MoreWeekly Market Update, February 27, 2023
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Read MoreWeekly Market Update, February 21, 2023
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Read MoreWeekly Market Update, February 13, 2023
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Read MoreMarket Update for the Month Ending January 31, 2023
Read about what happened in the financial markets during the Month of January.
Read MoreWeekly Market Update, February 6, 2023
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Read MorePreparing for 2022 Taxes: A Look at What Has Changed
A brief look at what has changed for 2022 in the tax code.
Read MoreHow to Create a Personal Financial Statement
Similar to a company’s financial statements, a personal financial statement can help you assess your financial health and assist you in budget planning.
Read MoreWeekly Market Update, January 30, 2023
Read about what happened in financial markets this past week.
Read MoreDebt to Income Ratio
When we think of our financial health, we often think of our FICO or credit score.
Read MoreFICO- Understanding Your Credit Score
It is wise to keep track of your credit score, keep reading to understand more.
Read MoreWeekly Market Update, January 26, 2023
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Read MoreWeekly Market Update, January 17, 2023
Read about what happened in financial markets this past week.
Read MoreInheriting Debt from a Family Member
Read about what might happen with inherited debt.
Read MoreIt’s Here: What You Need to Know About SECURE 2.0
Read about some of the more immediate details of the Secure Act 2.0.
Read More2023...New Year, New Plan
Take advantage of the fresh start in 2023.
Read MoreWeekly Market Update, January 9, 2023
Read about what happened in financial markets this past week.
Read MoreMarket Update for the Quarter Ending December 31, 2022
Catch up on the 4th quarter market and economic activity.
Read MoreWeekly Market Update, January 3, 2023
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Read MoreWeekly Market Update, December 27, 2022
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Read MoreWeekly Market Update, December 19, 2022
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Read MoreMarket Update for the Month Ending October 31, 2022
Markets Rally in November November saw market gains as all three major U.S. indices rose for the second consecutive month, with the S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), and Nasdaq Composite returning 5.59 percent, 6.04 percent...
Read MoreWeekly Market Update, December 12, 2022
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Read MoreWeekly Market Update, December 5, 2022
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Read MoreWeekly Market Update, November 28, 2022
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Read MoreWeekly Market Update, November 21, 2022
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Read MoreWeekly Market Update, November 14, 2022
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Read MoreMarket Update for the Month Ending October 31, 2022
Read about what happened in the financial markets during the Month of November.
Read MoreWeekly Market Update, November 7, 2022
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Read MoreWeekly Market Update, October 31, 2022
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Read MoreWeekly Market Update, October 24, 2022
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Read MoreWeekly Market Update, October 17, 2022
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Read MoreWeekly Market Update, October 10, 2022
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Read MoreQuarterly Market Update, September 30, 2022
Catch up on 3rd quarter market and economic activity.
Read MoreWeekly Market Update, October 3, 2022
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Read MoreWeekly Market Update, September 19, 2022
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Read MoreWeekly Market Update, September 6, 2022
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Read MoreWeekly Market Update, August 29, 2022
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Read MoreWeekly Market Update, August 22, 2022
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Read MoreWeekly Market Update, August 15, 2022
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Read MoreWeekly Market Update, August 8, 2022
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Read MoreHow to plan in your 30s, 40s, and 50s, so security and comfort is your lifestyle.
Retirement is on the Horizon for Everyone
Read MoreFAFSA- The Free Application for Federal Student Aid
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, otherwise known as the FAFSA is a standardized application form for student aid used by the federal government, state governments and most colleges and universities.
Read More6 Steps Before Retirement
Let’s say you’ve been working for decades and are finally starting to plan what your retirement will look like. If you plan to retire within the next ten years or so, now is the time to start planning.
Read MoreRetirement Wreckers
Children. The lights of your life. Your greatest (and most expensive) treasures.
Read MoreMoney Moves to Make in Your 50s
They say the 40s are the new 30s, and the 50s are the new 40s. And “They”, whoever they are, are so right.
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