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If you've watched the stock market at all over the past couple weeks there have been some relatively large movements, both up and down. Much of this has to do with the uncertainty of the global economy. Some stock analysts are even going as far as predicting no earnings growth for 2020.1 As financial advisors we are not in the business of predicting where the stock market will go in the short-term, and encourage our clients to focus on the things that they can control. That's why last week we wrote a post about what you can do to prepare for disasters, and why NOT to panic about the recent stock market volatility. We believe financial planning should be focused on the long-term.

It’s hard to turn on the news and not see something related to coronavirus. More and more new cases are being confirmed every day in an increasing number of countries, including the US. Beyond people getting infected, the worries on coronavirus’ impact on global trade is starting to rattle financial markets as well. With all this concern, is now the time to make changes to your portfolio? We’ll cut to the chase and answer that with a resounding NO! However, because this isn’t necessarily something to brush off, you should be informed and there are things you can do to protect you and your family.

Where does the time go? The year 2019 came and went, and we’re already two months into 2020! If you’re like many Americans, you’re busy gathering your tax documents to begin filing your tax return for last year. But before you finalize everything make sure you’re taking advantage of all that 2019 has to offer. There are still some tax moves you can make for last year, and make sure you’re capitalizing on every deduction you can!

Some of the scariest things about enrolling in Medicare is that it's incredibly complex; you may only have one chance to make decisions for life; and it can be extremely costly if you make a mistake. It's no surprise many retirees are left wondering what decisions they should make when the Medicare enrollment paperwork arrives in the mail. To make things more complex, if you're still working or are in an unmarried relationship there are more special rules that may apply to you.

Does it seem like technology continually advances at a breakneck pace? What was once novel and revolutionary one day (remember music CDs?) becomes outdated and archaic the next (when was the last time you listened to a CD?). Does it also appear that newer, more powerful technology is more affordable than ever before? TVs, Laptops, and even Echo Dots continue to increase their functionality, utility, and processing power at ever more affordable prices. If this is something you've witnessed it's not an illusion and you're not dreaming. It is a well-documented phenomenon called Moore's Law and this discovery explains much of the rapid advancement of technology we've all seen.

Buying a home is an enormous financial decision. How much should you put for a down payment? How long should the loan be for? What is the interest rate? The list goes on and on. A home purchase is a complex financial decision for married couples, and more so for unmarried couples. If you're in a situation where you're considering buying a home before saying "I do", here are a few considerations before you pull the trigger.