March is National Credit Education Month in the U.S., which makes it the perfect opportunity to brush up on your credit basics. Whether you're a credit novice or well-versed in the art of the FICO score, here are four ways to potentially boost your credit IQ.
This year's National Consumer Protection Week is March 6th through March 12th. It's a time to educate people about their rights as consumers and how to make informed decisions about their money. Whether it's taking a hard look at your finances or having the information to avoid scams, taking control of your consumer life is critical.
March 1st is Refired, Not Retired Day. It is a day for those retired or close to retirement to start thinking about their next stage in life. It is a day not to reinvent, rekindle, and refire your life, focusing on what is ahead instead of what is behind you.
Developing effective strategies for pursuing your goals within the limits of your particular financial circumstances can be difficult. Each stage of your life may create new financial challenges. Sending your child to college, remodeling your home, caring for an elderly relative, or starting your own business are objectives that may require a certain amount of capital, according to your needs.
February is Black History Month, which is a time to celebrate achievements by those of Black or African American heritage and recognize their central role in United States history. While it is important to celebrate Black History in February, it should be celebrated every day of the year. Read this blog to learn about great Black-owned home-based businesses in the US you can follow and support!
Let’s be honest for a second: the DJIA, the S&P 500, NASDAQ, and the Russell 2000 all delivered one of the most surprising years in recent history. And while many are happy to see 2021 in the rear-view mirror, the 2021 performance for the major U.S. indices was nothing short of impressive, especially given the headwinds of COVID-19.
On December 15, 2021, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) of the Federal Reserve System made a significant shift in monetary policy in response to rising inflation. The Committee accelerated the reduction of its bond-buying program in order to tighten the money supply and projected three increases in the benchmark federal funds rate in 2022, followed by three more increases in 2023. Both steps were more aggressive than previous FOMC actions or projections.
COVID-19 severely impacted the office commercial real estate market because more workers were simply performing their jobs remotely. In fact, as of September 2021, the National Association of Realtors estimates that over 20.3 million workers worked remotely compared to 8.9 million in 2019.
Creating budgets isn’t always the most fun activity, but it can be easy to budget if you take the time to make a template that works for your needs. There are various financial trackers out there, but the most widely used (and usually free) is the classic spreadsheet method. There are templates available in excel, but those can be confusing and unhelpful depending on your goals.
When you hear the term identity theft, the first thought that comes to mind may involve a data breach or opening a credit card in someone else's name. But another common type of identity theft involves the use of someone's Social Security number to unlawfully intercept their income tax refund. Unfortunately, this fraud often isn't discovered until the victim tries to file their taxes.
Getting ready for retirement is both exciting and daunting. While you are likely looking forward to the enjoyment and relaxation that retirement may bring, you are also cautious about ensuring you have enough money to be able to retire in the comfort you anticipate.
With the year rapidly coming to a close, and the upcoming tax year looming with uncertainties, you should consider updating your tax strategy to best preserve your assets into the future. Don't wait to make these adjustments. Check out some of the tax strategies below and then reach out to your financial professional now so you’re prepared for any potential tax changes in the New Year.
