Mutual Funds

“The more tied you are to a particular version of the future,” writer Shane Parrish warns, “the less likely you are to adapt as things unfold.” While I believe this quote has nearly universal application in every aspect of life, it’s especially important in the arena of financial planning. Indeed, the ability to adapt to

Topline The stock market moved slightly higher on Friday after solid gains earlier this week, as investors assessed a stronger-than-expected jobs report amid ongoing fears that the Federal Reserve’s aggressive rate hikes could plunge the economy into a recession. Key Facts Markets opened lower but rebounded: The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.2%, nearly 100

Topline The stock market moved higher on Thursday, adding to recent gains a day after the Federal Reserve reaffirmed its commitment to bringing down inflation with more big rate hikes and tighter monetary policy, a move which helped ease recession fears somewhat. Key Facts Stocks added to solid gains so far this week: The Dow

You may know some aging folks who are staying in their own homes with caregivers helping as they lose independence. By far, most people want to stay in their own homes rather than go to a senior’s community. Maybe you’ve never calculated what that can cost. Medicare does not pay for home care, as it

Analysis by the Social Security Administration, as reported by Stephen Goss, the chief actuary of the SSA, shows that the increase in Social Security Benefits could increase as much as 8% for 2023. This is based on how the cost of living adjustment (COLA) is calculated for SSA benefits. The index, the “Consumer Price Index

If you spend time following the financial influencers on TikTok, you may start to get some crazy ideas about money. For example, some of the worst financial advice I’ve seen on TikTok has suggested that you should never put down any money when you buy a home and that anyone can be successful at day

Topline Oil prices continued to fall in choppy trading on Wednesday—extending recent losses as growing recession fears wreak havoc on markets, but despite concerns about an economic downturn hurting demand, most experts remain optimistic that prices will rebound by later this year. Key Facts The price of U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate slid nearly 2%

Topline Federal Reserve officials reaffirmed their commitment to fighting inflation with big rate hikes and pledged to use “more restrictive policy” as needed, especially amid “significant risk” that high consumer prices could become “entrenched” for longer, according to the minutes from the central bank’s latest policy meeting. Key Facts The Federal Reserve doubled down on

Retirement planning is extremely challenging because we don’t know exactly when it is going to occur or how long we will be in retirement. Even defining retirement can be a challenge. For some people, retirement is when they stop working for good. For others, it’s more of a mindset shift, a career change or a

June, by tradition has always opened the peak wedding season —but the pandemic’s pause on in-person ceremonies has surprisingly multiplied the number of marriage invitations this year. One survey found 2022 is a banner year with invitees attending five weddings on average –the most since 1984. And, while most guests will choose their gift off

Topline Oil prices dropped 8% Tuesday—falling back below $100 per barrel for the first time since May—as some experts warn that prices could fall to as low as $60 per barrel by the end of the year if an economic downturn significantly curtails demand. Key Facts The price of U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate slid

America’s severely underfunded public pensions are allocating ever-greater assets to the highest cost, highest risk, most secretive investments ever devised by Wall Street, such private equity, hedge funds, real estate, and commodities—all in a desperate search for higher net returns that, not surprisingly (given the outlandish fees and risks), fail to materialize. Transparency—public scrutiny and

Topline Amid the market’s worst first half of a year in over five decades, tech and cruise line stocks have been among the worst performers in the S&P 500, while energy, healthcare and consumer companies have all seen shares outperform despite rising recession fears. Key Facts The benchmark S&P 500 index is down more than

By Richard Eisenberg, Next Avenue Love is lovelier the second time around, according to the 1960 Frank Sinatra song. But what about money and second marriages? That’s a more complicated story, especially for couples with adult children. After all, most people who are 52 or 62 have more money when they marry than those who

By Barbara Sadick, Next Avenue The American health care system is complicated, difficult to navigate and can kill you if you aren’t prepared, proactive and knowledgeable. From finding good doctors to being able to afford medication, the hurdles can feel insurmountable. So says David Wilcox, who has spent nearly 30 years working in various capacities

Bear markets can be emotionally fraught times, as investment balances fall, and the economy slows. Potential concerns over layoffs and budget cutbacks often also rear their head. It can certainly be tempting to cut your contributions to retirement funds to attempt to avoid further losses, or warehouse cash positions to invest when things “get better”,

By Jaya Padmanabhan, Next Avenue On a busy day last year, 61-year-old Neil (not his real name) got a call from a man who called himself “John” and said he was from Apple AAPL Tech Support. He claimed to have received a report that Neil’s laptop was infected with a virus and offered to fix

Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Tax-exempt bonds have gotten a lot cheaper. Here’s a guide to finding the best deals. Rates up, prices down. The bond market crash has not spared municipal-bond funds. In the first half of the year they have managed to lose as much as 30% of their

Saving for retirement is one of the biggest financial challenges most working families will face. People are living longer, which means more years of retirement to pay for. Costs for healthcare and long-term care remain high. Meanwhile, incomes are being squeezed by higher inflation and rising costs for housing, college, and other major life expenses.

By Mindy Charski, Next Avenue Kyla Moles has purchased many cars in her life, but her latest quest for a vehicle felt more like a competition than a shopping expedition. “It was a harrowing experience,” says the 53-year-old office manager and mom of three. Her more than seven-month attempt to buy a new 2022 Hyundai

Topline Stocks fell in volatile trading on Thursday, wrapping up their worst first half of a year since at least 1970 as the S&P 500 remains in bear market territory, with investors continuing to sell off shares amid rising recession fears sparked by surging inflation and rate hikes from the Federal Reserve. Key Facts Stocks

By Susan Schaefer, Next Avenue Jim Fetig approached retirement the same way he approached the rest of his life: always on the go and eager to test his mettle. As a soldier’s son and later an Army officer himself, he has lived in 19 states and 3 foreign countries, traveled to 50 states and 44

Topline Stocks have struggled for direction since falling into a bear market earlier this month amid looming recession fears, but history shows that the market’s rapid pace of decline this year could actually be a positive sign—with stocks set to rebound if the broader economy avoids a downturn. Key Facts The S&P 500 officially fell

Now that 401(k) investors are free to jeopardize their retirement security by gambling on private equity and crypto, maybe its time to allow lottery tickets in 401(k)s. Get ready for “slots of fun!” In June 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor opened the door for plan sponsors to add private equity funds to their 401(k)

Topline Cruise stocks tanked on Wednesday after yet another major Wall Street firm warned that weak demand and higher costs could sink industry profits and lead to another demand shock, with Morgan Stanley cautioning that Carnival shares could lose all of their value if the economy falls into a recession. Key Facts Shares of Carnival

The standard format for overseas retirement—that is, permanent relocation to a new country—isn’t for everyone. For many, applying for and the implications of residency abroad aren’t worth the hassle. Others have a hard time landing on just one retire-overseas locale or want to see as much of the world as possible, traveling without limitation. Overseas

Topline Stocks fell for a second day in a row on Tuesday as markets failed to build on last week’s strong rebound from 2022 lows, with investors once again selling off shares amid looming recession fears and new economic data showing that consumer confidence plunged to a 16-month low. Key Facts Stocks erased earlier gains

Topline Home prices, which have been shooting up since last year, grew at a slower pace in April, showing signs of a potential cool down in the red-hot housing market, according to new data from S&P Case-Shiller on Tuesday. Key Facts Home-price growth slowed in April, rising 20.4% compared to last year but down from

Topline A leading indicator for housing market activity—pending home sales—unexpectedly jumped in May and reversed six straight months of declines, according to new data from the National Association of Realtors on Monday, though experts warn that higher mortgage rates will continue to weigh on demand. Key Facts Pending home sales, which measure signed contracts on

Earlier this month, the National Academy of Social Insurance released its new report, “Economic Security for the 21st Century.” It came out of the Academy’s 2019 – 2021 Economic Security Study Panel, the goal of which was to “assess economic insecurity and present policy options to better provide stable and adequate income,” with twin objectives