Inflation: Trouble for the Economy?
Of all the fears investors have faced over the past 30 years, high inflation wasn’t among them. In 2021, that’s changed. Today, the biggest questions for investors revolve around inflation: How high will it go and how long will it last? Is it “transitory” as the Federal Reserve claims? Or is elevated inflation the new […]
The World and Investing in 2030
The world in 2030 may seem a long way off, but as investors it’s important to spend some time thinking about the distant future. Imagining life in 2030 is not a hypothetical. In the portfolios we manage, the average holding period is about eight years, so we’re living that approach to investing. So, projecting out […]
Should I be worried about inflation?
Many investors want to know if there are good reasons now to be worried about inflation. Inflation, which is the trend of prices over time to rise, hasn’t reared its ugly head too much so far in the 21st century. In fact, during the coronavirus pandemic, some sectors experienced deflation instead. However, some Americans still […]
What’s in the American Rescue Plan?
There’s a lot to unpack in the newly-passed, newly-signed American Rescue Plan bill. The goal is to help relieve the economic suffering caused by the COVID pandemic in various sectors. The bill makes unemployment benefits more generous, health insurance more affordable, and having children less expensive. It also reduces the pandemic’s most damaging effects […]
How Pent Up Demand Could Fuel Economic Recovery
With major league baseball’s spring training just around the corner, you may already be daydreaming about the smell of cut grass and roasted peanuts, hearing the crack of the bat and the roar of the crowd — just to feel normal again. If so, you are not alone — not among fellow Americans weary […]
How the Latest Relief Packages Affects AGI’s, RMD’s, Deductions
The U.S. Congress recently passed, and the President signed, the 5,593-page Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 relief package—and experts are still mulling over what the impact will be on ordinary citizens. There are stimulus checks, tax planning relief provisions, and a break for people who experience high medical expenses during the pandemic. There’s even […]
GameStop Gambling
GameStop: A David and Goliath story or a cautionary tale of feverish gambling? The GameStop David and Goliath story has given us a short break from 2020 doom and gloom. It’s a surprising story of how masses of small amateur investors managed to bid the share prices of three largely-unprofitable companies—GameStop, AMC Entertainment Holdings, and […]
Creative SALT Workarounds
One of the most hated tax provisions for people in higher-tax states is the so-called SALT limitation on state and local taxes. What is the SALT Limitation? The provision was part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which only allows taxpayers who itemize their deductions to deduct a maximum of $10,000 […]
Paycheck Protection Program Update
The U.S. government has extended The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Here’s a brief overview of what you need to know. Paycheck Program Basics Authorized by the CARES Act and administered by the Small Business Administration, the PPP helps employers cover the cost of their payroll so more people can remain employed during the […]
Prevent Social Media Overwhelm
It’s easy to get lost in the rabbit hole of social media. Especially when we’re still practicing social distancing and businesses aren’t all open yet. You think you’re going to get caught up with some friends from high school. Next thing you know, you’re arguing about what kind of potato you are two hours later. […]