Hitting 50 is one of the milestones in life that cause many to pause and reflect. Some think about relationships with family and friends. Others use the moment to learn from past successes and mistakes. But it’s hard to deny that many also have one thought about the future. That is, will I be able […]
If you’re a small business owner, you’ve probably been hearing and reading news about a possible recession in the U.S. economy. Every day seems to bring new speculation, and the headlines grow more and more sensational. So, you should be worried, right? Well, not exactly. We haven’t officially entered into a recession, at least not […]
The economic ocean in the United States has been clear and calm for the last decade. Cheap lending rates made some bad stocks seem good. They also brought in a lot of new money into other investments like real estate and cryptocurrency. But with the Fed raising interest rates, the tide is pulling back quickly. […]
Businesses have enjoyed over a decade of interest rates that barely registered on balance sheets. Unfortunately, that low interest environment has made it easy to forget what to do when the Federal Reserve does raise rates. Some of you have been there, but it’s been a while. Others may be navigating uncharted waters. Either way, […]
So, you’re back from the honeymoon and setting up a life together as a married couple. Congrats! You have so many great times ahead of you. Of course, great times happen more frequently when newlyweds are on the same financial page. And that means setting up a budget. But don’t worry, budgeting isn’t a chore. It’s […]
It’s that time of year. The beach and the mountains are calling. You might be getting invitations to weddings in far-flung locales. And in the middle of the year, most of us are itching for a break from the daily routine. So, our internet browser entries are full of vacation searches that our bank account […]
Admittedly, many articles on this blog regarding taxes are cautionary. However, that’s prudent since the goal is to help you navigate events like audits and avoid pitfalls like liens against your personal property. But it’s not all doom and gloom with the IRS. A tax refund can be a bright spot in your year and […]
The Federal Reserve made its biggest interest rate hike in 22 years, and more are on the horizon. In an environment like this, where inflation is outpacing personal income and the investment outlook is murky, it can be easy to get lost in confusion. International strains like the war in Ukraine and ongoing pandemic restrictions […]
The buzzword on everyone’s lips these days is inflation. It’s in the news and in everyday conversations with friends and family. But, of course, inflation, in and of itself, isn’t a bad thing. The Federal Reserve tries to ensure a modest rate of inflation, about 2% every year. Doing so gives them wiggle room to […]
News flash. Building strong, trusting business relationships is essential for long-term success. Okay, maybe that’s pretty obvious, but it is certainly easier said than done. At least in the U.S., business systems are built around a sense of competition. And that competitive fire can lead to dog-eat-dog environments where ethics and relationships are jettisoned in […]