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How the Ukraine War May Help US Inflation
War is not a good thing. I shouldn't have to say that, but I feel like I should. I'm not condoning war or saying we should hope for it, just that the economics of global uncertainty may help America. This video explains more. https://youtu.be/rqWrzWLE1pg
Ukraine and Inflation
In light of recent events, it's normal to be nervous. This short video addresses some of what's going on and how I am handling the current uncertenty. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqWrzWLE1pg
What Changes (if any) Will a Biden Administration Mean to Your Financial Plan
Very little can affect your financial plan as much as Washington's policies. From the recent changes the SECURE act made to retirement planning to the tax planning changes made via the Tax Cut and Jobs Act, Washington has a lot to do with the moves we make. With Joe Biden seemingly guaranteed to be our next president, it is essential to think about how policy changes may affect your finances. It is also vital to realize, implementing any of the strategies I mention is a risk. You are betting on policy changes that may, or may not, occur. Ensure you weigh the pros and cons of the changes and the chance that the policy changes may not happen. Last disclaimer. This article is for informational purposes only. Please consult a professional with the details of your situation before making any changes. Congress Is Important Before diving into any planning changes, we need to discuss how policy comes about. All policies must start in the Legislative branch. Either the Senate or House of Congress creates legislation, and once approved by both houses, it goes to the president to sign into law. No president can create legislation, but they can make requests [...]
What This Weeks Uncertainty Can Teach Us About the Market
In case you have not followed it, the election was this week. It's Thursday, and we still do not yet know who our president will be. Though it seems more apparent who the winner will be, that's not been the case all week. Note: I am trying to relay facts and avoid any political opinions We've been told almost all year that we would end up with a Trump loss. Heading into the last week or so before the election, many polls showed an unsurmountable Biden lead. As is usually the case, as the election approached, some of those polls closed, but still had a reasonably safe Biden win. The night of the election, and through today, it's been a rollercoaster ride of uncertainty. Regardless of your side of the aisle, it has been constant vacillating from confidence to depression. In the meantime, the market has been steady. Why? 4 Years Ago Remember the market crash the night of the 2016 election? As Trump moved from a less than 15% chance of winning to being the next president, the stock market took a steady dive. I vividly remember one of my friends panicking and blaming conservatives for "destroying my retirement." [...]
A Quick Change That Will Help Your Kids With Money
If you think it's hard to make the right money decision, try coming up with a way to teach your kids to make proper money decisions. Earlier this week, I listened to a YouTube video with Dr. Jordan Peterson and Warren Farrell about fathers' role in children's lives. While the video's title has nothing to do with the conversation, it was a great conversation. An Interesting Correlation Dr. Peterson and Dr. Farrell pointed out the correlation between deferring gratification, i.e., having patience and success in life. After sitting in hundreds of households and speaking to hundreds of families that want new cars and bigger houses but were unwilling to wait until they could afford these luxuries, I came to this conclusion years ago. Some Advice It's great to know what to teach, but how do you teach it? I've been trying to teach my kids patience but not succeeding. I've been attempting to teach Jokco's "discipline equals freedom" mantra. Showing them that you work hard first, then play afterward. We've talked about it, but we have not done it well. This video helped me learn the mistake I've made, and I hope it will help you too. We had the [...]
Will a 15-Year Mortgage Really Save You Thousands of Dollars?
You can always tell when interest rates have dropped. Your Facebook feed suddenly gets overrun by Quicken Loans adds promising to save you thousands of dollars in interest if you switch to a 15-year mortgage. It seems too good to be true, so is it?Yes.It is true. A 15-year mortgage will drastically lower the total interest you will pay over the life of your loan. By putting more money toward your principal each year, you reduce the balance so quickly that your interest cost drops much quicker than if you were in a 30-year mortgage. Not only do you pay the principal down quicker, but you also save on 15-years of interest payments. Even though your interest paid decreases each year, the last 15 years of interest still packs a punch. For example, in a 30-year 3.25% mortgage for $200,000, year 16 still has you paying about $320 per month in interest. The interest is less than the first years, roughly $535 per month but still substantial. The savings can be so substantial that paying the same $200,000 mortgage off n a 15-year schedule would save you about $60,000. So that settles it. The 15-year mortgage is the best option.Except, [...]
Should I Refinance My Mortgage?
Mortgage rates are at an all-time low. The Mortgage Bankers Association just announced that the average rate for a 30-year mortgage is 3.06%*. That's basically free. Current inflation is around 1-1.2% and historically approximately 2.3%, so mortgages only costs you 1-2% in interest. Now is a great time to refinance.But is it the Right Time For You?Just because interest rates are meager does not mean you should refinance. There are some situations where it could hurt. Answering these questions should give you a more precise answer to this question.How Long Will You Live In This House?If you plan to move in the coming years, it is probably not a good idea to refinance. The typical refinance will cost you somewhere around $3,000 in closing costs and fees. The general rule of thumb is only to refinance if you will own it for more than seven years.While the 7-year guideline works, it oversimplifies your situation. Smaller mortgage balances will take longer to recoup the closing costs, while larger mortgages may save enough interest in one to two years. The best way to make this decision is to do a little math. Don't worry; it won't be hard. You will need two [...]
What is a Fiduciary?
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Achieve Your Financial Dreams
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Plan for Retirement
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