Let’s have a little fun – can the winner of the Super Bowl game predict the stock market’s next move? Well, the “Super Bowl Indicator” is a superstition that says that the stock market’s performance in a given year can be predicted based on the outcome of the Super Bowl of that year. WHAT…
The bad guys are always trying to take your hard-earned dollars. “Neighbor spoofing” is one of the latest strategies used by scammers. Forewarned is forearmed! HOW DOES “NEIGHBOR SPOOFING” WORK? Neighbor spoofing is designed to trick you into answering the phone. It is a form of caller ID spoofing used by scammers, telemarketers, and…
Let’s forget the stock market for a moment. The events of our daily lives, not Wall Street, may determine our financial security or ruin. Let’s just suppose, your teenage student has a grudge against a high school teacher and begins a smear campaign on social media. Due to the false statements and following public humiliation and…
Iiiiittt’ssss baaack. We are talking inflation today on Sunday Money– U.S. consumer prices recorded their largest increase in 11 months in December 2017 bolstering expectations that inflation will accelerate this year. WHAT IS BEHIND THE RECENT UPTICK IN INFLATION DATA? Increases in demand and sales typically leads to rising prices: Housing rents. Car sales.…
It’s a new year and a great time to review and update your spending plan, or start one with a fresh mind-set if this is something you’ve been putting off forever. Budgeting doesn’t need to be complicated – it really just depends on how much detail YOU want to track. Technology has made a lot…
With an unexpectedly stellar year for investment markets behind us, what’s in store for the year ahead? Certified Financial Planner Paul Fain provides eight financial predictions for 2018. CAN THE U.S. ECONOMY STAY ON A ROLL? U.S. ECONOMY ↑: Will grow and remain near 2.5%. The U.S. economy has greater momentum than it has…
What a year 2017 was! After a lingering slump for worldwide economies and markets (2014 through late 2016), the past 12 months have been crazy, chaotic, and chart-topping in ways both good and bad. Hurricanes Harvey and Irma brought destruction. The Equifax cyber-hack created its own tidal wave of financial security concerns. A reality TV…
As Congress grapples with the most sweeping tax overhaul effort in decades, investors have many questions: How will this affect me? What should I do now? Well, we’ve got answers. WHAT SHOULD INVESTORS DO TO PREPARE FOR THE NEW TAX RULES? In general, investors should not make significant changes to their investments or financial…
The saying goes, “A goal not written down is merely a wish!” As you begin to ponder your goals for 2018, what are your plans for financial success? THE NEW YEAR WILL BE HERE BEFORE WE KNOW IT, WHAT ARE SOME DO’S AND DON’T FOR SETTING MONEY GOALS? Let’s start with the “DO’S:” Be…
A Message of Thankfulness from Paul Fain My college freshman son came home for the holiday weekend. As he packed his car to return to campus, I offered him some gas money. “No thanks, I’ll manage,” he responded. I shoved the twenty dollar bill back into my wallet in disbelief. I am thankful that…