Retirement Newsletter – May 2018
Would you pay more for a better employee retirement plan? If that trade-off sounds worthwhile, rest assured you are not the only one who feels that way. […]
Author: Todd A. Gaswick
Posts by Todd A. Gaswick
Weekly Economic Update – May 14, 2018
OIL HITS A 4-YEAR PEAK The price of WTI crude settled at $71.36 on Thursday, hours after Bank of America Merrill Lynch analysts forecast $90 oil by spring 2019 and a “risk of $100 a barrel” Brent crude next year. Thursday’s close was oil’s highest settlement since November 2014. Futures rallied 1.4% on the week […]
Adjusting Your Portfolio as You Age
As you approach retirement, it may be time to pay more attention to investment risk. If you are an experienced investor, you have probably fine-tuned your portfolio through the years in response to market cycles or in pursuit of a better return. As you approach or enter retirement, is another adjustment necessary? Some investors may […]
Weekly Economic Update – May 7, 2018
JOBLESS RATE HITS 18-YEAR LOW Unemployment fell to 3.9% in April, the Department of Labor said Friday – the smallest percentage seen since late 2000. Additionally, the U-6 underemployment rate declined to 7.8%, a 17-year low. Payrolls expanded with 164,000 net new jobs last month; the economy has created an average of 200,000 jobs a […]
Lifestyle Newsletter – May 2018
So long, suits & ties – the casual dressed workplace seems like the new normal. Does money really bring you happiness? – one study says yes… up to a point. Plenty of hype, but little substance – hyperloop travel is a dream that seems far from reality. Recipe of the month – smoked salmon deviled […]
Weekly Economic Update – April 30, 2018
MAIN STREET SUSTAINS ITS OPTIMISM America’s two most respected consumer confidence indices just improved. The University of Michigan’s final April household sentiment gauge rose a full point from its initial reading to 98.8 last week, and the Conference Board’s index came in at a great 128.7 for April – 1.7 points higher than its March […]
The Major 2018 Federal Tax Changes
Comparing the old rules with the new. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act made dramatic changes to federal tax law. It is worth reviewing some of these changes as 2019 approaches and households and businesses refine their income tax strategies. Income tax brackets have changed. The old 10%, 15%, 25%, 28%, 33%, 35%, and 39.6% […]
Financing a College Education
A primer for parents and grandparents. A university education can often require financing and assuming debt. If your student fills out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and does not qualify for a Pell Grant or other kinds of help, and has no scholarship offers, what do you do? You probably search for […]
The Risks of Putting Too Much Money Into an Annuity
These private income contracts do have potential flaws. It may not be good to have all your eggs in an annuity basket. Or even a majority of your eggs, financially speaking. Fundamentally, an annuity contract means handing over your money to an insurer. In turn, the insurer pays out an income stream to you from […]
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Avoid These Life Insurance Missteps
Shop wisely when you look for coverage. Are you about to buy life insurance? Shop carefully. Make your choice with insight from an insurance professional, as it may help you avoid some of these all-too-common missteps. Buying the first policy you see. Anyone interested in life insurance should take the time to compare a few […]