Feeling All Right – Financial Market Update Last September, everything felt fine. Led by technology stocks, the stock market was up over 10%. The Federal Reserve raised the fed funds rate 0.75% at this point in 2018, causing bond performance to be basically flat, but at least savers were earning something in their savings accounts […]
Interest Rates – How Low Can They Go?
Interest Rates – How Low Can They Go? According to Bloomberg data, the world’s stockpile of negative-yielding debt nearly tripled in size from just a year ago. This phenomenon was born of unorthodox monetary policy carried out by central banks – namely, those in Europe first and then Japan – in the hope of boosting […]
Superstition – Stock Market and Investing
Stock Market and Investing Superstition The opening lyrics to the Stevie Wonder song “Superstition” from 1973 are: Very superstitious, writing’s on the wall Very superstitious, ladders bout’ to fall Thirteen-month-old baby, broke the lookin’ glass Seven years of bad luck, the good things in your past When you believe in things that you don’t understand […]
Are You Making Excuses For Not Speaking With A Financial Advisor?
Mia A. McFadden, CFP® When I tell people I am a financial planner I can feel their anxiety. You would have thought I had put them under a hot lamp and started demanding they remunerate all their financial shortcomings. Meanwhile I’m just making chit chat at the local neighborhood BBQ. Yet a lot of people […]
How to Save for College Education
Mia A. McFadden, CFP® With college costs soaring many parents are left scratching their heads over how to save for their child’s college education. We know that obtaining a college degree can result in higher pay and a wider array of career opportunities. But what we really hope a college degree translates to is a […]
Time is Relative – Market Update, 1st Quarter 2019
Most of those reading this update are of a generation that was born and raised well before the Internet. We can remember buying something from a catalog or cereal box and having to wait six weeks for our special purchase to arrive. Let’s imagine that you mailed your order, marked the wall calendar for six […]
Year in Review and Looking Forward
In our January write-up, we typically begin by reviewing the previous year. Last year proved to be one of the most difficult years in a while. At Bill Few Associates, we preach diversification. Our belief is that when you hold a diversified portfolio, at least some portion of your portfolio is working at all times. […]
Financial Market Commentary – 3rd Quarter of 2018
It’s All a Matter of Perspective! As US equities enter into the longest bull market for stocks in modern history, the question I have been asked most frequently is, what happens next? Is a stock market crash imminent, or is this bull market different and capable of running even longer? If my crystal ball […]
Important Dates for Investors
ReShelle Barrett, CFP® Important Dates for Investors Remember the excitement of turning 16 so you can get your driver’s license? And 21 to be a legal adult? Important birthdates don’t end there. As you head toward retirement, consider the following dates as they may be critical in ensuring your financial plan’s success: Age 55 Possible […]
2018 Contribution Limits for Retirement Plans
ReShelle Barrett, CFP® Nobody wants to think of filing tax returns at this time of year but the following limits should help in planning for your 2018 retirement account contributions. There is plenty of time to make IRA/Roth contributions (April 15, 2019 is deadline for 2018 contributions) but if you are trying to maximize your […]