Examples of asset bubbles that kept growing and popped spectacularly Bitcoin is going through another spectacular price move so far in 2021, rising from about $28,000 on January 1st to about $48,000 in mid-February. And other cryptocurrencies have come along for the ride, with Dogecoin (pronounced “dozhe-coin”), being one of the oddest of the bunch. Why is it odd? Well, Dogecoin was originally a joke cryptocurrency, taking its name from the “doge” internet meme that showed a picture of a
Read MoreThe New IRS Tax Rates and Deductions for 2021
Although a year away, your 2021 tax planning should have already started Amidst all the pandemic news and 2020 election drama, many might have missed that the IRS also quietly published new 2021 tax rates in late October and there are plenty of changes that will impact taxpayers in 2021. While it’s more than a year away (these changes are for 2021 returns filed by taxpayers in 2022), there are a few changes that you should know about. Rules Not
Read MoreWhat Can the Best/Worst Stocks of 2020 Tell Us?
Looking for longer-term trends that might shape the next few years Let’s be honest for a second: the DJIA, the S&P 500, and NASDAQ all delivered one of the most surprising years in recent history. And while many are happy to see 2020 in the rear-view mirror, the 2020 performance for the major U.S. indices was nothing short of impressive, especially given the headwinds of COVID-19 and the drama surrounding the presidential election. Who could have predicted that: The DJIA
Read More4th Quarter 2020 Market Commentary
Markets Reach New Highs in 2020 Global equity markets pulled back in October, turned in some astonishing returns in November, performed admirably for the month of December and closed out the fourth quarter of 2020 with new record highs. While many are happy to see 2020 in the rear-view mirror, the performance for the last quarter and for all of 2020 for the major U.S. indices was nothing short of impressive, especially given the headwinds of COVID-19 and the drama
Read MoreHow Should We Approach New Year’s Resolutions For 2021?
After the long year that has been 2020, 2021 is just a couple days away. This is a time when many of us reflect on the year we have had and think of resolutions and goals we can set for ourselves in the coming year. But just as it has been an unprecedented year, our resolutions for the coming year may be unprecedented as well. A recent survey by OnePoll on behalf of Affirm, a consumer finance company, found some interesting trends. The survey asked 2,000 Americans about their ideas for the new year after
Read MoreA Financial Review Can Pay Off at Year End
Today, many people find themselves bombarded by a constant stream of financial news from television, radio, and the Internet. Yet, does all this “information age” data really help you manage your finances any better now than in the past? Often, what are considered old-fashioned practices, such as performing periodic financial reviews, can lead to greater success in the long run. Why not spend a few hours reviewing your finances? The changes you make today could result in increased savings. Consider
Read More#GivingTuesday: A Global Day for Giving Back
Consider whether a donor advised fund helps build a more generous world November brings us Thanksgiving – a day for simply giving thanks. The 11th month also brings us Black Friday and Cyber Monday – two days encouraging us to shop. And since 2012, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving also offers us #GivingTuesday, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving where we can come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give back. According to GivingTuesday.org, approximately $511 million was raised online
Read MoreA Much Needed Hole-in-One
The Masters reminds us that traditions (like annual financial planning) strengthen bonds and offer security Scheduled annually for the first full week of April, the Masters is the first major of the year. Except in 2020. On March 13th, Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club, told the sports world that the Masters Tournament, the Augusta National Women’s Amateur and the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals would be postponed. Then on April 6th, just a few days before
Read MorePolitical Parties and Stock Markets since 1900
Should stock market investors hope for a unified or a divided Washington? Does the party occupying the White House affect the U.S. stock markets and other economic measurements? How does the party controlling Congress affect markets? While it’s interesting to review history and try to answer those questions, before we draw any conclusions, we should at least acknowledge that “past performance is no guarantee of future results.” That is especially true this year as virtually everyone would agree that COVID-19
Read MoreQ3 2020 Market Commentary
A Very Solid Third Quarter Global equity markets continued their rebound from earlier this year, despite struggling in the final month of the quarter. By the time the third quarter closed, investors saw that: The DJIA ended the third quarter up 7.6% The S&P 500 ended up 8.5% NASDAQ ended up 11.5% for the quarter It should be noted that the positive third quarter came after what many will see as validation of that September Swoon theory – when the
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