Our Insights

 U.S. Markets  Stocks extended their rally in the second quarter, boosted by cooling inflation, the prospect of a shift in monetary policy, and enthusiasm over artificial intelligence.  For the three months ending June 30, the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 3.41%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index picked up 8.74%. The Nasdaq Composite, which led in the first quarter, led again, gaining 12.81%.  Inflation Breaks  The stock market’s climb over the second quarter did not come without occasional bumps,

While you and your Patriot Advisor will work to create an overall retirement strategy, this does not mean that you will not need to make changes along the way. So, the question remains: When should you revisit your retirement strategy? First, when you have had a major change in your career, that is a good time to talk about your strategy. That change can be getting a new job, quitting, or being laid off. It can also be a promotion

Parents share a lot of private things with their children in the hope that the information will help them grow into successful adults. However, there is one topic most parents try to avoid talking about at all costs. And no, it is not what you are thinking. For many parents, the idea of having the “money talk” with their kids is a terrifying thought. The biggest reason parents avoid the topic is they don’t believe they know enough about money themselves and fear they will give their children the wrong

When the kids leave the nest and the family home seems too big and requires too much work to maintain, many retirees opt for new living arrangements. For many, the dream is to relocate to a warmer climate and a small patio home. Others decide to stay put and rent out a portion of a large house to help with finances. Many others choose to remain in their current living conditions throughout their golden years. No matter what living situation

Why do clients inquire about Health Savings Accounts? They have heard about what an HSA can potentially offer them: a pool of tax-exempt dollars for health care, a path to tax savings, even a possible source of retirement income after age 65. You must enroll in a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) to have an HSA, a health insurance option that is not ideal for everybody. You fund an HSA with pre-tax contributions. Some employers will even provide a matching contribution

In honor of Military Appreciation Month, we recognize those in the military and their families. Military members and their families face one-of-a-kind challenges, such as deployment to conflict zones, overseas assignments, and the constancy of change – all of which make dedicating time to personal finance a challenge. Luckily, there are special tax breaks and other benefits unique to service members. Follow these five tips to take advantage of potential benefits and simplify your military family’s personal finances. Tip #1:

One of the biggest challenges of planning for retirement is figuring out how much you can spend during your golden years. Retirement income planning requires careful preparation, and budgeting. A popular retirement income planning guideline is the 4% rule, which suggests that you live off 4% of your total investments during the first year of retirement. Then, you readjust every year in retirement based on your changing needs and inflation. But does this rule hold up? Is the 4% rule

Did you know that April is Financial Literacy Month? Financial Literacy Month is a national campaign designed to bring more financial education to both children and adults. Whether you’re a financial wiz or just learning the ropes, there are many ways to improve your financial literacy. Here are four to get you started. Make a Monthly Budget One of the most important steps in ensuring financial success is creating a monthly budget. This may sound simple, but a budget is

Spring is an ideal time to clean up your finances, clear out the clutter, and get a fresh start. Maybe you have extra money left over at the end of the month and could use a budget tweak. Perhaps you have too many automatic expenses, or it’s time to apply the brakes to your credit card spending. Whatever the reason may be, consider the following seven suggestions to get a better handle on your finances this spring season. Clean Up