Fixed-Income vs. Stock Portfolio
Early this year, many stopped spending and began saving money. This wasn’t difficult as many areas of the economy were — and possibly still are — shut down. For some, vacation plans were canceled, and the normal level of entertainment activities and dining out have been curbed. If you’ve remained employed, chances are good you’ve…
Americans And Their 401(k)s
A recent survey found that working households experiencing financial strain due to the pandemic have not been inclined to make withdrawals from their 401(k)s to help make ends meet. In fact, the vast majority haven’t even changed their rate of contributions. Instead, these households are relying on the “old standbys” of surviving during economic decline:…
Hurricane Season: Keeping A Close Eye
As if the U.S. doesn’t have enough concerns, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts a busier-than-usual hurricane season this year. The organization expects 13 to 19 named storms between June 1 and Nov. 30, 2020, with as many as six major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or…
Dealing With Financial Hardship
A recent poll found that nearly one out of every five Americans are experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 outbreak and subsequent lockdowns.1 With reported infections soaring in recent weeks, financial stress could affect even more citizens as various areas of the country struggle to contain the pandemic. However, what may happen in the future…
Automotive Sector and Prospects
We take a lot for granted, including the condition of the car that sits in our driveway. During the coronavirus pandemic, those cars have been sitting idle much more than usual. That’s not necessary a bad thing. It means we spend less money on gas and maintenance. Also, our risks of having an automotive accident…
Summer Vacation And Having To Reroute
All is not lost. If you planned a multi-city tour across Europe or Asia this summer, you’ve probably already rethought those plans. But that doesn’t mean you have to abandon the idea of a vacation altogether. Perhaps a domestic destination, a little ingenuity and a lot of family unity are just what you need. As…
National Debt Increase And What It Could Mean For You
If you’d like to see a snapshot of what’s going on with national debt versus revenue, check out the U.S. Debt Clock. While there’s a lot moving on one screen, you can take a look at individual blocks to see how much the U.S. takes in via tax revenues compared to what it pays out in…
Social Security Woes
In 2000, actors Helen Hunt and Kevin Spacey starred in “Pay It Forward.” The premise of the film is that a person repays a favor by offering small acts of kindness to more people. This concept of paying it forward leads to an exponential movement of goodwill. Social Security works a bit like that. In…
Future Of Retail Raises Questions
Will we learn to live with less? Some lessons were learned when the U.S. and the retail market initially closed up shop and told everyone to stay home. For example, we can live without extra-soft, double-ply toilet paper and go a whole weekend without shopping at a store or eating at a restaurant — but…
Real Estate Market And The Pandemic
Research has found that over a 150-year period (1870 to 2015), owning a home has proved to be one of the most stable and secure holdings compared to other types of investments. While offering the added benefits of providing shelter and leaving it as a legacy, residential real estate market property is generally viewed as…
Drug Prices Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
A study published in May in the Journal of Virus Eradication reported on nine potential medications that could be used to treat the coronavirus. Based on how much these drugs currently cost, researchers projected prices for a generic version. For example, in the case of sofosbuvir (a drug used to treat hepatitis C), the price…
Health Care: What Lies Ahead
In 1960, the average American spent about $147 a year on health care expenses. In 2017, that number was $10,739. In the ’60s, the health care industry represented 5% of GDP. In 2017, it was nearly 18%.1 Unfortunately, annual incomes have not increased on par with this particular cost of living. As a result, more…
