Is it necessary to balance the Federal budget? For years, the prevailing wisdom has been… not really. In fact, over the past 50 years, only two U.S. presidents managed to balance the federal budget: Lyndon Johnson (briefly, in1969) and Bill Clinton (from 1998 to 2001). Since then, it’s
Why A Poppy? Sometimes, the smallest things carry the biggest meaning. Have you ever noticed veterans wearing little red poppies on their lapels on Memorial Day and wonder why? It started during World War I. In the spring of 1915, bright red flowers began poking through the battle-ravaged fields of
Warren Buffet never ceases to astound me. At the age of 94, his net worth is over $160B, yet he still lives in the same home he bought in Omaha Nebraska at the age of 28 for $31,500. (1) When I look at news clips of him, his eyes
I hope your mom was as weird as my mom was. She was the mom who: Went for a morning jog on our high school track – in her curlers! I was mortified!!! hen she was in her 70’s one of the neighbor’s dogs attacked her little
We don’t have to look any further than our investment statements to know that Donald Trump’s first 100 days were tough on the stock market. While a rocky first 100 days may be an indicator of lower returns, history shows that it doesn’t necessarily mean negative returns over the
Social Security is a topic that makes a lot of people feel uneasy these days. With all the talk of government cuts, it’s hard not to wonder if Social Security will be next. Let’s start by understanding that Social Security is not an “entitlement” — it’s a program we’ve all paid
One of my all-time favorite days was The Great Blackout of 2011. Yes– a blackout! On September 8th 2011 at 3:30 in the afternoon there was a widespread power outage in San Diego that lasted 11 hours. Most people had to leave work and go home. No computers, no TV, and
It’s All About the Bonds This past week, President Trump hit the brakes on tariffs, putting a 90-day pause in place. The reason might surprise you: the bond market threw a bit of a tantrum. So… why does that matter? Let’s break it down. Bonds 101: The Basics Behind
Wow! Are you as happy as I was to hear the closing bell of the stock market this past Friday? I am enjoying a 2-day reprieve from stock market losses and pray – truly, truly pray – for a bit of a bounce back on Monday. Let’s break down the impact
I always love getting your feedback on my Sunday memos, and last week’s responses were exceptional. Thank you to all who shared! The article talked about the greatest investment that we can make is an investment in “connection, and knowing people have your back. … If we want stronger
The US has a happiness problem. According to the 2025 World Happiness Report, Finland just ranked as the happiest country in the world for the eighth year in a row, followed by Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden. (1) Despite the war with Hamas, Israel came in at eighth. Costa Rica and Mexico entered the top 10
Let me start by saying this is probably the most boring memo I will ever write. That said, I think it’s worth understanding what is driving some of the recent market volatility. Got any ideas? Here’s a few hints: 1. It’s not just the threat of a government shutdown
In 2017, 59% of Americans said that the lowest point in our nation’s history is “right now.” It got worse. In 2024 67% of Americans believed we were at the lowest point in history.[1,2] What this tells me is that a majority of Americans believe that things are worse today
If anyone yelled those words at me, I could almost guarantee that I would toss my hands up in the air, surrender, freeze, and slowly back up. Perhaps it’s my catholic upbringing that makes me compliant. Or maybe it’s the veracity of the recent news. Either way, we need to
Just how great will “The Great Wealth Transfer” be? The Baby Boomer generation, those born between 1946 and 1964, hold roughly 50% of all household wealth in the U.S – an estimated $78 Trillion. (1) For years, economists and analysts have been predicting a large portion of that will fall to
It’s Super Bowl Sunday! Time to whip up the guacamole and the superstitions. There is a nonscientific Super Bowl predictor that says if the AFC wins, the stock market will decline and if the NFC wins, the markets will have a bull run in the upcoming year. Does that
Yes. We just don’t know when. Markets correct. They always do. Corrections, also referred to as “drawdowns,” occur each year. Let’s go back five years and look at the maximum drawdowns for the S&P 500(1) 2020 -33.9% 2021 -5.2% 2022 -25.4% 2023 -10.3% 2024 -8.5% What’s remarkable
Lately, the markets have been acting like a petulant, over-reactionary teenager. One day it’s full of joy and excitement, and the next day it’s rolling its’ eyes and sending chilling death glares our way. It doesn’t take much to go from one extreme to another and the mood swings
When was the last time you fell to your hands and knees and kissed the ground because you got an insurance renewal bill in the mail? I don’t know about you, but if I do get my renewal in May, that is exactly what I will be doing! Prior
Hearing that the world is headed for disaster and chaos is by far more interesting thanforeseeing a world that is steadily progressing. The odds are the second statement is more accurate than the first. Just look back at the way your parents, grandparents, and even your great
