Several years ago, I was listening to an economic update with Schwab’s Chief Investment Strategist, Liz Ann Sonders. Someone asked: “What keeps you up at night?” Her answer surprised me and I have never forgotten it. She didn’t mention current events or market volatility — she said it was
I think we’ve all read the scary headline: “Social Security is running out of money.” It’s been running out of money — officially, on paper — since the early 1980s. The projected date just keeps moving. Today’s best guess? 2032. But before you panic, keep reading. Does that mean Social Security
The stock market was closed on Friday. This is a long-standing tradition honoring Good Friday, when – according to the Christian tradition – darkness fell for three hours. Ominous? We can wonder. Yet here we are – 2,000+ years later, still shutting down markets. Which raises a fun question:
Would you ever pay for a dinner without an itemized check? Buy a pair of shoes without knowing the price — or whether they’d wreck your feet long-term? Of course not. That would be insane. So why do we accept exactly that when it comes to retirement advice? After
It’s the weekend! The markets are closed for 2 days, and my nerves and my investments are enjoying a much-needed break. I’ll take it — and I hope you’ll do the same. Gas prices are making headlines and markets are reacting. It all hurts. But can we just take a
In my memo last week, I committed to addressing the question: “Is war good for the economy?” From the moment I wrote it, I’ve regretted framing this as an interesting economic question. Real people are losing homes, loved ones, and their semblance of security and peace of mind. I
What went through your mind when the U.S. and Israel struck Iran last weekend? I confess, I started checking account balances like a meteorologist during hurricane season! Here’s how markets fared this week: Oil surged 35% on the week — the biggest weekly gain since futures trading began
They could. According to The Economist, the U.S. stock market has generated a massive $24 trillion in gains over the past five years — and nearly half of it has gone to Americans over 70. Even more surprising? They’re still buying stocks at a brisk pace. That flips traditional advice
The Supreme Court decision to strike down the administration’s tariffs was undeniably big news. While social media feeds are throwing their conjectural ticker parades and people are speculating about their tariff refunds, I’m also left wondering if this is a moment for true celebration. What does the ruling truly
I’m hoping you’ll be doing a happy dance when you file your tax return this year. I usually do – but mostly because it’s done – and not because I’m happy about paying taxes. Does anyone really get excited about paying taxes? It’s just that this year, the lower tax
Tax season is officially underway. Erin Collins, the National Taxpayer Advocate, explains that the IRS is beginning this tax season under significant strain and filing taxes this year could be a little more chaotic than usual. Taxpayers should be extra careful. Why this season is different The IRS
When you were a kid, did you ever play Chutes and Ladders? Land on a ladder—up you climbed! But hit a chute and… whoosh—back down you went. The stock market can feel exactly like that. One headline hits and stocks jump. Another surprise shows up and—yep—down they slide. So let’s play
What could possibly go wrong if your neighbor won the lottery? A 2018 Philadelphia Fed study found that when someone wins the lottery, their neighbors often start spending more, borrowing more, and bankruptcies rise! Turns out “keeping up with the Joneses” isn’t just a joke—it’s a financial hazard. Ouch. You’d hope
What crossed your mind last weekend after news broke that Venezuela’s Maduro had been captured? Did you wonder how markets might react? The S&P 500 didn’t hesitate. It rose 1.07% for the week, closing at 6,966.28 — another record high. I expected markets to shrug. I didn’t expect them to respond
2025 was quite the year. I’ll let you be the sole interpreter of that phrase. Year-in-review recaps and predictions for 2026 are everywhere. Depending on your news feed—and its built-in biases—things may look either terrific or terrible, with very little room in between. Oxford University Press even named “rage
The ultra luxury market is going through a profound shift. It seems that rare wines, status watches, and private jets are losing their appeal. The best vacation spots, restaurants, and experiences are now the “in” thing. Luxury goods sales have fallen globally since 2023, while ultra-luxury experiences are up nearly 90% since
We’re getting mixed signals from the economy right now. On one hand, things look…pretty good. Corporate earnings are still rising. Inflation is easing. Interest rates are drifting down. And if forecasts are right, the effects of lower taxes should start showing up in early 2026, with refunds giving the economy
When is the best time to give money to a favorite charity? …. well … anytime! Charites need our support. Ask the same question from a tax standpoint, and the answer changes. The ability to deduct charitable donations is changing in 2026. Let’s talk about how to get the
December 6th is the feast of St. Nicholas, the patron saint of children. For centuries, kids placed their shoes outside hoping he’d fill them with small treasures—coins, oranges, bits of chocolate. One legend says that Nicholas threw a bag of gold into the home of a poverty-stricken family so the
I remember when driverless cars first hit the news. I read news articles from across the US about cars that lost connectivity – creating wicked traffic jams that needed human intervention. My favorite was about a robotaxi that got stuck in wet concrete in San Francisco. Who on earth
