Blog

Understanding the Fed's Rate Cuts and Their Impact on Mortgage Rates

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, December 8, 2025

As the Federal Reserve guides short-term rates lower, many homeowners and prospective buyers are understandably curious about its implications for mortgage rates. While the Fed's decision reflects its concern about the broader...

New Retirement Contribution Limits for 2026

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, December 1, 2025

The Internal Revenue Service recently released new limits for 2026. Although these adjustments won’t bring any major changes, there are some minor elements to note. Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) IRA contribution limits are up...

A Steady Approach to Market Movements

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, November 24, 2025

Market fluctuations can produce headlines that are unnerving. However, the true measure of a sound financial strategy is its ability to weather short-term volatility in support of your long-term goals. When markets become volatile,...

Ready for Medicare Open Enrollment?

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, November 17, 2025

Medicare’s annual open enrollment period begins October 15 and ends December 7. During this time, current Medicare beneficiaries have the option to adjust their coverage for the coming year. Any changes to your plan will go into...

Social Security Announces 2.8 Percent COLA for 2026

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, November 3, 2025

The Social Security Administration has announced a 2.8 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2026, impacting approximately 75 million Americans receiving Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. The...

3 Critical Words: Adjusted for Inflation

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, September 22, 2025

“Adjusted for inflation” is a phrase you may think isn’t important. But when you see it in action, you might change your mind. Let’s examine how “adjusted for inflation” has affected a couple of tax rules and their impact on Social...

It's FAFSA Time

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Tuesday, September 2, 2025

It’s FAFSA time! As your student prepares for college, they can now fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, for the upcoming school year. Even if your student won’t require help from the government, filling out...

What Happens When the Fed Adjusts Rates?

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, August 25, 2025

Hardly a day goes by that someone doesn’t say to me, “I’m putting off a decision until the Fed changes interest rates.” But I’m quick to remind people that the “rate dominoes” don’t always fall as you may expect. Here’s what could...

Navigating the 2025 Tax Shift

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, August 11, 2025

On July 4, 2025, a major new tax law—the “Make American Workers and Families Thrive Again Act”—was signed into law. This wide-reaching legislation updates many parts of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which were set to expire at the...

Live Strong, Live Smart: A Men’s Health Blueprint

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, June 16, 2025

Why Men’s Health Matters—Now More Than Ever Men are often conditioned to “tough it out,” avoid doctors, and ignore symptoms. But here’s the reality: strong men prioritize their health. Not for vanity, but for legacy. For energy. For...

Handling the Health Insurance Gap

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, June 9, 2025

Americans seem upbeat about retirement, with more people preparing to retire at 70, according to the latest Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) study. Sometimes, though, reality gets in the way: the same survey found that 40...

Is Social Security Going to Run Out in Your Lifetime?

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, May 19, 2025

We get regular updates on the Social Security trust fund. The Social Security Board of Trustees announced that the trust funds had revenue to pay full benefits until 2035. Generally speaking, the headline’s tone is very grim and...

I’d Like to Hear from You

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, April 21, 2025

I hope this email finds you well! As your financial professional, I'm always looking for ways to provide you with the most relevant and helpful information to support your financial journey. To make sure we're hitting the mark, I'd...

Tariffs Stir Market Volatility

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, April 14, 2025

Every investor knows there are highs and lows during the year. The challenge is remaining focused during the lows. As the 2025 tariff talks have progressed, stock prices have seen more down days than up days as the details get rolled...

Sunny Side Down: Egg Prices Fall

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, March 31, 2025

Forget the Fed frenzy and take a timeout from tariff talk. Let's focus on what's really scrambling the markets right now: egg prices. After reaching an all-time high of $8.17 a dozen in early March, prices have trended lower and may...

Are the ups and downs of the stock market leaving you unsettled? Feeling hopeful when the market rises and uneasy when it dips is natural. However, these emotions can sometimes lead to hasty buying or selling, and attempting to...

The price action in this year’s stock market has me humming the 1970s tune by The Carpenters called “Rainy Days and Mondays.” As the chart shows, Mondays and Fridays have been awful for investors, while the mid-week days have...

The SECURE Act 2.0 has introduced catch-up contribution choices for those aged 50+, designed to help boost your retirement savings. These enhanced catch-up provisions are available if you're participating in workplace retirement plans...

Do me a favor: print the chart in this email and pin it to your wall. I want you to have a constant reminder that stock prices see pullbacks several times during the year. It’s a normal, healthy part of the investing cycle. Is it...

Like you, I’ve read a few unsettling headlines in recent weeks–which has led to some moving and shaking on Wall Street. First, we read that “Chinese Start-Up DeepSeek Threatens American Artificial Intelligence Dominance.” That led to...

Even small decisions can have a big impact on your financial situation. By understanding your cash flow and taking a tax-smart approach, you can help make your money work harder toward your long-term goals. What Is Cash Flow and Why...

Cetera Investment Management is pleased to release its annual Market Outlook for 2025 titled, "The Great Moderation: Riding a Wave of Economic Stability". This coming year could end up being known as the “Great Moderation” as they...

Financial stability often hinges on consistent, strategic decisions. By understanding your cash flow and approaching it with a tax-intelligent mindset, you can help maximize your money’s potential and move closer to long-term goals....

The holiday season is upon us; from story time with sorely missed grandchildren to laughter with friends and family over long-cherished memories, there's little doubt that "the most wonderful time of the year" has arrived. For my...

Budgeting is a powerful first step on the path to building wealth as a young investor. By establishing mindful financial habits now, you can build a solid foundation to support your long-term financial goals. Here are ten budgeting...

Below is your 2024 Last-Chance Checklist. We call this checklist “Last Chance” because it reminds us to take a look at some areas—like taxes, investments, health care, insurance, and retirement—that might need our attention before the...

Budgeting is a powerful first step on the path to building wealth as a young investor. By establishing mindful financial habits now, you can build a solid foundation to support your long-term financial goals. Here are ten budgeting...

The Internal Revenue Service released the updated income tax brackets, standard deduction, and retirement contribution limits for the 2025 tax year. While these changes won’t impact you for some time, it may benefit you to start...

Social Security beneficiaries will see a 2.5% increase in their benefit payments in 2025, according to the Social Security Administration. The annual cost of living (COLA) adjustment will affect more than 72.5 million Social Security...

When you hear “hot dog” and “inflation” in the same sentence, you might think of those supermarket franks that plump up when cooked. In this case, we’re talking about the original dogs of the ballpark, a cultural touchstone of...

Election years, particularly presidential elections, traditionally come into focus after Labor Day. This is when many American voters become fully engaged with the process. With that in mind, I often get the question: “Politics aside,...

Beginning on January 1, 2020, the SECURE Act changed many IRA beneficiaries’ distribution options. Under the SECURE Act, most non-spouse beneficiaries must now distribute Inherited IRA assets within 10 years of the owner’s death (the...

Faith-Based Investing Strategy Faith-based investing, also known as values-based investing, is an approach that aligns financial assets with the principles and beliefs of religious or ethical doctrines. It involves blending one’s faith...

Faith-based investing does not mean you only invest in companies that just align with your values. Instead, you invest in companies that have sound religious-aligned principles and avoid those that don’t, such as companies that support...

Faith-based investing is an approach to managing investments that align with an investor’s religious faith. Faith-based investing aims to generate financial returns without compromising moral and ethical values. Faith-based investing...

Successful investing is about finding the style that works for you and sticking to your strategy through market cycles. The best investments are those that meet your financial objectives and uphold your personal values. The concept of...

Faith-based investing is similar to traditional investing in how it seeks high returns on investment at low costs. However, faith-based investing often excludes investments that violate or go against faith and religious values. Broadly...

An Overview of Faith Based Investing Faith-based investing is similar to traditional investing in how it seeks high returns on investment at low costs. However, faith based investing often excludes investments that violate or go...

How Faith Based Investing is Different from Progressive and Traditional Investing New numbers just came out for the risk tolerance within the strategy Faith-based funds are competitive with traditional investing but may lag due to...

Faith Based Investing Strategy and Portfolio Management The company is focused on beating the market and is very interest rate sensitive, trying to pick bonds that are not tied to interest rates. Examples of non-interest rate tied...

Tax-Efficient Solutions and Municipal Bonds as Faith Based Investments The speaker discusses using municipal bond funds for tax-efficient solutions, as they are federal tax-free, helping reduce both federal and state tax liabilities....

Faith Based Investment Strategy Options The conservative option includes one investment option, the moderate option includes four, and the growth option includes four. All options have a two percent cash reserve to cover fees, with the...

Faith Based Investing Strategy and Portfolio Management The company is focused on beating the market and is very interest rate sensitive, trying to pick bonds that are not tied to interest rates. Examples of non-interest rate tied...

Faith Based Core Ops Strategy Emerging markets are expected to rapidly boost the account and aid in its growth, especially when the market is down. The strategy helps limit drawdown and aims to bring the account back to its previous...

Faith Based Investment Portfolio Allocation and Strategies Chris Holcomb suggests that if one hypothetically has a $1 million portfolio with 6% in equity, this equates to $60,000.Of this $60,000, 10% would be allocated to alternative...

Faith Based Investing Core Investment Strategy Overweighting two sectors: technology and domestic energy Satellite sector and core flexion satellite reviewed weekly, while bonds and stocks and domestic International Etc are only...

Heritage Financial Advisors offers faith-based investing A faith-based solution has been available for some time and is now called the standard option Due to client demand and restrictions, three new portfolios have been developed...

If you are an IRA owner interested in donating to charity, a qualified charitable distribution may be an option. If you are over 70 1/2, qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) can be a favorable way to make donations to charities,...

With such a high standard deduction, taxpayers may not get additional itemized deductions for charitable donations. However, with a little clever planning in charitable giving, taxpayers can exceed the standard deduction, start...

Qualified charitable distributions from an IRA provide individuals over 70½ with a way to receive income tax savings on charitable gifts— even if they decide to take the newly increased standard deduction. By using a QCD, an individual...

Stocks dropped last week as investors focused on “what's next” for interest rates after mixed comments from multiple Fed officials. Fed Officials Weigh In Stocks struggled out of the gate again last week, ending Monday and Tuesday in...

Can you imagine winning $1.13 billion (before taxes)? If you've seen the headlines, you know this isn't a hypothetical for one lucky resident of New Jersey.1 I have no doubt the winner will feel like (over) a billion bucks if they...

Wall Street keeps asking, “When will the Fed start cutting interest rates?” But perhaps the better question is, “What is the Fed looking for before it would consider cutting interest rates?” As you may recall,...

Discover the key considerations in choosing Medicare coverage, including costs, coverage rules, doctor choices, and travel coverage, among others. Plus, learn how to protect yourself from the Medicare COVID Test Scam, which involves...

Time's Person of the Year, Taylor Swift, is shaking off economic downturns and hitting high notes not just on stage but in the U.S. economy, too. The pop sensation's impressive impact extends beyond her record-breaking music, reaching...

Many consider the University of Michigan the gold standard for reporting on consumer sentiment and trends. Among its 50 monthly reports, the most well-known is the "UMich Consumer Sentiment" survey, which measures consumer confidence....

The Internal Revenue Service has released new limits for the coming year. After months of high inflation and financial uncertainty, some of these cost-of-living-based adjustments have reached near-record levels. Individual Retirement...

How much are you withholding per paycheck?Is the amount too little? (Or too much?) Find out the answer before the year ends. You may not want to discover next year that your withholding amount for this year was too small. The IRS...

The Social Security Administration recently announced that over 71 million Americans, including Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries, will receive a 3.2% increase in their benefits for 2024.1 However, it is...

Don't Turn Off The Football Game

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, September 25, 2023

It’s football season. School is back in session, the days are getting shorter, and the weather is starting to turn. If you sit down to watch your alma mater play, your “to-do” list may grow. Your car may only have...

The 401(k) Millionaires Club

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, August 28, 2023

The stock market rebound has significantly increased the number of workers with $1 million or more in their workplace retirement accounts. According to Fidelity Investments, employees with 401(k) balances exceeding $1 million rose 26...

Your Quarterly Medicare Newsletter

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, August 7, 2023

Are you already planning for the end of the year? Where did the time go? In this edition, we’ll be looking into navigating Medicare for the first time, particularly if you are under the age of 65. Don’t forget Medicare...

Wasn't There Supposed to be a Recession?

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, July 24, 2023

In advance of 2023, the recession drum beats were so loud it was deafening. Market pundits warned that as the Fed raised interest rates, it was just a matter of time before the economy entered a recession.But it’s July now, and...

Happy Parents’ Day!

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Saturday, July 22, 2023

The fourth Sunday in July is Parents’ Day in the United States, created by an act of Congress in 1994.While it may receive less attention than the well-known Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, Parents’ Day reflects...

Happy Parents’ Day!

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Saturday, July 22, 2023

The fourth Sunday in July is Parents’ Day in the United States, created by an act of Congress in 1994.While it may receive less attention than the well-known Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, Parents’ Day reflects...

Budgeting for Surprises: Summer Travel Tips

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, July 17, 2023

Now that summer is in full swing, it's the perfect time to take a trip. But sometimes, even your best-laid plans go a little off-kilter.Here are a few of the most common travel issues and how to make sure that no matter what happens,...

June CPI, the Fed, & Interest Rates

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, June 19, 2023

Jerome Powell skipped an interest rate hike at the Fed’s June meeting, but the market isn’t buying what the Fed Chair is selling about what’s next with short-term rates.Powell signaled that two more rate increases may...

Your Quarterly Medicare Newsletter

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, May 8, 2023

Spring is about new beginnings, and that applies to Medicare as well. Whether you are a first-time recipient or looking to update your plan for the year, you can read about some of your coverage here.What screenings does Medicare...

Contribution Deadline Fast Approaching

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, April 10, 2023

Just a quick reminder that the last day to make 2022 contributions to certain retirement accounts is fast approaching. In most cases, the contribution deadline is the same as your tax return filing deadline. For instance, you can make...

The best laid plans…

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Tuesday, April 4, 2023

Even the most thought-out financial strategy may need to be adjusted for unexpected events, such as changes to your family life or career, or shifts in your family priorities. These are important opportunities for us to connect and...

When events like Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank happen, it's natural to wonder how a bank safeguards your funds. Fortunately, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insurance was designed for this very reason:...

The Cookie Crumbles: Girl Scouts Face Supply Chain Issues

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, March 20, 2023

The Cookie Monster in all of us will have to learn a little restraint this year. In what is becoming a familiar story, supply chain issues have hit yet another beloved American staple: Girl Scout Cookies.Specifically, some fan-favorite...

Spring into financial transparency

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, March 6, 2023

The time following Valentine's Day has always served as a reminder that Spring is on the way. The days are getting longer, the birds and the bees are doing their thing, and people everywhere are thinking about future travel and...

Words of Wisdom from Warren Buffett

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Tuesday, February 21, 2023

The stock market can provide some head-scratching moments, which is why I like Warren Buffet’s quote, “...don’t watch the market closely.”Stocks have been strong this year, and they rallied sharply before...

The Biggest Bowl Game of the Year

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, February 6, 2023

As the biggest sporting event of the year approaches, football fans all over the nation (including us) are gearing up for the Big Game on Sunday, February 12, at 6:30 PM ET.For many, Sunday means a day of tasty tailgating and...

Identity Theft Awareness Week

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, January 30, 2023

January 30 to February 3, 2023, is Identity Theft Awareness Week. Anytime is a good time to tighten up your identity security, but if you haven’t been as careful as you intended, consider this your annual reminder. Here are a few...

Inflation Is Trending Lower. Now What?

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, January 23, 2023

The December inflation report had some encouraging news. It showed that consumer prices trended lower for the month, but more importantly, it confirmed that overall prices have been trending lower for the past six months.Now the ball...

SECURE Act 2.0: An Overview

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Tuesday, January 17, 2023

In the final days of 2022, Congress passed a new set of retirement rules designed to make it easier to contribute to retirement plans and access those funds earmarked for retirement.The law is called SECURE 2.0, and it's a follow-up to...

SECURE Act 2.0 Passed in Final Days of 2022

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, January 9, 2023

The SECURE 2.0 Act - Key Provisions by PrudentialCongress spent the final days of 2022 on new reforms designed to help Americans save more for retirement.You may hear the changes called SECURE Act 2.0, which is a follow-up to the...

Discussing Finances Over the Holidays

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, December 12, 2022

The holiday season is upon us; from story time with sorely missed grandchildren to laughter with friends and family over long-cherished memories, there's little doubt that "the most wonderful time of the year" has arrived.For my family...

Remembering Pearl Harbor

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Wednesday, December 7, 2022

In Hawaii, amid the verdant natural beauty and warm, welcoming waters, there stands a monument. The Pearl Harbor National Memorial marks the destruction of the USS Arizona, the final resting place of 1,102 soldiers who lost their lives...

Remembering Pearl Harbor

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Wednesday, December 7, 2022

In Hawaii, amid the verdant natural beauty and warm, welcoming waters, there stands a monument. The Pearl Harbor National Memorial marks the destruction of the USS Arizona, the final resting place of 1,102 soldiers who lost their lives...

Remembering Pearl Harbor

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Wednesday, December 7, 2022

In Hawaii, amid the verdant natural beauty and warm, welcoming waters, there stands a monument. The Pearl Harbor National Memorial marks the destruction of the USS Arizona, the final resting place of 1,102 soldiers who lost their lives...

Warren Buffett on Contrarian Investing

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, November 7, 2022

You may have heard the phrase “contrarian investing,” but did you know that one of the most reliable contrary indicators is individual investors?Retail investors often do the wrong thing at the wrong time. But this year,...

New Retirement Contribution Limits for 2023

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, October 31, 2022

The Internal Revenue Service has released new limits for the coming year. After months of high inflation and financial uncertainty, some of these cost-of-living-based adjustments have reached near-record levels.Individual Retirement...

JOLTS of Optimism for the Markets?

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, October 17, 2022

We measure the jobs market in many ways, but the Job Opening and Labor Turnover Survey or JOLTS report seems to be of particular interest to Fed Chair Jerome Powell.The JOLTS report tells the Fed how many job openings there are each...

JOLTS of Optimism for the Markets?

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, October 17, 2022

We measure the jobs market in many ways, but the Job Opening and Labor Turnover Survey or JOLTS report seems to be of particular interest to Fed Chair Jerome Powell.The JOLTS report tells the Fed how many job openings there are each...

Considerations During Medicare’s Open Enrollment

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, October 3, 2022

How long has it been since you’ve reviewed your Medicare policy? With open enrollment fast approaching, there are a few questions you may want to ask yourself before you renew, add, drop, or switch coverage.Have you switched...

Considerations During Medicare’s Open Enrollment

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, October 3, 2022

How long has it been since you’ve reviewed your Medicare policy? With open enrollment fast approaching, there are a few questions you may want to ask yourself before you renew, add, drop, or switch coverage.Have you switched...

Ready for Medicare Open Enrollment?

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, October 3, 2022

Medicare’s annual open enrollment period begins October 15 and ends December 7. During this time, current Medicare beneficiaries have the option to adjust their coverage for the coming year. Any changes to your plan will go into...

Ready for Medicare Open Enrollment?

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, October 3, 2022

Medicare’s annual open enrollment period begins October 15 and ends December 7. During this time, current Medicare beneficiaries have the option to adjust their coverage for the coming year. Any changes to your plan will go into...

Considerations During Medicare’s Open Enrollment

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, October 3, 2022

How long has it been since you’ve reviewed your Medicare policy? With open enrollment fast approaching, there are a few questions you may want to ask yourself before you renew, add, drop, or switch coverage.Have you switched...

Ready for Medicare Open Enrollment?

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, September 26, 2022

Medicare’s annual open enrollment period begins October 15 and ends December 7. During this time, current Medicare beneficiaries have the option to adjust their coverage for the coming year. Any changes to your plan will go into...

Life Doesn't Stand Still

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, September 26, 2022

September is Life Insurance Awareness Month. If you haven’t reviewed your insurance profile in a while, you may be surprised that what made sense in the past no longer fits your life.Here are some ways to quickly evaluate your...

Life Doesn't Stand Still

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, September 19, 2022

September is Life Insurance Awareness Month. If you haven’t reviewed your insurance profile in a while, you may be surprised that what made sense in the past no longer fits your life.Here are some ways to quickly evaluate your...

"Unretiring" To Stay in the Game

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Tuesday, September 13, 2022

Knowing when it’s the right time to retire can be difficult, especially if you love your job. Even professional athletes have a hard time knowing when to walk away!These athletes thought they were ready for retirement but...

Important Details on Student Loan Relief

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Tuesday, September 6, 2022

The White House recently forgave up to $10,000 to student loan borrowers as part of a larger debt forgiveness program. There are still quite a few questions to be answered, but here are some key points to know.Pell vs. non-Pell: Loan...

Recession or Growth Scare? Your Guide

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, August 29, 2022

I’m hearing a lot of mixed messages these days about the economy. Some headlines say we’re already in a recession; some say one is looming. Others hint that we’ll avoid a recession and have a soft landing. It makes...

Let's Review Your Life

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, August 22, 2022

Life doesn’t stand still. Neither do your life insurance needs.If you have a quote or policy and haven’t reviewed it lately, you may be surprised to discover that what worked for you then may not not meet your needs now...

The Fed's Inflation Nowcasting Tool

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, August 15, 2022

Does waiting 30 days for a government report seem a bit unreasonable? After all, we live in a world of instant messages and real-time quotes. Why should we wait a whole month between updates on the Consumer Price Index to see what's...

How SECURE 2.0 Might Change Retirement

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, July 18, 2022

The SECURE Act of 2019 represented the biggest update to retirement law in over a decade. Now, Congress is deliberating on what “SECURE 2.0” legislation might entail.In March, the House passed the Securing a Strong...

3 Tips for the Second Half of 2022

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, July 11, 2022

With half the year behind us, now is a great time to consider what the remainder of 2022 may hold. However, with inflation and economic uncertainty causing many of us to delay or cancel vacations, large purchases, and more, it can be...

How to Keep Your Identity Safe

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Tuesday, July 5, 2022

In case you didn’t know, June is National Internet Safety Month. With nearly 4 billion people on social media worldwide, plus the risks of using online brokerage and bank accounts, the need for digital security has never been...

Summertime Checkup

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, June 27, 2022

Summer’s here, and the time is right for vacations, outdoor activities, and fun. It’s also a good time to consider a few financial matters. Here are some questions to ask yourself mid-year.Goals still the same for 2022? Has...

Building Your Wealth with a Roth IRA

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, June 20, 2022

As you are building your wealth and saving for retirement, a Roth IRA could be a tax-advantaged solution for you to invest your money and boost your retirement savings.Money that goes into a Roth IRA is after-tax dollars. Because...

Financial Watch | June 2022

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, June 13, 2022

How to Replace Financial Anxiety with ConfidenceResearchers at the Global Financial Literacy Excellence Center at George Washington University and the FINRA Investor Education Foundation found that 60% of study participants feel...

Care for a COLA with Your Social Security?

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, June 6, 2022

As you might have heard, people are talking about a big bump in Social Security benefits next year.The Senior Citizens League says payments could rise by as much as 8.6 percent in 2023, compared to an increase of 5.9 percent in 2022....

Service Industry Eagerly Awaits Summer Vacations

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Tuesday, May 31, 2022

In their latest commentary, the Cetera Investment Management Team discusses how the primary services and travel-related industries may benefit from Americans ready to summer vacation. CLICK TO READ As always, please reach out to the...

Powell News Kicks Off Volatile Season?

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, November 29, 2021

The holiday season is often a quiet, positive time for the financial markets. The phrase “Santa Claus Rally” was coined in the early 1970s to reflect the stock market’s upward bias during the November-January stretch...

Is Inflation Peaking?

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, November 22, 2021

You see it in prices at the grocery store and the gas station. You feel it in your monthly budget. So why don’t the financial markets seem too concerned about inflation?Remember, financial markets are considered...

When Bad News Is Good News

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, November 15, 2021

Financial markets can be challenging to understand. But when markets enter a “bad news is good news” cycle, it becomes even more difficult to follow along.At its November meeting, the Fed outlined its plan to taper monthly...

Social Security Benefits May Be Cut By 2034

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, October 25, 2021

The economic impact of COVID-19 has been felt from coast to coast. And, unfortunately for many pre-retirees, it could potentially impact Social Security benefits as well.A new report indicates that if Congress doesn’t take...

Economic Lessons from Used-Car Inflation

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, October 18, 2021

Inflation is defined as the general upward price movement of goods and services in an economy. The key word is “general.” Inflation tends to be uneven and affects the price of some items more than others.If you’ve...

October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, October 11, 2021

October brings to mind the beauty of the leaves changing colors and a time to enjoy the colder weather. But October also holds another meaning for millions of people: it’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month.Based on the numbers,...

Considerations During Medicare’s Open Enrollment

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, October 4, 2021

How long has it been since you’ve reviewed your Medicare policy? With open enrollment fast approaching, there are a few questions you may want to ask yourself before you renew, add, drop, or switch coverage.Have you switched...

The Underutilized Benefits of a Health Savings Account

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Tuesday, September 21, 2021

Healthcare can be one of the priciest yet essential parts of life’s journey. And yet, many struggle to utilize the financial tools that may help. Take Health Saving Accounts (HSAs), for example.In 2019, 55% of those with HSAs...

Patriot Day 2021

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Saturday, September 11, 2021

On this 20th anniversary of the tragedies of September 11th, 2001, many of us will be remembering the day with prayers, observance, and acts of service.This day is designated Patriot Day. It’s come to mean joining together to...

September Is National Life Insurance Awareness Month

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Wednesday, September 1, 2021

It’s time for your life insurance checkup.September is National Life Insurance Awareness Month, so it’s a great time to review your coverage.1If you don’t have any life insurance, you’re not alone. Life...

Mixed Signals on Inflation

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Monday, August 30, 2021

Are you having a tough time keeping track of inflation's mixed signals? You’re not alone.Consumer prices in July climbed at their fastest rate since August 2008. Worse, producer prices, which can be an indicator of future price...

A Roaring Start to Earnings Season

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Tuesday, August 3, 2021

Corporate earnings season has begun, and the results are turning heads on Wall Street.Of the 120 companies in the S&P 500 index that reported numbers as of Friday, July 23, 89% of them beat the Street’s earnings-per-share...

A 6.1% Bump in Social Security?

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Thursday, July 22, 2021

The news keeps getting better for Social Security recipients.It's now projected that benefits will increase 6.1% in 2022, up from the 4.7% forecast just two months ago. That would be the most significant increase since 1983.1...

The Fed Acknowledges Inflation

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Thursday, July 1, 2021

At its June meeting, the Federal Reserve confirmed what many of us have suspected for some time: prices are rising. In fact, prices are climbing faster than many expected. In response, the Fed raised its inflation expectation to 3.4%,...

I.R.S. Delays Tax Filing, Payment Deadlines

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CKA®, CRPS®

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Less than one month ahead of the traditional date, the I.R.S. has delayed the deadline for filing and paying taxes. The new deadline is May 17, 2021.1,2,3The delay follows continued disruption from the COVID-19 pandemic and a late...

The Week on Wall Street Shrugging off COVID-19 infections and the disruption at the Capitol on January 6, stocks powered higher to kick off a new year of trading.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.61%, while the Standard &...

January 4, 2021 - The Year in Review

Chris Holcomb, CFP®, CRPS®, CKA®

Monday, January 4, 2021

The Week on Wall Street Stocks moved higher during a holiday-shortened week of trading, capping off a turbulent, but otherwise strong year for equity investors. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.35%, while the Standard &...

The Week on Wall Street Stocks climbed higher amid the COVID-19 vaccine rollout and an improving outlook for a fiscal stimulus bill.The Dow Jones Industrial Average, which has lagged all year, gained 0.44%. The Standard & Poor’s 500...

The Week on Wall Street Stocks retreated last week on rising COVID-19 infections and slow progress on an economic relief bill. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 0.57%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 dropped 0.96%. The Nasdaq...

The Week on Wall Street Stocks marched higher last week on an improving outlook for the passage of a fiscal stimulus package. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.03%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 tacked on 1.67%. The Nasdaq...

The Week on Wall Street Stocks surged last week, ignited by another COVID-19 vaccine announcement, encouraging economic data, and the easing of political uncertainty.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.21%, while the Standard &...

The Week on Wall StreetDespite news of another COVID-19 vaccine candidate, stocks were mixed amid investor anxiety over an increase in new infections and economic lockdowns.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.73%, while the...

The Week on Wall Street News of a COVID-19 vaccine ignited a rally in economically sensitive stocks and a broad retreat in technology companies last week, though enthusiasm was tempered by reports of rising new infections and fresh...

The Week on Wall Street Stocks soared last week as investors anticipated that a split Congress would raise legislative hurdles to changing corporate taxes and adjusting regulatory oversight of big technology companies.The Dow Jones...

The Week on Wall Street Stock prices dropped last week as hopes for a fiscal stimulus bill faded and investors focused on rising COVID-19 infections, here and abroad. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 6.47%, while the Standard &...