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Going into the pandemic in March 2020, many investors (rightfully) questioned whether our national economy would be able to recover. As humans, we are designed with a fight or flight instinct that has preserved our species for thousands of years of recorded history. When it comes to investing, resisting this natural survival instinct is paramount to being successful over the long term.
Click here to get back to the basics of asset allocation and the types of places you can invest your money.
As I write this, we are just a few days from the inauguration of President Biden and ushering forth the Biden-Harris administration. To say that the past two months have been interesting, politically, would be an understatement.
Click here to learn how to think about Black Swan events in the market.
When an event occurs that no one could have predicted nor saw coming that ends up having a significantly negative effect on the stock market, it is often referred to as a “Black Swan Event.” Such events almost always cause massive damage and leave the average investor in a state of fear and panic.
Click here to learn how to think about Black Swan events in the market.
The year 2020 is coming to an end – a year of forced change, unwanted adjustments and re-learning many different aspects of our lives. Americans know how to work hard and we also know how to play hard. In fact, one of the most difficult aspects of the global pandemic has been our inability to do whatever we can afford to do, whenever we want to do it.
Click here to learn how to make 2021 THE year for retirement savings!
As I write this in mid-October, I am very hopeful that we have had a successful election, and that a peaceful transition of power has been able to take place in Washington. Unfortunately, I put those odds at a slightly less than 50% chance. The results of the election have permeated the thought processes and have been a motivating source of frustration for many investors throughout the second half of 2020. I am writing this article to encourage you – that the markets, although volatile, can handle whomever is elected President of the United States.
Click here to learn more about post-election investing decisions!
Although over 36 million people lost their jobs due to the forced shutdown of America during the COVID-19 crisis, I believe that approximately a third of those jobs have come back. Please don’t listen to politicians who say that we are in the greatest job creation period of our lifetimes – that statement is quite laughable. At best, we are in the greatest job recovery period. The truth of the matter is that we are in a time of complete and utter chaos and fear-mongering.
Click here to learn more about how to manage your taxes!
As we continue to press forward into what I have branded as “the year of uncertainty,” we continue to navigate markets in an environment of extremely high volatility. The volatility index, often referred to as the VIX, or the “fear index” is currently trading at around 30. During normal economic environments, when not dealing with a global health crisis, nationwide shutdowns of certain industries and weird executive orders being implemented on a unilateral basis, the VIX is perfectly happy trading around the 10-12 area. What this indicates is how much investors are willing to pay for protection of their portfolio. Which will it be, red or blue? Read more here in this month’s My City Article.
Unfortunately, the last four months have brought quite a bit of turmoil. U.S. unemployment numbers were at a historic, record low of below 4% for 23 consistent months, only to be destroyed by a nationwide stay-at-home order that decimated our workforce. It is estimated that over 36 million people lost their jobs between the end of March and the beginning of June, and our unemployment rate is the worst since the Great Depression.* In fact, the currently horrible economic numbers can only be compared to those experienced during the 1930s. Go here to read more!
I encourage you to not act out of fear, but from a spirit of strength. America will survive COVID-19 and we will be united, and stronger than ever. I will pray for all MCM readers, and look forward to seeing you at the huge party we will have when this is over. Read Joel LaGore’s full article here.
As most of us were welcoming family and friends to town for the holiday season, on December 19, 2020, Congress strongly passed on a bi-partisan effort: the SECURE Act of 2019. SECURE stands for Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement. There have been some major changes here for people already in retirement and for those planning on passing some of their retirement assets to the next generation. Read more of what this entails on this month’s My City Magazine Article here.
The SECURE Act of 2019: Significant Adjustments to Retirement and Estate PlanningRead More
