The James Webb telescope recently sent stunning pictures of our, or someone's, galaxy. They were the first photos viewable to the public, and according to Al Jazeera, "The dawn of a new era in astronomy." The telescope opens a new vista for professional and amateur astrologists alike. In addition to...
Stocks are getting crushed, and investors want to know when they will recover. The S&P 500 is down 20% so far as investors react to rising interest rates, inflation, and war in Ukraine. Since 2000, there have been five bear markets with an average decline of 36% and a duration of 192 days.[1] When...
Bonds are having a horrendous year, down double-digits as interest rates continue to climb. The onslaught could continue as the Federal Reserve battles inflation because one of the only tools they have left is to raise interest rates.
Rising interest rates are both good and bad. During COVID...
The stock market continues to swing violently. Despite last week's surge, the S&P 500 is still down 18% for the year, and investors remain nervous. The US Index of Consumer Sentiment recently touched 50, a 72-year low. What should you do?
Investors sell stocks and park their money in a money...
My wife is an extraordinary shopper. She can hunt bargains with the best of them, whether at a grocery or clothing store. If there is a discount to be found, she'll find it. She is also patient and willing to buy straw hats in the winter.
An ideal time to buy stocks is when they are on sale...
FRAM oil filter ran a series of commercials in the 1970s and 1980s with the tag line, "Pay me now, or pay me later." The message was clear. You could spend a few dollars today to change your oil filter or put it off and pay thousands to repair your engine. Small actions today can have significant...
Dave Ramsey takes a lot of heat from financial professionals, but his seven steps have helped millions of people pursue a better life. I don't agree with his entire philosophy, but establishing an emergency fund, paying off debt, and saving for retirement are tenants that make sound financial sense...
Stock and bonds are falling as investors react to rising interest rates and inflation, and most balanced portfolios are down significantly. Vanguard's Balanced Index Fund is 60% stocks and 40% bonds and has fallen 14%. Is there a silver lining to lower account values? I think so, especially if you...
Estate planning is complex. To complicate matters, few people like to talk about their mortality, but it's necessary. Creating a will or trust is paramount to ensuring your family honors your wishes, and a well-structured plan can potentially avoid conflicts between heirs. Most people account for...
The gear heads at my high school loved to pop the hoods of their muscle cars and gawk over the engines. Most were pristine on the outside but lousy on the inside; it was impossible to tell until the hood was agape. Likewise, it's similar to investment models – on the outside, they all look the same...
Matt Damon is stranded on Mars in the hit movie The Martian. He must use several tactics to survive and regain contact with his crew back on Earth if he wants to live.
After much thought, you join Mr. Damon on his trip to Mars. For this story, your mission trip left Earth on January 1, 1990...
What a crazy week! Last week I was at Wind River Ranch in Colorado with a few mighty men from my church, helping the ranch hands prepare for the summer season. Shortly, the ranch will welcome hundreds of horses and thousands of guests. We shoveled snow, oiled saddles, dug holes, mended fences, moved...