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A Roaring Start to Earnings Season
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...
Read MoreA 6.1% Bump in Social Security?
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...
Read MoreInflation Can Be a Scary Word
Inflation can be a scary word for people who are retired. It’s code for “prices are going up, but my income may stay the same.”The most recent reading on consumer prices put inflation back into the conversation. The...
Read MoreInflation & the Real Rate of Return
The real rate of return is an important personal finance concept to understand.It’s the rate of return on your investments after inflation. The real rate of return indicates whether you are gaining or losing purchasing power...
Read MoreThe Fed Acknowledges Inflation
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%,...
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Summer Travel is Back!
One of the most anticipated comebacks of 2021 isn’t an athlete, rock star, or movie franchise. It’s summer travel, and it appears to be back with a vengeance.Travel agents are working 14-hour days to meet the needs of...
Read MoreSplit Annuity Strategy
When financial markets turn volatile, some investors show their frustration by fleeing the markets in search of alternatives that are designed to offer stability. For example, in the first quarter of 2018, investors pulled $63 billion...
Read MoreImportant Birthdays Over 50
Most children stop being “and-a-half” somewhere around age 12. Kids add “and-a-half“ to make sure everyone knows they’re closer to the next age than the last. When you are older, “and-a-half”...
Read MoreThe Economic Journey of Your Morning Coffee
The Economic Journey of Your Morning Coffee If you’re like 62% of Americans, you started your day with a cup of coffee. Few, if any, took a moment during this morning ritual to contemplate or marvel at the complex journey that...
Read MoreYour Changing Definition of Risk in Retirement
During your accumulation years, you may have categorized your risk as “conservative,” “moderate,” or “aggressive” and that guided how your portfolio was built. Maybe you concerned yourself with...
Read MoreWhat to Look for in Personal Finance Apps
Mobile applications have become ubiquitous. While many of these apps are games and social media platforms, an increasing number have been developed to help individuals with their personal finances. Which leads to an interesting...
Read MoreThe Whims of Wall Street
It can be exhausting trying to keep up with the whims of Wall Street. Lately, the financial markets have been fixated on federal taxes and what may be proposed on Capitol Hill in the weeks and months ahead. Wall Street’s focus...
Read MoreVolatility Tests Your Mettle
Most people understand that stock prices don't go straight up. But when market volatility increases, the price action can test the mettle of even the most seasoned investor. In recent weeks, stock prices have trended lower with a few...
Read MoreWebinar Library
Today on the Blog - introducing the Paladin Webinar Library. Since the pandemic began, Paladin financial advisors have made access to financial education a priority. Throughout the last year, we've hosted 19 live webinar events. The...
Read MoreCaring for Aging Parents
Thanks to healthier lifestyles and advances in modern medicine, the worldwide population over age 60 is growing. The United Nations estimates that by 2050 the number of people aged 60 and older will have more than doubled.¹ As our...
Read MoreA quick look at the basics.
April is Financial Literacy Month. At Paladin Advisor Group, our mission is to help clients Champion Your Financial Life through understanding investment strategies, financial goals for day-to-day life and empowering the next...
Read MoreIt's time to take control of your debt.
April is Financial Literacy Month. At Paladin Advisor Group, our mission is to help clients Champion Your Financial Life through understanding investment strategies, financial goals for day-to-day life and empowering the next...
Read MoreLet's talk S.M.A.R.T. strategy.
April is Financial Literacy Month. At Paladin Advisor Group, our mission is to help clients Champion Your Financial Life through understanding investment strategies, financial goals for day-to-day life and empowering the next...
Read MoreTax Tips for this year & next.
April is Financial Literacy Month. At Paladin Advisor Group, our mission is to help clients Champion Your Financial Life through understanding investment strategies, financial goals for day-to-day life and empowering the next...
Read MoreSocial Security with Mike Whaley
Want to maximize your Social Security benefit? Let us help you! Book a complimentary Social Security analysis here.
Read MoreSPACs Take Center Stage
The acronym “SPAC” is showing up more often these days because there is some big money behind the revitalized investment approach.SPAC stands for Special Purpose Acquisition Company, and they are sometimes referred to as...
Read MoreSpotlight Shifts to Bonds
One time-tested principle of investing is, "when bond yields move higher, bond prices tend to move lower." Investors are doing a "double take" on the 10-year Treasury yield, which recently topped 1.5% — its highest level in...
Read MoreEconomic Predictions: What Lies Ahead?
It can be easy to overlook the nation’s solid economic fundamentals when the financial media splashes stories every day about an army of amateur traders, short-selling mania, and initial public offerings (IPOs) that double in...
Read MoreFamily Business | Women Who Invest
Why is it that women tend to let the husband “run the financial things” of their lives? Over the years, I have noticed this occurring with great regularity; and when my single female clients...
Read MoreHow the Internet Gamed Wall Street’s Short Sellers
You may have heard the news about stocks for certain companies suddenly ballooning, quickly going from lunch money prices to several hundred dollars a share. In one case, the shares rose over 1700% since December 2020.1 So, what...
Read MoreMaryland State Pension Webinar | What To Expect
Paladin Advisor Group is hosting a Maryland State Pension webinar next Tuesday, February 9 at 4:00pm. During the webinar, you'll learn about the retirement system you're part of based on your hiring year, a calculation to determine how...
Read MoreTax Filing Season Is a Little Later This Year
Recently, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that tax season will start a little later than usual. This year the IRS will begin accepting and processing 2020 tax returns on Friday, February 12, 2021.1In light of the December...
Read MorePersonal Savings Rate
The personal savings rate in the United States, which is the amount of income left after taxes and household spending, has reached some significant milestones.In April, when much of the country stayed home to avoid the COVID-19...
Read More5 Highlights of the New Stimulus Package
After a bit of political posturing in December, the $900 billion Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (2021 CAA) was signed into law by President Trump as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact employers and employees...
Read More5 Highlights of the New Stimulus Package
After a bit of political posturing in December, the $900 billion Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (2021 CAA) was signed into law by President Trump as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact employers and employees....
Read MoreHoliday Savings Tip #7
Re-Think Your Gifting by consolidating the amount you have to buy! Plan a get together for your friends via Zoom - even after the holiday season is over. This season is unlike any other, so make sure you prioritize time with your loved...
Read MoreHoliday Savings Tip #6
Think Personal & Practical. Handmade gifts and personal, practical presents can be both low-budget and thoughtful. Think: homemade candles and ornaments, the expensive shampoo your mom is reluctant to buy herself or the BBQ sauce your...
Read MoreHoliday Savings Tip #5
Holiday Savings Tip #5: Redeem your rewards points. Cash in everything from credit card use to airline travels and put the cash toward this year's gift shopping. Make sure you include the extra cash in your budget as an added source of...
Read MoreHoliday Savings Tip #4
Do you know you can buy gift cards at a discounted price? Don't worry - we had to see it before we believed it too! Check it out for yourself. Websites like Cardpool and Raise are selling gift cards at less than face value. Holiday...
Read MoreHoliday Savings Tip #3
Download price comparison apps to look up products you want to buy and find out where to buy it at the cheapest price. Tips like this and more from Paladin Advisor Group, your local PlanMember Financial Center on our blog.
Read MoreChristmas 2020 Gift Guides
Make your list & check it twice! Christmas is coming and part of the struggle of saving during the holidays is finding the right gifts and only buying those. Here's a few of our favorite gift guides this year: The Gift Guide if You're...
Read MoreHoliday Savings Tip #1
With Thanksgiving behind us, it's time to get into the holiday spirit! Introducing Holiday Savings Tips from Paladin Advisor Group, your local PlanMember Financial Center. Throughout the month of December, we'll be sharing practical...
Read More2021 Limits for IRAs, 401(k)s and More
On October 26, the Treasury Department released the 2021 adjusted figures for retirement account savings. Although these adjustments won’t bring any major changes, there are some minor elements to note. 401(k)sThe salary...
Read MoreFacts About Medicare Open Enrollment
Medicare’s open enrollment period runs from October 15 to December 7. If you are enrolling in Medicare for the first time, give yourself plenty of time. You may discover that it is much more complex than an employer-sponsored...
Read MoreOuch! September’s Market Correction Hurt
In theory, investors understand that stock market corrections are part of the investing process. But experiencing a setback—like the one we’ve witnessed in the past four weeks—can raise a lot of shoulda, woulda,...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Stocks React to Jobs Report
Schedule a digital meeting on our calendar. We look forward to hearing from you. Stocks slipped in the final days of trading last week on higher jobless claims and rising tensions in the U.S.-China relationship. The Dow Jones...
Read MoreCARES Act Modification Allows More Retirement Savings Access
Americans who have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic may now be able to access retirement accounts to help cover daily expenses, penalty-free. Now, in addition to those who have lost their jobs during the COVID-19...
Read MoreIs Medicare right for you?
No matter what your age, you probably have big plans for the future. Luckily, worrying about health care doesn’t have to get in the way of those plans. U.S. citizens aged 65 or older are eligible for Medicare Part A and Part B...
Read MoreWebinar Wednesday - The Maryland State Pension
The Maryland State Pension - What's in it for me? Welcome to another Webinar Wednesday! Today we will focus on the Maryland State Pension. Especially if you're an educator employed by a school district in Maryland, the Maryland State...
Read MoreMarket behavior and the economy
As states cautiously begin the process of relaxing their COVID-19 restrictions, some are wondering, “Why is the stock market doing so well when the economy is doing so poorly?”It’s a great question, and fortunately,...
Read MoreWebinar Wednesday - Social Security Part 3
It's another Webinar Wednesday!
Read MoreHave You Enrolled in Medicare Part D or a Medicare Advantage Plan?
Have you enrolled in Medicare, or are you considering it? If so, you should know that anyone who receives Medicare is eligible to receive Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage.However, if you don’t enroll for that coverage...
Read MoreLet's Talk About Extended Care
In your retirement strategy, you’ve likely put a good deal of thought into putting away enough money to enjoy your life, once you’ve put the daily grind in the rearview mirror. Like many, you’ve probably planned for...
Read MorePro tip: apply for Medicare early.
If you’re like most of us, you’ve probably been thinking about your health quite a bit lately — especially if you’re approaching retirement. Trust me, I understand. Anticipating your future medical costs can...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Markets React to Positive Outlook
Upbeat comments by the Federal Reserve Chairman and more signs of an economic turnaround combined to help fuel a powerful rally in the stock market last week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 3.29%, while the Standard &...
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