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Back to Basics - Part 4

This week we are getting back to basics with money. I know you thought we were talking about that all along, but today we are digging into the basics of money and the purchasing power it possesses.What is Purchasing Power?Purchasing...

Back to Basics - Part 2

Last week, I promised to tell you some tried and true tools that will help you manage your emotions during tough times in the market. Not only will they help you feel less emotional during turbulent times, but they can also...

Back to Basics - Part 1

Well, folks, it’s time to come back from our summer vacation themes and return to reality. Don’t be alarmed, I promise I am not going to bombard you with doom and gloom scenarios and statistics to fog your brains. Instead,...

Backyard Summer Shenanigans - Part 4

For the final installment of Backyard Summer Shenanigans, we’re gonna get a little crazy, so break out the ice and buckets of beer - it's New Orleans-Style Babyback Beer Ribs and Twister time!

Backyard Summer Shenanigans - Part 3

Now, you may accuse me of being southern with this recipe, but it is definitely a fan favorite… Glazed Pork Belly With Ginger BBQ Sauce. And yes, there will be cornbread!

Backyard Summer Shenanigans - Part 2

OK, now that you have worked off those ribs from last week, let’s get the smoker out! This week’s recipe is a Grover family favorite…Texas Style Brisket, hope you’re hungry!

Backyard Summer Shenanigans - Part 1

In keeping with last month's summer-centric theme, I’ve decided to keep the summer vibes going with some of my favorite grilling recipes paired with some of the awesome games played in the Grover backyard. I hope this inspires...

2023 Summer Travel Tips - Part 4

No travel tips blog would be complete without a discussion of cruises, but narrowing down what to talk about was a bit difficult because there are so many moving parts to cruising. That being said, I’ve decided to focus on...

2023 Summer Travel Tips - Part 3

I hope the blogs this month have got you in a positive mood and have taken your mind off the nonsense we’ve been dealing with lately! This week we will discuss the best ways to do road trips! Now, as many of you know, the Grover...

2023 Summer Travel Tips - Part 1

I think it’s time for a vacation, don’t you? With all the stress and confusion in the world, I decided to give us a break from financial discussions this month and instead prepare us for the summer travel season with expert...

2023 Summer Travel Tips - Part 2

Welcome back! For most trips, airfare is the most expensive part of the trip, and finding a cheap flight deal can be what makes or breaks your trip. This week, I’ll share some of the best tips on finding cost-effective...

Finding Safety in a Dangerous Investing World - Part 4

Last week, we talked a lot about bear markets and dividends. This week, I want to close out our May series by talking about the silver linings of a bear market. Like we said last week, the S&P 500 was in bear market territory, down...

Finding Safety in a Dangerous Investing World - Part 3

In today’s installment of our May Edu-Blogs, I want to talk to you about the importance of dividends. In 2022, the Standard & Poor's 500-Stock Index experienced a major bear market, declining around 25% from January to October,...

Finding Safety in a Dangerous Investing World - Part 2

Last week, I talked about the dangerous investing world we are currently in and some of the reasons we find ourselves navigating this landscape right now. I have always believed, and continue to do so, that long-term shareholder...

Finding Safety in a Dangerous Investing World - Part 1

Over the last year, it is easy to see how global political and economic instability has settled in and begun to make the world feel like a dangerous place. In this month’s edu-blog series, we will look at what has contributed to...

Inflation Explained: What You Need To Know & What You Can Do About It - Part 4

Protecting Your Budget from Inflation: Cutting CostsWell, folks, we made it to our fourth and final installment of this month’s series on inflation. Today, I’ll touch on ways you can cut costs to maximize the longevity of...

Inflation Explained: What You Need To Know & What You Can Do About It - Part 3

Protecting Your Finances from Inflation: SavingIn part 3 of this month’s blog series on inflation, we will talk about the effect inflation can have on your savings and strategies to help reduce that impact. As we said in week 1,...

Inflation Explained: What You Need To Know & What You Can Do About It - Part 2

Protecting Your Finances from Inflation: InvestingWelcome back! This week, we are going to begin our discussion on protecting your finances from inflation. One way to do that is to invest in assets that are likely to increase in value...

Inflation Explained: What You Need To Know & What You Can Do About It - Part 1

In this month’s blog series, I’ll talk about what inflation is, how it is caused, and how it affects our finances and budgets. I’ll also provide some actionable ideas on protecting yourself and your finances against inflation.

Are You Recession Proof?

Well, folks, we made it to the last installment of a difficult topic - recession-proofing your finances. This week we will wrap our discussion up with a chat about being honest about your risk tolerance and keeping your credit score...

Are You Recession Proof?

Welcome back, folks! This week, we are going to talk about two more ways to recession-proof your finances by creating multiple income streams and reinforcing your long-term approach to investing. Creating Multiple Income Streams Even if...

Are You Recession Proof?

Here we are again, and it’s time to talk about how to recession-proof your finances with some action steps you can take right away. This week we will talk about creating and maintaining an emergency fund and living within your...

Are You Recession Proof?

The “R-Word” seems to be getting an awful lot of air-time these days. From the debt ceiling discussions to inflation to jobs reports, it’s on the tip of everyone’s tongue, especially the media. Here’s...

Deja Vu: The SECURE Act 2.0 - Part 4

This week, we will wrap up our exercise in unpacking the components of the SECURE Act 2.0 by looking at some incentives for small business owners and college savers. Let’s start with college savings and loan payoffs.Student Loan...

Deja Vu: The SECURE Act 2.0 - Part 3

Welcome back! As promised, this week, we will take a look at the provisions in the SECURE Act 2.0 that affect employers. And, while you may own a business and think some of this doesn’t apply to you, think again because if you...

Deja Vu: The SECURE Act 2.0 - Part 2

Last week, we recapped the first SECURE Act and looked at the highlights from SECURE 2.0. As I said, both pieces of legislation increase opportunities to strengthen the retirement system—and Americans' financial readiness for...

Deja Vu: The SECURE Act 2.0 - Part 1

It seems like every time you turn around, there are a new set of rules you need to remember for some part of your life. From health care to taxes to retirement, there are so many rules it can make dismantling a bomb sound easy. Should...

The Power of Doing Nothing OR Everything Old is New Again - Part 4

Well, folks, we’ve done it, we’ve reached the fourth week of our visit to long-term investing land, and with that, I will share with you the final four keys to long-term investing resilience. So let’s begin. 7....

The Power of Doing Nothing OR Everything Old is New Again - Part 3

Last week, we embarked on a discussion of the first three of what I’m calling the Gover Top 10 Principles of Long-Term Investing OR The Keys to Investing Resilience. This week we will look at three additional keys, and by the...

The Power of Doing Nothing OR Everything Old is New Again - Part 2

Last week, I talked about the importance of taking a long view when it comes to investing. This is probably the most fundamental component of my, and many others, investment philosophies. There are reasons that long-term investors are...

The Power of Doing Nothing OR Everything Old is New Again - Part 1

My oldest son is an animator with a deep appreciation for the nostalgia and wisdom of classic cartoons. His sense of humor, as well as his animation style, harken back to the days of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Mr. Peabody and Sherman. As...

Estate Plans, Wills & Why They Are Necessary - Part 4

Well, folks, we’ve made it to the final week of our discussion on wills and estate planning, and I think we should go out with a bang. That means that today I am going to answer the big scary will and estate planning...

Estate Plans, Wills & Why They Are Necessary - Part 3

Ok, welcome back! Last week we talked about the scary things that face your family if you don’t have a will or estate plan or if they are out of date. This week we are going to get into the basics of a good estate plan and the...

Estate Plans, Wills & Why They Are Necessary - Part 2

If last week’s discussion of the myths that surround wills and estate planning weren’t cheery enough for you, today’s discussion of worst-case scenarios will probably fill the void!Now that I’ve dispelled some...

Estate Plans, Wills & Why They Are Necessary - Part 1

As I said at the beginning of last month’s blogs on life insurance, I recently got a text from a client, friend, and blog reader that urged me to do a blog series on preparing for death. My friend felt there was an urgency in the...

Life Insurance and Why it's Necessary - Part 4

Welcome back, I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday! Now that we have a good solid understanding of the importance of life insurance to end-of-life planning and how to go about getting the right policy with the right...

Life Insurance and Why it's Necessary - Part 3

Last week we spoke about some of the benefits of having life insurance and who needs it. This week we are going to talk about the application process and how to determine exactly how much life insurance you need for your specific...

Life Insurance and Why it's Necessary - Part 2

Last week, we began our discussion of life insurance by building an understanding of what goes into a life insurance policy and the different types of insurance there are. This week we are going to start making our discussion a bit...

Life Insurance and Why it's Necessary - Part 1

I recently got a text from a client, friend, and blog reader that urged me to do a blog series on preparing for death. My friend felt there was an urgency in the need for education of older and younger folks alike on wills and life...

Preparing for What Can Go Wrong, Investing in What Can Go Right - Part 2 - Blog 4

Here we are, folks, at our final week of preparing for the worst and positioning for the best, and this week we are going to talk about the stepped-up basis loophole! Huh? If you immediately thought, “oh, here comes the IRS...

Preparing for What Can Go Wrong, Investing in What Can Go Right - Part 2 - Blog 3

Now that you have some tools to prepare you for maximizing your Social Security benefits and some knowledge on navigating Medicare so that you use those benefits to the best of your advantage, it’s time to talk about covering...

Special Edition: Time for a Second Opinion

When the markets turn as volatile and confusing as they have over the last few weeks, even the mostpatient investors may come to question the wisdom of the investment plan they’ve been following.At Grover Financial Services,...

Preparing for What Can Go Wrong, Investing in What Can Go Right - Part 2 - Blog 2

Last week, we discussed the importance of being knowledgeable and prepared to make critical decisions about when and how to claim your Social Security Retirement Benefits. This week we are going to talk about Medicare, which is...

Preparing for What Can Go Wrong, Investing in What Can Go Right - Part 2 - Blog 1

Last month we began our two-part series on preparing for what can go wrong by looking at different ways to save for emergencies, handling unexpected illnesses, and covering our healthcare needs as we age. This month we will flip to the...

Preparing for What Can Go Wrong, Investing in What Can Go Right - Part 1 - Blog 4

As we round out this month’s Edu-Blogs, I would be remiss in discussing the ways you can prepare for the unexpected if we didn’t talk about long-term care and long-term care insurance.It’s a fact of life: Someday, you...

Preparing for What Can Go Wrong, Investing in What Can Go Right - Part 1 - Blog 3

Welcome back; I hope everyone is having a good September. Today I want to discuss preparing for the possibility of unexpected health issues or disabilities. If misfortune strikes, having a plan is incredibly important when it comes to...

Preparing for What Can Go Wrong, Investing in What Can Go Right - Part 1 - Blog 2

Last week I introduced our Edu-Blog topic for the next two months - preparing for what can go wrong and investing for what can go right. This week we are going to start jumping into the “what can go wrong” part of that...

Preparing for What Can Go Wrong, Investing in What Can Go Right - Part 1 - Blog 1

So, I am going to do something different again this month, and next month too, with these Edu-Blogs. This time, I am going to do a two-month blog topic series with a total of eight blogs. Why do that? Because this topic is truly that...

The National Financial Awareness Day Toolkit

The National Financial Awareness Day Toolkit BooksNapkin Finance by Tina HayThe Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J. StanleyWebsitesInvestopediaNerdWalletThe BalanceTips/Action StepsDefine...

The Financial Awareness Day Challenge - Part 4

As we round out this month’s Edu-blogs about tips and resources you can use to increase your financial awareness and celebrate “National Financial Awareness Day” every day, not just on August 14th, I want to share...

The Financial Awareness Day Challenge - Part 3

Welcome back; I hope everyone is having a good August. Today I want to discuss the direct relationship between financial awareness and financial freedom. I promise I am not veering off the subject because, after all, what is the point...

The Financial Awareness Day Challenge - Part 2

Here we are, week two of our financial awareness challenge, and I’m here with some resources that can help you create more financial awareness in your life. I’m a pretty visual guy and a native New Yorker, so I tend to...

The Financial Awareness Day Challenge - Part 1

Ever feel like there is a day to celebrate nearly every possible thing you could dream up? I did, and so out of shameless curiosity, I Googled “August 2022 Holidays and Celebrations”, and guess what I found? In addition to...

Déjà Vu All Over Again - Part 4

This week we are going to round out our discussion on good things to do during a bear market with a chat about diversification. Let's begin with some basic thoughts on diversification and then we will talk about how diversification helps...

Déjà Vu All Over Again - Part 3

Last week we started to talk about what you can do, as a long-term investor, to weather the bear, specifically the merits of avoiding panic and emotional responses. This week we are going to talk about two smart strategies you can...

Déjà Vu All Over Again - Part 2

Last week we talked about the bear market and how we got here. This week I want to look at what you can do, as a long-term investor, to weather a bear.What should investors do during a bear market?For many investors, seeing their...

Déjà Vu All Over Again - Part 1

The current market environment may have many of us remembering one of Yogi Berra's famous quotes, "It feels like déjà vu all over again." But make no mistake, the bear is back. A bear market, as you may recall, is a drop of...

Keep Calm and Carry On - Part 4

Keep Calm and Carry On - Part 3

Keep Calm and Carry On - Part 2

Keep Calm and Carry On - Part 1

We all know the phrase, “keep calm and carry on” and the numerous catchphrases that have evolved from it. We may even know a bit about the history behind the phrase, but either way, it boils down to - when you know what...

National Military Appreciation Month - Celebrating Heroes - Part 4

National Military Appreciation Month - Celebrating Heroes - Part 3

National Military Appreciation Month - Celebrating Heroes - Part 2

National Military Appreciation Month - Celebrating Heroes - Part 1

Invest Smarter: Principles & Practices Part 4

Invest Smarter: Principles & Practices Part 3

Invest Smarter: Principles & Practices Part 2

Invest Smarter: Principles & Practices Part 1

Relieving the Burden of College Savings - Part 5

Relieving the Burden of College Savings - Part 4

Relieving the Burden of College Savings - Part 3

Relieving the Burden of College Savings - Part 2

Relieving the Burden of College Savings - Part 1

The Silver Lining Playbook: Volatility – Part 4

The Silver Lining Playbook: Volatility – Part 3

The Silver Lining Playbook: Volatility – Part 2

The Silver Lining Playbook: Volatility – Part 1

Weather Report: Inflation Part 4

Inflation: Into the Past If a stock market prophet did exist (it does NOT), it would be the past. The past gives us a clearer picture of what’s to come by looking at what came before. Let’s talk about December 5th, 1996...

Weather Report: Inflation Part 3

Inflation: Why You Own Equities  It is no doubt that inflation is back, and it has been intimidating to many investors. Rather than run for the hills, I strongly encourage you to listen to the wise advice of financial advisors out...

Weather Report: Inflation Part 2

Welcome to the “New” Year, where we continue to talk about old issues. One of the most popular ole’ problems? Inflation. Inflation has been ringing in our ears for years now, but the tune seems to be getting louder by...

Weather Report: Inflation Part 1

Inflation is back, and it’s demanding our attention - again. As often as we try to cover our eyes and ears, the noise is not giving up. I want 2022 to be as peaceful as possible, which is why I will be spending the rest of this month going

Give the Gift of Care - A Charitable Challenge - Part 5

Welcome back! This week we will be drawing our attention to an organization dedicated to supporting survivors of domestic violence and abuse. The Willow Center offers a range of emergency and non-emergency supportive services for...

Give the Gift of Care - A Charitable Challenge - Part 4

Welcome back! I know I mentioned that each of the charities in this month's blog series has some significance to me and my family, but not all of them are ones that I have experienced firsthand. Troubled youth organizations, such as...

Give the Gift of Care - A Charitable Challenge - Part 3

It’s a new week, which means it's time to deep dive into a new organization. When I was deliberating on which organizations I wanted to work with this month, the Veterans Outreach Center immediately came to mind. I am a Veteran...

Give the Gift of Care - A Charitable Challenge - Part 2

Welcome back! As promised, I will be doing a deep dive into the organizations I listed last week - starting with Cobblestone Art Center. A friend of mine opened my eyes to this organization, and it’s safe to say, they are pretty...

Give the Gift of Care - A Charitable Challenge - Part 1

The holiday season is upon us, and with the time for gifts comes the time for giving. That is why I have decided to dedicate this month to a series of charities that are significant to me, and my family, in unique ways. We all know my...

Part 4: All Things Healthcare

The last installment in our November Edu-Blog series on healthcare is dedicated to the stragglers. Remember that open enrollment closes on December 15th, 2021. We all know that enrolling in healthcare coverage is about as exciting as...

Part 3: All Things Healthcare

In Part 3 of our November Edu-Blog series on health insurance, I’m going to share some ideas on how to determine how you use your health insurance plan and how to get the most out of it by focusing on high deductibles, provider...

Part 2: All Things Healthcare

In Part 2 of our November Edu-Blog series on health insurance, I will go over two factors that I believe can help drive the cost of health insurance down on an individual basis. Now, these aren’t quick band-aid fixes; they simply...

Part 1: All Things Healthcare

In Part 1 of our November Edu-Blog series on health insurance, I want to start with the obvious. The healthcare industry was not ready for COVID-19, and therefore the future of health insurance is in flux. We expect to see a...

Happiness Happens Naturally - It Pays to Have Perspective

We started this month covering the COVID collapse and used that to explain why the market and its many movements are not something to fear. Instead, I hope I have shown you that there are two sides to every coin. And while we most...

Happiness Happens Naturally - The Dollar Value of Discipline

This feels like a topic we’ll never get away from, no matter how old we get. It follows us everywhere. We heard it from our mothers, our teachers, our coaches. Throughout life, it was: discipline, discipline, discipline. Nowadays...

Happiness Happens Naturally - Equity Diversification

Last week we talked about everyone’s least favorite subject: the COVID collapse. But more importantly, we talked about why it shouldn’t be everyone’s least favorite subject. Like I said in the previous blog posts,...

Happiness Happens Naturally - A Collapse Comes Full Circle

Let’s be real. The COVID collapse is probably the last thing on everyone’s “to-talk-about” list. We’ve heard enough; we’ve seen enough. We’ve screamed enough. I don’t blame you. This time...

Wealth is More Than Money - Part 5

Wealth is More Than Money - Asking Questions Now that we’ve come to the end of our blog series, you might have a few questions. I’m here to tell you - that’s a good thing. Asking questions is the last topic on our...

Wealth is More Than Money - Part 4

Wealth is More Than Money - Harmony in The Home Last week we talked all about prioritization and how doing it well can help generate wealth in unexpected ways. This week, we’re going to go over yet another non-financial means of...

Wealth is More Than Money - Part 3

Wealth is More Than Money - Prioritizing This month, I decided to share some lifestyle ideas I’ve had on my mind this year. You see, there are certain habits and behaviors that, while not directly related to finance, can spell...

Wealth is More Than Money - Part 2

Wealth is More Than Money - Time Management Last week, we talked about how tackling burnout is one non-financial way to improve your overall wealth. This week, I want to talk about managing your most valuable non-financial asset - time...

Wealth is More Than Money - Part 1

Wealth is More Than Money - Tackling Burnout When it comes to helping people reach their goals, most financial advisors tend to focus on areas like investing, tax planning, and other money-related topics. I am no exception. After all,...

Optimism is the Only Realism Part 4- GDP, S&P 500, and Compounding Dividends

What are the big things that people worried about finance tend to pay attention to? GDP and the S&P 500. Those are the titans that tell us when it’s time to tighten our bootstraps or go out and buy new ones. Before we move on,...

Optimism is the Only Realism Part 3- Job Growth

One big problem post-pandemic was our outlook on the American job market. Let’s be honest; we took a massive hit on unemployment and inevitably fell into a recession. I don’t mean to send you into cardiac arrest by...

Optimism is the Only Realism Part 2 - Medicine and Mortality

It’s an excellent time to be alive - it’s also the easiest time to be alive. If you’re so eager to go back into those “good old days'' we talked about, it’s important to remember that they didn’t...

Optimism is the Only Realism Part 1- Technology

I know a lot of you might already disagree with the title - and I get it. Optimism being the new realism doesn’t exactly match our collective agreement that life (at least in 2020) was straight out of a bad movie. That’s...

Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf: Demystifying Inflation Part 4

Inflation: Why We Shouldn’t Worry You made it through the end of this blog series, which means you’ve made it through another month of potential inflation, and you’re still alive! I’m proud of you! That...

Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf: Demystifying Inflation Part 3

Inflation: Why It's Good Ah, now off to the good part. Last week we talked about all the reasons inflation is the bad guy, but it turns out that inflation does have some redeeming qualities. Again, inflation is like kids - doing things...

Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf: Demystifying Inflation Part 2

Inflation: Why It’s Bad Inflation has a lot of effects positive and negative. Today, let’s focus on the latter! Don’t worry; I am not doing that just to ruin your day. We’re going to discuss the negative side...

Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf: Demystifying Inflation Part 1

Inflation: What Is It and What Causes It Well, if you thought you were done hearing about inflation for a while, I’ve got bad news for you - it’s back! Honestly, if you think you will ever be done hearing about inflation,...

The Brilliance Of: Part 5 - Inflation-Adjusted-Returns

You know when you go to buy a shiny new phone and the salesman says to you, “only $100 a month with our new promotion!” That’s $100 less than the other carrier was going to charge. Woop woop! All of a sudden that...

The Brilliance Of: Part 4 - Rebalancing

Last week we talked about diversification and how building a portfolio out of multiple categories and companies helps mitigate the risk of “putting all your eggs in one basket.” This week, we talk about rebalancing, which...

The Brilliance Of: Part 3 - Equity Diversification

I’m sure you’ve all heard the saying, “don’t put all your eggs in one basket!” Whether it’s coming from your grandmother after she heard your teenage dream of being in a rock band or from a financial...

The Brilliance Of: Part 2 - Buy and Hold

Last week we talked about dollar-cost-averaging and compounding interest, two investment strategies that require setting aside emotions and riding the rollercoaster of the changing market. With these two, investors must avoid the fear...

The Brilliance Of: Part 1 - Dollar-Cost-Averaging and Compounding Interest

Last week we focused on the importance of managing emotions when it comes to the market. Of course, it would be wonderful if we all could keep our head level when it came to money, but it turns out we are human, instead. Annoying,...

Know Your Role: Investment Counselor Vs. Behavior Coach Part 4

This week, I want to wrap up our May series on behavioral investing by talking about successful long-term investors’ tried and true behaviors. I find this fascinating, and I’ve studied the temperament of some of the most...

Know Your Role: Investment Counselor Vs. Behavior Coach Part 3

In last week’s Edu-Blog, I promised to give you some ways to avoid getting emotional about the markets and investing in general. One of my favorite financial authors says something like; the performance of your investments...

Know Your Role: Investment Counselor Vs. Behavior Coach Part 2

Last week, we started our monthly Edu-Blog series for May with a discussion on a financial advisor’s other roles, specifically that of a behavioral coach. In that discussion, we talked about the adverse effects sudden and...

Know Your Role: Investment Counselor Vs. Behavior Coach Part 1

OK folks, buckle up because we are going to talk about a topic that no one wants to say out loud. “What the heck do I pay you for?” OK, I said it; it’s out in the open now, so let’s go. But wait...I should say...

Speculation vs. Investing: The Tortoise Always Wins - Part 4

This month we’ve talked a lot about the tortoise and hare methods of investing. For our purposes, the hare is the speculator, and the tortoise is the investor. This week I’d like to share with you my specific approach to...

Speculation vs. Investing: The Tortoise Always Wins - Part 3

In the last two weeks, we focused on really understanding the difference between speculation and investing, the pros and cons of each, and how speculation differs from making informed decisions based on market research. This week, I...

Speculation vs. Investing: The Tortoise Always Wins - Part 2

Last week we covered the basics of speculating and investing. Now that you know the difference, it’s time to look at which is “better.” I chuckle about this because I am firmly in the “investing is better” camp. Yet, in the interest of...

Speculation vs. Investing: The Tortoise Always Wins - Part 1

There has been a lot of chatter in the news lately about fast-growing companies that seem like a smart “bet,” think GameStop, Bitcoin, and overvalued IPOs. The scary part is that many investors are making changes to their...

Volatility: The Silver Lining Playbook - Part 5

Volatility: The Silver Lining Playbook – Part 5 As promised, this week, I’m giving you the full playbook as a tool to still jangled nerves and perhaps even welcome volatility. Volatility: The Silver Lining Playbook...

Volatility: The Silver Lining Playbook - Part 4

Volatility: The Silver Lining Playbook – Part 4 This week I will share the last three of the top ten reasons I believe we need to reframe our view on volatility, A.K.A., my “volatility silver lining playbook.” And the...

Volatility: The Silver Lining Playbook - Part 3

Volatility: The Silver Lining Playbook – Part 3 Last week I shared the first four of the top ten reasons I believe we need to reframe our view on volatility, A.K.A. my “volatility silver lining playbook.” This week we...

Volatility: The Silver Lining Playbook - Part 2

Volatility: The Silver Lining Playbook – Part 2 This week I will share the first four of the top ten reasons that I believe we need to reframe our view on volatility. I call this my “volatility silver lining playbook...

Volatility: The Silver Lining Playbook - Part 1

Volatility: The Silver Lining Playbook – Part 1 Defining Volatility It goes without saying that volatility can be crazy-making. In our March Edu-Blog series, I am going to show you just how normal volatility is and that it is...

Retirement in the New Normal - Part 4

Retirement in the New Normal: Part 4 In the last two blogs in this series, I shared seven tips on pandemic-proofing your retirement strategy. In this post I will share the final three with you. I cannot stress enough, the importance of...

Retirement in the New Normal - Part 3

Retirement in the New Normal: Part 3 Last week, we started talking about some things to keep an eye on and approach differently in the “new normal”. For the next two weeks in our series, we will discuss additional things...

Retirement in the New Normal - Part 2

Retirement in the New Normal: Part 2 Last week, we talked about plugging the dam of unexpected job loss or furlough. If that is part of your reality in the “new normal”, then that needs to be addressed. This week, we will...

Retirement in the New Normal - Part 1

We are all painfully aware that the pandemic and its effects have changed life as we know it for the foreseeable future, if not forever, and this includes how and when we retire. For that reason, our February Edu-Blog series will...

Getting Back to Basics - Part 4

Market Timing Madness What is Market Timing? Market timing is the strategy of making buying or selling decisions of financial assets by attempting to predict future market price movements. The prediction may be based on an outlook of...

Getting Back to Basics - Part 3

Money is Purchasing Power What is Purchasing Power? Purchasing power is the value of a currency expressed in terms of the amount of goods or services that a certain amount of money can buy. Purchasing power is important because, all...

Getting Back to Basics - Part 2

Diversification, Asset Allocation, and Rebalancing Diversification The practice of spreading money across different investments to reduce risk is known as diversification. By choosing the right group of investments, you can potentially...

Getting Back to Basics - Part 1

Risk and Volatility are Not the Same Part 1 of this month’s discussion will focus on risk vs. volatility. This month is the start of a new year and with a new year comes new beginnings and new opportunities to make the most out...

The Tax Man Cometh - Part 4

Part 4 of our month-long discussion on year-end tax strategies will focus on using estate and gift tax planning. The techniques below are things that should be reviewed with your accountant as we are not tax advisors. The information...

The Tax Man Cometh - Part 3

Part 3 of our month-long discussion on year-end tax strategies will focus on using charitable gifts to reduce your tax liability. The techniques below are things that should be reviewed with your accountant as we are not tax advisors....

The Tax Man Cometh - Part 2

In Part 2 of our month long discussion on year-end tax strategies we will put tax policy aside and talk more about income tax planning using blocking and tackling techniques. These techniques are things that should be reviewed with...

The Tax Man Cometh - Part 1

In Part 1 of our Edu-Blog series for December on year-end tax strategies we will take a look at the possibility of changes to the tax law and how to prepare for them. We all know that each president has their own policys around just...

All Things Healthcare - Part 4

The last installment in our November Edu-Blog series on healthcare is dedicated to the stragglers. Remember that open enrollment closes on December 15th, 2020. We all know that enrolling in healthcare coverage is about as exciting as...

All Things Healthcare - Part 3

In Part 3 of our November Edu-Blog series on health insurance, I’m going to share some ideas on how to both determine how you use your health insurance plan and how to get the most out of it by focusing on high deductibles,...

All Things Healthcare - Part 2

In Part 2 of our November Edu-Blog series on health insurance, I’m going to go over two factors that I believe can help drive the cost of health insurance down on an individual basis. Now, these aren’t quick band-aid fixes,...

All Things Healthcare - Part 1

In Part 1 of our November Edu-Blog series on health insurance, I want to start with the obvious. The healthcare industry was not ready for COVID-19 and therefore the future of health insurance is in flux. We expect to see a...

Managing Election Hysteria - Part 3

In the final October edition of our Managing Election Hysteria Edu-Blog we will take a look at the theory that the markets can predict the next president. It seems rather far fetched, I know, however history has a different tale to...

Managing Election Hysteria - Part 2

In the second week of our Managing Election Hysteria Edu-Blog we are going to talk about how the markets and election seasons effect each other. Many people wonder if politics really drive the market, or if it is the other way...

Managing Election Hysteria - Part 1

If you are like me, you are probably suffering from election exhaustion. It seems like everywhere we turn the media is bombarding us with information, speculation, and drama surrounding the 2020 election. The media can be a Dr. Jekyll...

October 12, 2020 - Stocks Rise, Stimulus Uncertain

The Week on Wall Street Stocks staged a powerful rally last week, riding a wave of optimism over the prospect of the passage of a new fiscal stimulus bill.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 3.27%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...

October 5, 2020 - Special Update: Quarterly Report

The Week on Wall Street Stocks advanced last week, propelled by hopes that legislators may reach an agreement for a new fiscal stimulus package and optimism generated by a few corporate deal announcements and initial public offerings....

September 28, 2020 - Stocks Mixed Amid Uncertainty

The Week on Wall Street Stocks were mixed last week as worries that stretched from Washington D.C., where prospects of a new fiscal stimulus bill dimmed, to Europe, which saw an increase of new COVID-19 cases.The Dow Jones Industrial...

What We’ve Learned

What We’ve Learned The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of 2020 Let’s go back to February 19, 2020. Life was pretty good, wasn’t it? We were still in a solid yet slowing bull market. Sure, we were hearing the pundits grumble about the...

September 21, 2020 - Tech Sector Slip Continues

The Week on Wall Street Stocks slipped as the technology sector remained under pressure and a mid-week announcement by the Federal Reserve failed to inspire investors.The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.03%, while the Standard...

September 14, 2020 - Stocks Continue Downward Slide

The Week on Wall Street Stocks traveled a volatile path last week as investors appeared concerned about the upcoming elections, an uncertain economy, and more delays with additional fiscal stimulus. The Dow Jones Industrial Average...

September 8, 2020 - Stocks Stall as Recovery Continues

The Week on Wall Street A late week sell-off sent stocks broadly lower as investors took some profits after stocks reached all-time highs earlier in the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 1.82%, while the Standard & Poor’s...

August 31, 2020 - Stocks Power Higher

The Week on Wall Street Stocks advanced relentlessly last week on positive COVID-19 developments, encouraging economic data, and a supportive policy shift in the Fed’s approach to its target inflation rate. The Dow Jones Industrial...

August 24, 2020 - Stocks Reach New Highs

The Week on Wall Street Stocks powered to another week of gains as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite set multiple new record highs along the way.The Dow Jones Industrial Average was essentially unchanged while the Standard & Poor’s 500...

August 17, 2020 - Stocks and Consumer Prices Rise

The Week on Wall StreetStock prices drifted higher in an otherwise quiet news week, as a slowdown in new COVID-19 cases outweighed a Congressional impasse on a new fiscal-spending measure. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.81%...

August 10, 2020 - Earnings Season Winds Down

The Week on Wall StreetOverlooking stalled efforts by Congress to pass a new fiscal stimulus bill, stocks marched higher last week with the Dow Jones Industrials leading the way and the NASDAQ Composite setting multiple fresh record...

August 3, 2020 - Stocks Have Mixed Reaction

The Week on Wall Street Stocks were mixed last week amid a busy week of earnings, some troubling economic data, and seemingly little progress on a new fiscal stimulus package.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.16%, while the...

July 27, 2020 - Stocks React to Jobs Report

The Week on Wall Street 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 Industrial Average lost 0.76%, while the Standard & Poor's 500...

July 20, 2020 - Stocks See a Mixed Week

The Week on Wall StreetStocks were mixed last week as investors reacted to positive economic data, progress on a COVID-19 vaccine, and the continued nationwide increase in COVID-19 cases. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 2.29%,...

July 13, 2020 - Stocks Gain After Volatile Week

The Week on Wall StreetStock prices notched solid gains last week, looking past an increase in COVID-19 cases and any potential economic concerns raised by the trend. The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 0.96%, while the...

July 6, 2020 - Special Update: Quarterly Report

The Week on Wall StreetIn a holiday-shortened week, stock prices turned higher as encouraging economic data outweighed an increase in COVID-19 cases and a rollback in economic re-openings.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 3.25%,...

June 29, 2020 - Rise in Cases Inspires Turbulence

The Week on Wall StreetA jump in COVID-19 cases dampened investor enthusiasm last week, sending stock prices lower on worries that rising infections could derail the economic recovery. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slumped 3.31%,...

June 22, 2020 - U.S. Economy Gains Momentum

The Week on Wall StreetStocks moved higher last week on news of more Federal Reserve market support and diminished concerns that new COVID-19 cases might lead to another economic shutdown. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.04%,...

June 15, 2020 - Markets React to Fed Report

The Week on Wall StreetInvestor sentiment turned negative last week, amid an increasing number of COVID-19 cases in states where reopening has been underway as well as a subdued economic forecast from the Federal Reserve. The Dow Jones...

June 8, 2020 - Recovery Optimism Builds

The Week on Wall StreetA positive jobs report sent stocks soaring last Friday, capping a solid week as evidence of a global economic recovery outweighed concerns over civil unrest and tensions with China.The Dow Jones Industrial...

June 1, 2020 - Optimism for Re-Opening

The Week on Wall StreetThe shortened week, which began with a powerful two-day rally of trading, was enough to drive the markets into another week of solid gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 3.75%, while the Standard &...

May 26, 2020 - Markets React to Positive Outlook

The Week on Wall StreetUpbeat 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...

May 18, 2020 - Powell Somber on Recovery

The Week on Wall StreetStocks drifted lower last week, weighed down by Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell's unsettling comments on the economy and signs of renewed tensions with China.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 2.65%,...

May 11, 2020 - Jobs Down, Stocks Up

The Week on Wall StreetDespite a historic downturn in employment, stocks managed to climb higher last week as investors were emboldened by the pace of economic re-openings, both here and abroad.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 2...

May 4, 2020 - Economic Normalization Near?

The Week on Wall StreetStock prices ended the week slightly lower, despite news of positive results from a test trial of a COVID-19 drug treatment and several states easing their economic lockdowns. The Dow Jones Industrial Average...

April 27, 2020 - Markets React to Oil Prices

The Week on Wall StreetStock prices bounced around last week as investors reacted to wild swings in the price of oil and reports that called into question the efficacy of two potential virus treatments.The Dow Jones Industrial Average...

April 20, 2020 - First Post-COVID-19 Data Arrives

The Week on Wall StreetStock prices pushed higher last week as news of a White House plan to reopen the economy and reports of a potential COVID-19 treatment helped the market overcome weak economic data and an ugly start to the...

April 13, 2020 - Markets Rally

The Week on Wall StreetThe stock market staged a broad rally this week, buoyed by the prospect that COVID-19's grip on the nation may be easing and news of another Federal Reserve program to help stabilize businesses.The Dow Jones...

April 6, 2020 - Special Update: Quarterly Report

The Week on Wall StreetModest declines in stock prices this week masked the volatile inter- and intraday price swings as investors digested poor economic data and a warning from the president that the worst days of the COVID-19...

March 30, 2020 - Congress Approves Stimulus

An open-ended commitment by the Federal Reserve to support American businesses and capital markets along with the passage of a $2 trillion aid package improved investor sentiment and drove a strong rally in stock prices. The Dow Jones...

March 23, 2020 - More Coronavirus Volatility

The Week on Wall StreetThe stock market suffered through another volatile week as it wrestled with the health and economic fallout of the domestic spread of the coronavirus. Swift and decisive actions by the Federal Reserve and policy...

March 22, 2020 | A Clear Vision of Financial Goals

Our everyday lives have changed dramatically over the last few weeks as we work together to minimize the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. We know these efforts are necessary, but they also have come at a cost.Global economic growth has...

March 20, 2020 | It's Time for that Second Opinion

When the markets turn as volatile and confusing as they have over the last few weeks, even the most patient investors may come to question the wisdom of the investment plan they’ve been following. At Grover Financial Services,...

March 16, 2020 - Volatility Continues

The Week on Wall StreetMarkets remained exceptionally volatile, buffeted by the spreading impact of coronavirus, uncertain responses from federal policymakers, and the sudden drop in oil prices.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 10...

March 15, 2020 | Our Response To COVID-19 & LPL Client Letter

I want to share information about the steps we’ve taken to minimize any potential impact to our clients as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation and maximize our efforts to keep our team and clients safe. This event,...

March 10, 2020 | Panic 2020

Yesterday – March 9 – is the eleventh anniversary of the crescendo of global panic that marked the bottom of the bear market of 2007-09. It is to me a thing of the most wonderful irony that the world has elected to...

March 9, 2020 - Rallies and Retreats

The Week on Wall StreetHeightened coronavirus fears, falling yields, and Super Tuesday primary results sent stocks on a rollercoaster ride of sharp price swings, leaving stocks marginally higher for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial...

March 2, 2020 - The Virus Becomes the Focus

The Week on Wall StreetStocks fell sharply last week as Wall Street considered how the coronavirus outbreak might influence global business activity and household spending.The selloff became a correction for the U.S. markets. The S&P...

February 24, 2020 - Virus Anxieties Affect Stocks

The Week on Wall StreetTraders paid close attention to coronavirus developments and earnings last week, while wondering how the former might eventually impact the latter. Concern over updated infection numbers moderated risk appetite.A...

February 18, 2020 - Weekly Gains for Big Benchmarks

The Week on Wall StreetDaily headlines about the coronavirus had little impact on stock market averages last week. Earnings and mergers had more influence. All three Wall Street benchmarks improved. The Nasdaq Composite rose 2.21%,...

February 10, 2020 - Stocks Bounce Back

The Week on Wall StreetStocks advanced four days out of five during the past market week, erasing the losses of the week before. The Nasdaq Composite surged 4.04%, the S&P 500 3.17%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average 3.00%. Foreign...

February 3, 2020 - Equities Slip on Virus Concerns

The Week on Wall StreetStock benchmarks declined for a second straight week as coronavirus news tempered risk appetite.The S&P 500 fell 2.14% on the week. The Nasdaq Composite dipped 1.76%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average, 2.55%....

January 27, 2020 - Stocks End the Week Lower

The Week on Wall StreetStock prices fell last week as investors considered the potential health and economic risks of the flu-like coronavirus.Foreign stock markets, as tracked by the broad MSCI EAFE index, fell 1.03% for the week....

January 21, 2020 - Fresh Record Highs

The Week on Wall StreetTraders were in an upbeat mood last week, reacting to news out of Washington: the signing of the phase-one trade deal between the U.S. and China as well as the Senate passage of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement...

January 13, 2020 - Further Gains for Stocks

The Week on Wall StreetThe market had a choppy five days, with traders reacting to geopolitical developments and weaker-than-expected jobs data. Even so, the three major U.S. equity indices posted weekly gains and continued their...

January 6, 2020 - Concerns About Oil

The Week on Wall Street Stocks descended from record highs Friday, as traders reacted to a U.S. drone strike that killed Iran's top military officer. Oil prices rose more than 3% following the breaking news.[1] Wall Street benchmarks...

December 30, 2019 - The Year in Review

What Drove the Markets? Four factors influenced investment performance in 2019: a shift in U.S. monetary policy, the ongoing trade dispute between the U.S. and China, earnings, and the economy. Stocks reached record highs in 2019. The...

December 16, 2019 - Phase-One Trade Deal Reached

The Week on Wall Street The U.S. and China announced a limited trade agreement last week. That news lifted U.S. and foreign stocks, leading to weekly gains. Advancing 0.91% on the week, the Nasdaq Composite outperformed the S&P 500...

December 9, 2019 - Stocks Ride Out a Choppy Week

The Week on Wall Street Key Wall Street benchmarks were up and down last week – or rather down and then up. A Tuesday retreat was offset by a Friday rally spurred by the Department of Labor’s November jobs report. While the S&P 500...

December 2, 2019 - November Concludes With Gains

The Week on Wall Street As November wrapped up, U.S. equity benchmarks advanced. Stocks were again aided by a sense of optimism that a preliminary U.S.-China trade deal could be near. For the week, the Nasdaq Composite added 1.87%;...

November 4, 2019 - More Historic Highs

The Week on Wall Street A better-than-forecast jobs report prompted a stock market rally Friday, two days after traders witnessed another interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve. Both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite ended the week...