Blogs

In the world of investing, the stock market has always been ruled by two very intimidating and unpredictable animals prone to emotional outbursts and a distrust of people, especially those wearing a red cape or carrying a pot of honey. This is the awesome power of bulls and bears. But when it comes to investing, there’s no reason to fear them. They simply represent the two major twists and turns of the stock market over time. Understanding what they are and keeping history in perspective are keys to being a confident and successful investor. This is Bull A bull market is a period when the...

Your body’s clock can help you maintain a healthy lifestyle Ever wonder why you feel out of whack some days? Maybe you lack an appetite for some reason or feel like you’re just too tired to get out of bed in the morning. Or perhaps you feel slightly overheated or chilled during part of the day. And what about jet lag? It may be that your circadian rhythm is off. Circadian rhythm is the natural cycle of physical, mental, and behavioral changes that the body goes through in a 24-hour cycle. Circadian rhythms are mostly affected by light and darkness and are controlled by a small area in the...

Four ways interest rate hikes can affect your finances – and how to manage it Inflation is affecting many areas of our lives – whether you’re at the grocery store, a gas station, buying clothes online, hiring a contractor or doing almost anything that requires you to spend money. Earlier this year, the Federal Reserve started raising interest rates to rein in inflation, which reached another 40-year high in June. By raising rates, the Fed hopes to slow the economy and slow inflation. That’s because as borrowing becomes more expensive, consumers tend to reduce spending. The drop in demand for...

Your 401(k) Offers You Valuable Benefits You Just Can’t Find Anywhere In the midst of economic adversity, market volatility, geopolitical uncertainty and a host of other things (including a still-active pandemic, now in its third year), it can be hard to find a silver lining. However, there is one thing that keeps showing you some love every day – your 401(k)! Here are some tips to remind you why you got together in the first place – and help keep the romance alive. Your Savings are Automatic With your 401(k), you’re following the core financial planning principle of “pay yourself first.”...

Flexing on plan design features can help improve outcomes for lower income workers. Depending on the nature of your business and the varied experience, education and expertise required of your workforce, you may have a significant population of lower income workers. The Defined Contribution Institutional Investment Association defines low income as $20,000 - $47,500 in annual household income. In a highly competitive hiring environment, the following plan design ideas make great sense for attracting and retaining workers. By adding just a little flexibility to better accommodate your lower...