Inflation has been a hot-button issue in finance and politics lately. You may have noticed changes in inflation yourself if you went to buy something and it was much more expensive than you expected. Eggs are a great example of this. In 2022, the price of eggs went up by 59.9% due to an outbreak of avian influenza.[1] Another factor was the pandemic, which caused disruptions to supply chains across the globe, causing inflation and increasing [...]
Our current economic situation is complex and, in some ways, unprecedented. Because of the pandemic, we have seen massive changes in how the market behaves, and we are having to readjust how we approach retirement planning. Government Payouts One of the major changes that we saw during the pandemic was the government directly stepping in to help with the economic downturn. The issue with this is that federal payouts can increase inflation, and when that is [...]
What Is A Rolling Recession? You may have noticed that the economy after the pandemic has been very up and down. And while there has been talk of a possible recession for a few years now, we have yet to completely enter a recession. A recession is traditionally defined as a consistent, widespread downturn in the economy. [1] And although there have been major market downturns recently, there have also been major rallies. Instead of qualifying [...]
The 2022 economic climate has been bumpy for most, and in some cases even bumpier for retirees. Americans and the world at large dealt with the economic ramifications of the Russia-Ukraine war, post-pandemic industrial effects, and rising inflation and interest rates. As the year ends, it is important to understand how these factors affected your finances as a retiree. Inflation Pinched Pockets Between 1991 and 2021, annual inflation averaged 2.5%, close to the Federal Reserve’s desired [...]
The 2022 economy has broken multiple records, first, with the highest inflation rate in 40 years, and now, the highest federal reserve interest rates since 2008.[1] In efforts to curb raging inflation, the US Federal Reserve has raised interest rates six times in 2022, reaching a target of 3.75% in November.[2] This rise in the cost of borrowing not only affects inflation but trickles into the decisions you make before and in retirement. Understand how this [...]
In 1960, a gallon of conventional whole milk was 31 cents, and today it’s $4.21 on average.[1] A few dollars might not seem like much, but that’s a 1,258% increase! Now that we’re seeing high inflation, the buying power of your money – including your retirement savings – could be seriously impacted. When calculating how much money you need to retire, consider what you’re left with after inflation. The Value of Money Over Time When you [...]
There’s no doubt that people have been feeling the effects of inflation on their wallets. Everything from food to gas to home repair products seems to be increasing every day. Federal Reserve Chairman, Jerome Powell, is taking inflation very seriously, raising interest rates to combat the explosion of inflation. And although the moves have made an impact, the Federal Reserve noted that inflation is stickier than it had predicted.[1] This is all to say that inflation [...]
During bear markets, we must ask different questions about our money and our assets. It is no longer about which stocks will double over the next twelve months. Instead, it will likely be about how to preserve your portfolio value by investing in stable equities with a consistent yield or profitability to mitigate the risk of steep declines. Regardless, market downturns happen, and if you have an IRA, you might expect to rely on its distributions [...]
If your weekly grocery bill is noticeably higher or you can’t believe how expensive gas is, you’re not alone. Inflation is at 40-year highs,[1] and a recent poll found that 52% of Americans said the most important issue facing the country is inflation.[2] It’s significant that so many Americans recognized inflation as a major threat considering how unpredictable that market has been. Inflation presents unique risks, so it’s important to know how you’ll respond to them. [...]
You might have been aiming to save a certain amount for retirement - and maybe you’ve already achieved that goal. But, considering inflation, an unpredictable market, and a lack of guaranteed income once your paycheck stops, you might be reconsidering whether you’ve actually saved enough. There are a few reasons why today’s retirees might fear running out of money and why they need to have a financial plan. Inflation at 40-Year Highs Daily life is arguably [...]