As we get ready to turn the page on 2023 and welcome the new year with all its possibilities, we’d like to take some time to reflect on the year that was—the notable events, trends, and developments that defined our economics, policy, business, and culture—and look a bit into the future to see what 2024 might bring. 2023 in Review Economy & Markets The economic picture in 2023 continued to be dominated by...

Your Child is Turning 18: Handling Healthcare, Academics, and Finances Together As your child blows out the candles on their 18th birthday, you may still see your baby girl or boy. But in the eyes of the law your child is considered a legal adult in most states. This means they can vote, buy a lottery ticket, or get a tattoo without your permission. Even if you’ve prepared them for what...

Plenty of user-friendly technologies are on the market today for our older relatives and their caretakers. Here's a list of currently available devices curated by helloEd that may help them.1) Visual Clock & Reminder Visual clocks help with keeping track of the time, day, and date for people who have trouble keeping track of time and reading clock faces. Losing one's sense of time can lead to confusion, anxiety, challenging behavior,...

While we haven’t yet said goodbye to 2023, it’s not too early to begin thinking about any tax changes that may be on the horizon. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017 was designed to overhaul the federal tax code by reforming individual and business taxes. As a result, sweeping tax changes lowered marginal tax rates and the cost of capital. Although some of these provisions are permanent, most of...

As we reported last July, there had been plenty of news that could have dampened year-to-date returns at the time. And yet, most disciplined investors have been rewarded for sticking with their appropriate investment allocations while most markets fueled “surprisingly strong growth.” In many respects, market conditions haven’t changed all that much since then. We’re still grappling with economic concerns over interest rates, inflation, and recessionary conditions. U.S. government showdowns continue...

SECURE 2.0: Changes Going Into Effect in 2024 Passed in 2019, the SECURE Act was the most substantial retirement legislation in over a decade. It contained important changes designed to help investors save more and be better prepared for the future. To build on the popular aspects of the SECURE Act, Congress, late last year, passed SECURE 2.0. Although the new laws will impact all savers in some ways, navigating all of the...

According to recent statistics, data breaches have become common in today's digital world. In fact, it is estimated that more than 111.7 million Americans have their personal information exposed to data breaches every year. Whether it's a major retailer, a subscription service, or another online platform, the risk of a data breach is a reality that we all face.1 Names, email addresses, passwords, and other sensitive information are being swept up...

Social Security, the program you may have spent a lifetime paying into, is designed to offer stability, supplemental income, and other valuable benefits that can play a role in your overall financial strategy after you retire. We’ve pulled together answers to 10 questions our clients ask most frequently regarding Social Security. If you are nearing retirement, this Q&A is designed to help you better understand what to expect from Social Security. 1....

Attention Parents and Grandparents of College-Bound Students: FAFSA Gets an Overhaul Changes are coming to the complicated form that students must submit to qualify for college financial aid, known as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Department of Education is calling it the “most ambitious and significant redesign of the federal student aid application in decades” and adds that it “includes unprecedented changes to how students and families apply...

Money Tips for Parents Sending Children Off to College You’ve done a great job teaching your children vital life lessons and instilling values that will last a lifetime. As summer ends and a new school year begins, one thing that shouldn’t be overlooked, especially for college-bound children, is the money talk. Having open and honest discussions about finances can help shape your child’s long-term relationship with money, which might set them...