Articles of Interest / Blog Posts
Exploring the World of Cryptocurrency Through New ETF Offerings
If the idea of engaging with an asset class that exhibits approximately four times the volatility of the S&P 500 index intrigues you, then the recent launch of 11 new Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) might capture your attention. These ETFs, introduced by a mix of established financial giants such as Franklin Templeton, Invesco, Fidelity, Blackrock, and […]
Peering Into Russia’s Economic Facade
Recent footage has shown Russian President Vladimir Putin touting a 3% growth in Russia’s economy over 2023, outpacing much of the global economy, including major European nations and the U.S. This claim comes as a surprise, given the heavy economic sanctions Russia has faced since its incursion into Ukraine, defying the forecasts of many economists.
What’s […]
What to expect after reaching all-time market highs
In the realm of investing, recent headlines have been ablaze with the news that the stock market has surged to unprecedented levels, marking a milestone that remained elusive throughout 2023. For many investors, especially those prone to cautious or pessimistic outlooks, such landmarks signal alarm bells, suggesting an imminent reversal. The prevailing sentiment among this […]
Positive vs. Negative Debt; what it really means
The distinction between what constitutes “positive” and “negative” debt is a topic of significant importance in personal finance discussions. Understanding this difference is crucial for making informed borrowing decisions that can either pave the way to financial prosperity or lead to economic hardship.
Positive debt, or what is often termed “good” debt, is characterized by borrowing […]
Growing Costs of Healthcare
When financial planners assess the sustainability of an individual’s retirement assets, one significant uncertainty looms large: the cost of long-term care. These expenses are not covered by Medicare and should not be underestimated. According to SeniorLiving.org, the median monthly cost of a private room exceeds $9,500, with an annual cost of over $50,000 for a […]
The Looming Question of Long Term Care
When financial planners assess the sustainability of an individual’s retirement assets, one significant uncertainty looms large: the cost of long-term care. These expenses are not covered by Medicare and should not be underestimated. According to SeniorLiving.org, the median monthly cost of a private room exceeds $9,500, with an annual cost of over $50,000 for a […]
Global Population Trends
If you’ve ever found it challenging to grasp the distribution of the world’s population through raw numbers alone, a visual representation might help you gain a clearer perspective. Enter ThePudding, a fascinating project (accessible at https://pudding.cool/2018/10/city_3d/) that offers a global map allowing you to explore population patterns up close. Here, you can see ‘needles’ of […]
Practical End-of-Year Financial Planning
If you’ve been scrolling through social media, you’ve likely come across posts about ‘year-end tax planning’ or ‘financial to-dos before the year-end.’ But what are the genuinely crucial considerations most of us should focus on?
To start, you might want to contemplate realizing capital losses in the taxable portion of your investments. This can serve as […]
Work-Life Balance Across the Globe
In the realm of paid vacation days, American workers often find themselves with fewer days off compared to their international counterparts. Surprisingly, there’s no federally-mandated number of paid vacation days in the American business landscape. Another telling metric to assess a country’s work culture is the number of hours worked per week or year.
The figures […]
Understanding the latest Trends in the Economy
With a backdrop of diminishing stock returns and looming recession speculations, one might wonder: what’s the real state of the U.S. economy?
The economic indicators present a mosaic of insights. A rise in the unemployment rate from 3.5% to 3.8% in August might raise eyebrows. However, the silver lining appears when observing the labor force participation […]