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Washing Dishes and Retirement Withdrawals

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When Chrystal and I got married, I soon realized there were some activities I thought I had long mastered but had actually been doing wrong. A case in point was loading the dishwasher. B.C. (Before Chrystal), I thought that if the dishes came out clean, the dishwasher had been properly loaded. After we got married, I found there was another criteria just as important as dish cleanliness – Her satisfaction that it had been loaded correctly. [Read more…] about Washing Dishes and Retirement Withdrawals

Resources to Research Your Credit

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Thinking about taking out a mortgage or auto loan? Concerned about identity theft? Reviewing your credit report on a regular basis can help ensure you qualify for the best interest rate and that no one is taking out credit cards in your name. And if you are considering a loan, it would be good to know your credit score as well. Here are some of the best resources I’ve found to help research your credit. [Read more…] about Resources to Research Your Credit

2016 Q4 and Year in Review

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2016 Q4 Index Returns
(Click Image for Larger Version) Source: iShares, Vanguard, S&P, Ataraxia Advisory Services

In a Nutshell

  • In a turbulent year for many asset classes, all managed to post positive gains.
  • U.S. Stocks finish the year strongly and in a leadership position. Stock prices surged into the end of the year on the expectation that companies will be more profitable with a Republican controlled government.
  • The U.S. dollar strengthened over the course of the quarter as the Federal Reserve decided to raise interest rates and talked of 3 more increases in 2017.
  • Assets negatively influenced by rising interest rates, such as Bonds and Real Estate, struggled during the quarter, continuing a trend that began in late summer.

[Read more…] about 2016 Q4 and Year in Review

Year End Planning Items

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It inevitably seems like the week between Christmas and New Years becomes one big to-do list where we try to remember and then accomplish it all before the calendar flips.

At the risk of giving you more things to tackle, here are a few financial items to review. Some may help lower the tax bill  while others are just good to do on an annual basis. [Read more…] about Year End Planning Items