On June 8, 2020, the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), which has official responsibility for determining U.S. business cycles, announced that February 2020 marked the end of an expansion that began in 2009 and the beginning of a recession.1  This was no great surprise considering widespread business closures due to the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting spike in unemployment, but it was an unusually quick official announcement. The NBER defines a recession as "a decline in economic activity that lasts more than a few months," so it typically takes from six months to a year to determine when a…

If you have been one of the many impacted by COVID-19 and you’re closer to retirement than some, then you should look through these tips to see what you can do to overcome this problem. Check Your Savings Check your savings account to see how much money you have.  It’s a necessary exercise to be sure you have enough in your account to last your entire retirement.  If you are not working with a financial planner, this may be an ideal time to start.  You should also verify that you have more than you need since you never know when…

If you missed the news, the IRS announced that if you already took out your maximum percent for your Required Minimum Distribution, you are still in luck.    According to the IRS, you can still roll over those funds and put them back into your account. That is according to the current Coronavirus, Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act waiver. This new waiver has been extended until the end of August. That should give you enough time to replenish your accounts before the end of this year, if you choose to. These updates also include what will happen with…

After months of desolation at the airports, air travel has increased every week leading into the busy summer vacation season. With full flights becoming more of the norm, it is more challenging than ever to socially distance on planes, making it important that you follow additional precautions. Mask Up: The number one thing that you need to remember before heading to the airport is to mask up. Most airlines and airports now mandate the use of masks. It is a good idea to bring along a few different masks to switch out as necessary. If you are boarding a long…

The economy that we all wake up in each day under COVID-19 looks a lot different from the one that existed before the virus took hold in the United States and around the world. It has been a major point of reflection for people all around the world. Many are reviewing how they have ran their personal financial life up to this point and reconsidering some of the steps that they have taken. As such, one of the items that some have looked at is their risk tolerance versus their risk capacity. The two are different, and we want to…