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Gratitude’s Impact on Your Money Mindset

When we hear the term “gratitude,” most of us think of living a happier and more fulfilling life. We think of slowing down, being mindful, and cherishing the small moments, like savoring a cup of coffee or reconnecting with an old friend. But how does gratitude shape our perspective on money? Could practicing gratitude be the missing piece for a prosperous retirement? Let’s explore how embracing gratitude can transform your financial mindset, leading to smarter investment decisions, less stress, and…
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5 Podcasts for Business Owners

Listening to podcasts is like having a personal coach or mentor for your business. Whether you’re looking for advice, creative ideas, or motivation, they can be a great help in reaching your goals. The podcasting industry is booming right now. Check out the growth since 2019: Year    Global Listeners 2019    274.8 million 2020    332.2 million 2021    383.7 million 2022*   424.2 million 2023*   467.7 million 2024*   504.9 million * = projected growth https://explodingtopics.com/blog/podcast-listeners Why have they…
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A Beginner’s Guide to Alternative Investments

Alternatives are investment options beyond the typical stocks, bonds and cash found in most portfolios. They can be tangible assets like precious metals, or they could be financial assets like private equity or hedge funds. Alternatives tend to be riskier than traditional assets, which means investors usually have to meet certain criteria to access them. Here’s a closer look at alternatives and some of the most common options available. What is an alternative investment? An alternative investment is a financial…
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Women Face Challenges in a Post-Pandemic World

The COVID-19 economic crisis tested the mettle of all Americans, particularly working mothers. Research shows that the pandemic’s impacts on women have been far-reaching and potentially long-lasting. Now that the U.S. economy is picking up steam, it may be more important than ever for women to re-examine their retirement planning strategies. Effects of the COVID-19 Economy The COVID-19 recession had a disproportionate impact on working women because sectors that typically employ them — including retail, hospitality, and health care —…
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Stock Market Risks in the Spotlight

During March 2021, the widening availability of COVID-19 vaccinations, signs of improving economic conditions, and a third, $1.9 trillion stimulus package brought about more optimistic growth projections. Even though a healthy economy could be good news for many businesses and the financial markets, rising inflation expectations caused a multi-week sell-off in U.S. government bonds that pushed up longer-term yields and sent the Nasdaq Composite Index into correction territory on March 8, 2021.1 Promising a patient approach, the Federal Reserve stated…
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International Investing: Opportunity Overseas?

For the past decade, U.S. stocks have outperformed foreign stocks by a wide margin, due in large part to the stronger U.S. recovery after the Great Recession. In general, U.S. companies have been more nimble and innovative in response to changing business dynamics, while aging populations in Japan and many European countries have slowed economic growth.1 Despite these challenges, some analysts believe that foreign stocks may be poised for a comeback as other countries recover more quickly from the effects…
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A Steady Strategy

One of the most fundamental truths of investing is that you can’t time the market. As legendary investor and economist Bernard Baruch put it, “Don’t try to buy at the bottom and sell at the top. It can’t be done except by liars.”1 Even so, it’s natural to wince a little when you buy an investment only to see the price drop, or sell only to see the price rise. And no matter how much you try to make objective…
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Changing Your State of Domicile

Whether relocating from a high-income tax state to a low-income tax state or moving to another state with increased asset protection, property owners, especially those of high net-worth, should consider certain factors for establishing domicile. Many residents of Minnesota love to move to Florida. They love the warm weather during the long winter, the ocean, the beaches and also the tax advantages. Minnesota is a high-income tax state. One of the highest. Florida as no state income taxes. Changing your…
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COVID-19 and the Importance of Disability Insurance

The prospect of being unable to work due to an illness or injury may seem remote to many of us, particularly during our younger working years. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the chances of getting sick and not being able to work for an extended period, making disability income insurance (DI) more important than ever, regardless of your age. Health insurance may pay for some of the medical expenses related to your illness, but it won’t cover your lost…
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Watch Out for These Financial Pitfalls in the New Year

As people move through different stages of life, there are new financial opportunities and potential pitfalls around every corner. Here are common money mistakes to watch out for at every age. Your 20s & 30s Being financially illiterate. By learning as much as you can about saving, budgeting, and investing now, you could benefit from it for the rest of your life. Not saving regularly. Save a portion of every paycheck and then spend what’s left over — not the…
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