Earnings Season Kicks Off, Managing the Noise & What Wall Street Won’t Tell You

This week on Money Wise, the team recaps a strong rebound for the markets. The Dow rose 971 points (2.5%), the S&P 500 gained 243 points (4.6%), and the NASDAQ jumped 1,096 points (6.7%). Year-to-date losses are still present—with the Dow down 5.7%, the S&P down 6.1%, and the NASDAQ down 10%—but the gap from all-time highs is closing. The S&P and Dow are each about 10–11% off their highs, and the NASDAQ has improved significantly, now only about 14% off. Much of the rally was attributed to strong earnings results, particularly from the "Magnificent 7" tech stocks, which […]

Creating a Sustainable Withdrawal Strategy for Retirement

When it comes to retirement, one of the most common questions people ask is: How much can I safely withdraw without running out of money? That question sits at the heart of retirement planning—and the answer is different for everyone. A sustainable withdrawal strategy for retirement isn’t a one-size-fits-all formula. It’s a thoughtful, dynamic approach to drawing income in a way that supports your lifestyle, reflects your priorities, and aligns with the realities of market fluctuations and longevity. A well-constructed withdrawal strategy should be built with flexibility in mind. Retirement is not static—nor is the economy. That’s why the […]

Market Holds in Uncertainty, The L-Shaped Recovery Debate, & RIA vs. Broker

This week on Money Wise, the team recaps another choppy stretch for the markets as the Dow dropped 1,070 points (2.7%), the S&P 500 fell 81 points (1.5%), and the NASDAQ lost 438 points (2.6%). Year-to-date, losses continue to deepen with the Dow down 8%, the S&P 500 down 10.2%, and the NASDAQ down 15.7%. The Money Wise guys agree that we remain in the thick of what they’re calling a “tariff tantrum,” with ongoing headline-driven volatility and no clear end in sight. Trading volume has fallen below average on both the buy and sell sides, signaling that many […]

Markets Rebound, Emotional Investing, & The Best Investment Advice Ever

As always, the Money Wise guys kick off this week with a look into the numbers from Wall Street. Thankfully, the markets delivered a dramatic turnaround, with the Dow up 1,898 points (5%), the S&P 500 gaining 289 points (5.7%), and the NASDAQ soaring 1,137 points (7.3%). While year-to-date numbers remain negative—Dow down 5.5%, S&P 500 down 8.8%, and NASDAQ down 13.4%—the guys unpack what they call one of the wildest weeks in market history, particularly Wednesday’s rally, which ranked among the top 10 point gains for the Dow. The Money Wise guys compare the volatility to COVID-era swings […]

How SECURE Act 2.0 Updates Could Impact Your Retirement Plan

Passed in late 2022, the SECURE Act 2.0—short for Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement—introduced sweeping updates designed to improve how Americans save for retirement. Now, as we move through 2025, several of its most impactful provisions are taking effect. Whether you’re nearing retirement or still years away, these changes could influence how you contribute, withdraw, and plan for the future. In this article, we’ll explore what the latest SECURE Act 2.0 updates mean for your retirement plan and highlight the changes worth reviewing now.

Historic Market Drop, Tariff Tantrums & Equity Index Annuities

This week, the Money Wise guys focus on one of the most volatile market stretches in recent memory, as the Dow dropped 3,269 points (7.9%), the S&P 500 fell 507 points (9.1%), and the NASDAQ plunged 1,735 points (10%). Year-to-date numbers now show steep losses, with the Dow down 9.9%, the S&P down 13.7%, and the NASDAQ down 19.3%. The team zero in on what they dubbed the “tariff tantrum,” triggered by President Trump’s trade policy announcements mid-week. Thursday and Friday alone accounted for the #3 and #4 worst point-loss days in Dow history, with the S&P 500 losing […]