May Market Momentum, A Gloomy Wall Street, & Equity Index Annuities

The Money Wise guys kick off this week’s episode with a reflection on last week’s numbers from Wall Street. They report that the markets closed out May on a high note, with all three major indices posting solid weekly gains and even stronger monthly returns. The Dow rose 1.6%, the S&P 500 climbed 1.9%, and the NASDAQ led the charge with a 2% increase. For the month of May, the NASDAQ soared 9.6%, the S&P 500 jumped 6.2%, and the Dow finished up 3.9%. The team goes on to highlight the second revision of Q1 GDP and the latest […]

Legacy Planning: Passing Wealth with Purpose

When most people think about legacy planning, they focus on the transfer of wealth—how to pass assets down to future generations. However, legacy planning goes far beyond that. It’s about leaving a lasting impact on your family, community, and even society at large. Passing wealth with purpose means creating a financial plan that reflects your values, supports the needs of your loved ones, and strengthens the legacy you leave behind. Whether you have significant assets or are just beginning to think about your legacy, it’s important to take a thoughtful approach to your financial plan.

Markets Drop Before the Holiday, Tech Takes the Spotlight, and What Wall Street Won’t Tell You

Markets took a hit last week as the Dow fell 2.5%, the S&P 500 dropped 2.6%, and the NASDAQ slipped 2.5%. While early-week momentum was positive, the tone shifted sharply after President Trump posted on Truth Social Friday morning, announcing a potential 50% tariff on EU imports and a 25% tariff on foreign-made iPhones—news that sent markets into the red ahead of the long weekend. The Money Wise guys emphasize that unexpected announcements like this, especially during thin trading before holidays, tend to spook investors and contribute to volatility. They also touch on broader media narratives that resurfaced concerns […]

Tariff Tantrum Ends, Recovery Takes Shape, & RIA vs Broker

The Money Wise guys kick off this week’s episode by celebrating a strong rally in the markets and declaring the "tariff tantrum" officially over. The Dow surged 1,405 points (3.4%), the S&P 500 gained 298 points (5.3%), and the NASDAQ jumped 1,282 points (7.2%). That brought the Dow and S&P into positive territory for the year—up 0.3% and 1.3% respectively—while the NASDAQ is now down just 0.5% year-to-date. The spark for this surge? Productive trade talks in Switzerland between Treasury Secretary Bessette and Chinese officials, which resulted in a 90-day pause on the harshest proposed tariffs. The guys have […]

Five Steps to Simplify Your Estate Planning Process

Let’s be honest, estate planning often gets pushed aside, buried under never-ending to-do lists and a general sense of overwhelm. With so many moving parts and details to consider, it can feel like a herculean task. But here’s the thing: simplifying your estate planning process doesn’t have to be complicated. By breaking it down into clear, manageable steps, you can take the necessary actions to have your wishes honored and your legacy protected, without the stress.

Sideways Markets, Trade Deal Hopes, & The Best Investment Advice Ever

This week on Money Wise, the “three amigos” take over hosting duties to break down another relatively quiet but technically meaningful week on Wall Street. The Dow dipped slightly by 0.16%, the S&P 500 slipped 0.47%, and the NASDAQ fell just 0.27%. Year-to-date, the major indexes are still in negative territory, with the Dow down 3%, the S&P down 3.8%, and the NASDAQ down 7.2%. Despite the modest weekly moves, the team points to an important technical development: the S&P 500 moved above its 50-day moving average, creating a new level of support, but continues to face resistance at […]

Market Resilience, the 90-Day Tariff Countdown, & Equity Index Annuities

This week on Money Wise, the guys recap another positive stretch for markets as the Dow climbed 1,204 points (3%), the S&P 500 rose 161 points (2.9%), and the NASDAQ jumped 595 points (3.4%). Despite ongoing tariff worries, the indexes continue to recover from earlier declines. Year-to-date, the Dow remains down 2.9%, the S&P 500 is off 3.3%, and the NASDAQ is still down 6.9%. April itself ended with mixed results — while the Dow and S&P were slightly negative, the NASDAQ managed a modest gain, highlighting how quickly sentiment has shifted. The Money Wise guys point to the […]