Wealth and Wisdom: Week of July 17, 2023

Repeat after me: “Inflation is still showing signs of easing, but not fast enough for the Fed.” That phrase has become a recurring theme in recent months, as each month brings news that the post-pandemic surge in rising prices is lessening – followed by proclamations from the Federal Reserve that there is still work to be done.

The work, of course, refers to the Fed’s campaign to hike interest rates enough to cool the fires of economic growth without putting them out. There have been 10 interest rate hikes so far, and financial markets have priced in at least one or two more at about the time when earlier forecasts had the Fed cutting rates to forestall a recession that has yet to materialize.

It's probably safe to assume that the days of the 3% mortgage are behind us for a while.

Are America’s schools finally getting it?

Teaching our children about money is the solution to a serious national problem – and it pays for itself many times over. (Reading time: 4 minutes)

5 ways to save on college costs

This will also be the subject of our August client briefing – and replays of the webinar will be posted in the blog section of our website. (Reading time: 6 minutes)

July webinar: Maximizing your Social Security benefits

Learn the rules and design a strategy for getting the most out of the benefits you’ve earned. (Reading time: 1 hour, 6 minutes)

Navigating the Medicare maze

Some advice on making Medicare choices from a layperson who grew up in another country. Lots of useful insights here. (Reading time: 5 minutes)

Overcoming retirement’s biggest fears

5 things keeping today’s retirees up at night – and what to do about them. (Reading time: 6 minutes)

Working in retirement

Whether you need to – or just want to – here are some tips for getting the most out of going back to work after you retire. (Reading time: 3 minutes)

The world’s 50 most innovative companies

This annual survey ranks companies making the world bigger and better. Is it any surprise the half of them are based in the US? (Reading time: 3 minutes)

The importance of dividends

If you’ve read my new book, Your Way to True Wealth, you’ll understand why I consider stock dividends a key to both building and maintaining wealth. (Reading time: 7 minutes)

You’re being audited. Now what?

The number of IRS audits is expected to rise in the coming years. Here’s how to get through one. (Reading time: 10 minutes)

10 ways to save on summer travel

Americans are back on the move – and finding vacation travel more expensive. But you don’t have to pay full price. (Reading time: 8 minutes)

Words to the Wise

“I enjoy waking up and not having to go to work. So, I do it - three or four times a day.”

-Gene Perret

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