Wealth and Wisdom: Week of March 18, 2024

Like a party guest who’s had a few too many and overstayed his welcome, inflation is stubbornly sticking around. Consumer prices are still climbing – at annualized rates of 3.2% in the latest monthly reading, well above the Fed’s stated target of 2%. That has not stopped speculation that the Fed will cut interest rates later this year, however, and the party continues on Wall Street.

A quick shout-out to all of you who joined us at our “Help Me Retire” seminar on March 9 – our first public gathering in more than four years. We had a full house and a lengthy waiting list, which has prompted us to pencil in three more workshops in 2024 on different retirement-related subjects. Our clients will see these new presentations via private client webinars. We look forward to sharing our insights and strategies with you later this year – and we thank you for your interest.

St. Louis finally scores on a good top-10 list

Of all the places to live in the U.S., St. Louis ranks as one of the most affordable. (Reading time: 3 minutes)

Senior drug costs are falling

Changes to Medicare mean lower prescription drug prices for millions of seniors. Has anyone told them? (Reading time: 6 minutes)

Rising stock prices = earlier retirement

Strong market performance is causing boomers to retire early – but losing them is making the economy less productive. (Reading time: 2 minutes)

60 years of market cycles

If you think best in visual terms – as I do – this one chart will help you put bull and bear markets into proper perspective. (Reading time: 2 minutes)

Retirement hack: Fund your IRA early each year

Time is your biggest ally when it comes to saving for retirement. Here are some simple tips that can help you stop squandering it. (Reading time: 4 minutes)

How life changes mean tax changes

Getting married, having children, moving – can all trigger big changes on your tax form. And it pays to know about them. (Reading time: 3 minutes)

Keeping retirement on track

Use these 6 goals to keep your retirement years financially secure and fulfilling. (Reading time: 3 minutes)

Or consider not retiring at all

If you love what you do, here are 5 good reasons to keep doing it for as long as possible. (Reading time: 5 minutes)

Social Security: It pays to delay

Most Americans take Social Security well before full retirement age. Here’s what it’s costing them. (Reading time: 4 minutes)

No, skipping lattes won’t make you rich

But keeping an eye on your spending could save you hundreds of thousands of dollars and help you retire sooner. (Reading time: 5 minutes)

Words to the Wise

“Frugality, quite simply, is about choosing the things you love enough to spend extravagantly on – and then cutting costs mercilessly on the things you don’t love.”

– Ramit Sethi

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