Four Money Questions for 2018

2017 was a year that defied most expectations. Synchronistic global growth led to a surge in corporate profits, which in turn pushed worldwide stocks higher. The FTSE All-World index shot up nearly 22 percent, its biggest rise since 2009. US markets were along for the ride: The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 25.1 percent, the broad S&P 500 index was up 19.4 percent and the NASDAQ Composite jumped 28.2 percent. The Russell 2000 index of small companies, which was the big winner in 2016, put in a more than respectable 13.1 percent return.

BlogMark TalercioJanuary 1, 20182018, money, cash, debt, retire, retirement, finance, invest, investment, investing

2018 Financial Resolution: NO BUDGET

A colleague of mine recently asked me how he might be able to finally stick to a budget. For years, he had tried to create and adhere to a specific annual spending plan, only to blow a hole through it at some point during the year. “What’s wrong with me? I know that I should do it, but there’s always something that comes up!”

BlogMark TalercioJanuary 1, 2018budget, money, cash, debt, 2018, finance, invest, investing, investment, retire, retirement, mint, financial resolutions

7 Biggest Money Stories of 2017

It’s always interesting to look back at the year that was…here are my 7 Biggest Money Stories of 2017:

BlogMark TalercioDecember 26, 2017business, top business stories, stock market, Fed, equifax, Equifax Data Breach, Bitcoin

Last Minute Holiday Gifts for the Financially Curious

If you are looking for interesting holiday books this season, check out some of these ideas. I have interviewed all of the authors on my show, “Better Off”, so if you aren’t tempted by the descriptions, listen to the podcast, which will leave you wanting more!

BlogMark TalercioDecember 18, 2017shopping, gift, gifts

What’s in the Final GOP Tax Bill

Late Friday, the GOP released its final tax bill, which is expected to pass both chambers of Congress this week. Here’s what made it in—as previously noted: how it impacts your bottom line depends on how much you earn, how you earn it, where you live and the size of your family. To see a rough estimate of its impact, check out this Wall Street Journal tax plan calculator.

BlogMark TalercioDecember 17, 2017tax, taxes, taxreform, tax reform, GOP tax reform, GOP tax plan

Fed to Raise Rates for Janet’s Swan Song

The Fed likes to act in December…and this December will be no different. When the central bankers convene their two-day policy meeting this week, they are widely expected to increase short-term interest rates by a quarter of a percent to a new range of 1.25 to 1.5 percent. It would be the third increase of the year, the fourth in the past year and the fifth of the rate increase cycle.

BlogMark TalercioDecember 10, 2017Fed, Fed rate hikes, Federal Reserve, Yellen

Do Corporations Need a Tax Cut?

Now that the Senate has passed big changes to the U.S. tax code, it may be worth considering a blasphemous question: Do corporations need a tax cut? The bill, which now must be reconciled with the House version, would permanently slash the corporate tax rate to 20 from 35 percent and temporarily lower individual taxes.

BlogMark TalercioDecember 2, 2017tax, tax reform, GOP Tax Plan, GOP tax reform

Bitcoin 10,000: Investor Cheat Sheet

If you’ve been wondering where investor euphoria is, look no further than Bitcoin – about 13 million people around the world are cheering Bitcoin 10,000. Oh sure, US stocks are now in the second longest bull market on record (the longest was 1982-2000), but there seems to be a missing element to the current stampede: all-out excitement. Remember the late 1990s, when everyone was talking about stocks? It certainly doesn’t feel that way today. In fact, investors who call into my podcast and radio show seem to be more concerned about the downside, then the upside.

BlogMark TalercioNovember 29, 2017Bitcoin

Charitable Giving: 4 Smart Steps

As Republicans negotiate changes to the tax code, one area is set to remain the same: charitable giving. That said, because both the House and Senate proposals nearly double the Standard Deduction, fewer taxpayers will be itemizing, which means they will be giving for the sake of giving, not to reduce their tax bills.

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