In a week, the U.S. economy will celebrate its longest expansion on record (or at least since records were first kept in the 1850's). As of July, there will have been 121 consecutive months of growth, surpassing the 120 months of the technology boom of the nineties. (As a frame of reference, the average expansion lasts 58 months)
Read MoreWedding season is upon us and with the national average cost of a wedding at nearly $34,000, according to The Knot's annual survey, newlyweds are getting a crash course in personal finance. Gone are the days when someone else pays for the nuptials, 91 percent of the respondents contributed some dough to the big event and 80 percent created a wedding budget, more than half who did so, spent more than the allotted amount.
Read MoreAmid renewed Presidential criticism and evidence of a slowing economy, Fed officials will convene a two-day policy meeting this week and the pressure is on. As always, central bankers have to balance maintaining a strong enough economy to foster job growth, but it can’t run too hot, which might trigger inflation. Right now, there’s a battle brewing inside the collective Fed’s Head between action and inaction.
Read MoreAs millions get ready to mark World Pride 2019 and the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, it is remarkable for me to think back twenty five years, when I was a recently out lesbian, who was also a financial planner and investment adviser. I discovered through my own experience that planning required many more steps for those of us in the LGBTQ community. Everything from health care, to retirement and estate planning, adoption and workplace benefits were issues that required special attention and techniques that were not necessary for straight clients.
Read MoreAs millions of high school graduates collect their degrees, it’s time to prepare them for the next phase of their lives. In addition to the common sense wisdom that parents, grandparents and friends will be imparting, please allow “Aunt Jill” to add a few financial tips.
Read MoreStocks reversed multi-week losses and you can thank Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell. The week began with hand wringing over the potential Mexican tariffs. On Tuesday, Powell announced that the central bank was keeping an eye on trade developments, their impact on the U.S. economy, and would “act as appropriate to sustain the expansion.”
Read MoreOn Thursday night, President Trump reignited the trade conflict with Mexico. You may be thinking, “Wait, didn’t he repeal the steel and aluminum tariffs two weeks ago, and didn’t the White House just submit to Congress the revised NAFTA deal, now known as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA?
Read MoreThe Jill on Money Financial Glossary
Read MoreI am using the recent occasion of Financial Literacy Month to define the most frequently asked financial words or terms that I find myself defining for readers, listeners and viewers. I will use the letters of the alphabet to help and if I miss something you would like defined, just shoot me a note and I will add to the Jill on Money Financial Glossary. Here is the M-Z list!
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