Our Strong Valley advisor team recaps 2022 from May through August, where the US Bond market saw the worst start ever, and it was the 3rd-worse start for US Stocks. The team has a balanced discussion on winners and losers during times of inflation and what that means for investment risks. Questions from Strong Valley clients are answered, and the team showcases one practical way to objectively quantify and evaluate your own personal risk tolerance when it comes to investing. We wrap up the discussion with predictions and an outlook on where inflation and the markets may be headed in the months ahead.

Given the rising costs of healthcare and the impact of the pandemic on businesses, many experts are expecting benefits to go up. Whether you are in government employment or not, now is the perfect time to evaluate your own unique needs and find options that might save you money. Here’s help for reviewing your benefit choices to maximize what your employer offers.

The real value of a bear market may be that it gives investors, who are temporarily frozen within its grip, the opportunity to learn or relearn important lessons regarding risk and diversification. For savvy investors, a bear market also creates a period for looking beyond emotional headlines and studying the hard facts – facts that […]

#wellnessmonth Here are 8 suggestions that can get you going on the path to financial wellness. Not only are these simple daily actions that can have a big impact on your health, they also incorporate self-care tips that improve how wealth and income affect our emotional and physical well-being.

Do you know what happens to former employees who were promised pensions or other benefits when a company goes bankrupt? Like trying to find an extinct Dodo Bird, you might have noticed that company pension plans seem to be disappearing. Tips to consider if you’re offered a lump-sum payment.

Before the next recession hits make sure you are prepared. This article looks at what was helpful when the hardships of unemployment, falling house prices, dwindling 401(k)s and increased financial anxieties hit. There are simple things you can do to prepare.

No surprise at a rate increase – it was the magnitude that caught many off guard. What are the implications for investors and markets after the largest increase since 1994? Any increased expense for banks to borrow money has a ripple effect for both individuals and businesses.

Most people don’t prepare to invest and that’s a big mistake. Using the analogy of getting physically fit, this article explores ways that you can prepare for financial uncertainty in much the same way you spend your energy to prepare your body for the stress of a fitness goal or staying active and healthy into your golden years. Preparation matters.

Some use the term "nest egg" when talking about a retirement plan but the obvious metaphor of an egg reminds us of the fragility of planning for an uncertain future. An annuity might help with retirement confidence. It’s an actuarial-designed product with distribution amounts, in large part, calculated based on your age and life expectancy. The older you are, the more you get paid. Here are some examples of how annuities work.

Your long-term retirement strategies must account for inflation, which decreases the purchasing power of your money in the future. With inflation appearing to go up every single month in 2021 and 2022, it’s important to consider the historical averages and record highs to create a good plan. There are ways that you can prepare for a decrease in the purchasing power of your dollar over time.