by admwiu | Dec 5, 2023 | Investment management, Newsletter
The U.S. stock market struggled in 2022, with the S&P 500 index ending the year down 19.4%.1 The S&P 500, which includes stocks of large U.S. companies, is generally considered representative of the U.S. stock market as a whole, and it is a good benchmark for...
by admwiu | Dec 5, 2023 | Newsletter, Retirement
A March 2023 survey found that more than 90% of Americans worry about the Social Security program, and about half of those said they worry a great deal.1 A separate survey the same month found that more than 80% of Americans worry Medicare will not be able to provide...
by admwiu | Dec 5, 2023 | Newsletter, Retirement
More than 37 million U.S. adults are living with some hearing loss, but only about one-fourth of those who might benefit from a hearing aid have used one.1 One big obstacle is cost: The average price of a pair of prescription hearing aids runs about $4,600....
by admwiu | Dec 5, 2023 | Newsletter, Retirement
Have you noticed that packages are smaller at the grocery store? If so, you’re not alone. A survey of consumers taken in 2022 found that a majority of U.S. adults have noticed shrinkflation — products shrinking in size while prices stay the same or increase. This is a...
by admwiu | Dec 5, 2023 | Cash flow & debt, Newsletter, Retirement
The Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2023 was 8.7%, the largest benefit increase since 1981. Obviously, the COLA helps current beneficiaries, but you may wonder whether it will make a difference if you’re not yet receiving retirement benefits. The...
by admwiu | Dec 5, 2023 | Cash flow & debt, Newsletter
If you would like to reduce your monthly mortgage payment without having to refinance, then you may want to explore a mortgage recast. When you recast your mortgage, you put money toward the principal balance of your current home loan. Your mortgage lender then...
