Blog

An important question many people are asking is “Are we in a recession?” We will discuss this topic with graphs and information on the state of the economy. Regardless of the technical definition of a recession - you be the judge.

I bonds are issued by the US Federal Government and are currently paying 6.89%. Can this be true? Yes, it is! In this article we will cover details including the pros and cons to see if I bonds may be right for you.

The S&P 500 is now down more than 20%. It is the worst start to the US stock and bond markets in decades. Let’s take a closer look at the markets and what is causing this significant sell off in stocks and bonds.

View webinar replays from Part 2 of our Strategies for Aging Family Members Webinar Series, which was focused on the role of a Professional Fiduciary and finding the right care solutions for aging family members.

The markets have been in a down trend since the beginning of 2022. The big questions now are: Has the US stock market reached a turning point? Is the stock market at a bottom? We are watching for signs of this every day.

Investigate evidence to support if we are in a housing bubble now -- the answer to this question could have a big impact on the economy over the next 24 months.

Learn the 10 signs to spot Alzheimer's and distinguish from other forms of dementia and estate planning tools to assist with changing capacity from our guest experts.

In this article we explore the changing bond market and how rising uncertainty increases market volatility which presents challenges as we actively look for opportunities, and actively manage investments.

There was weakness in the U.S. stock market in December 2021, which continued into January and February 2022. We think there are several contributing factors including the jobs numbers, rising inflation, interest rates rising - and Ukraine.

View our webinar replay where we discuss the state of the economy including several economic factors like inflation, consumer spending, interest rates, residential real estate, employment, the travel & entertainment industry and more.

As we’re nearing the 2-year mark of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are plenty of concerns as well as positive items in the news about the outlook for the economy.

A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) provides an opportunity to contribute to your favorite charity while meeting your commitment to your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD), with less of a cost.

We use a collaborative approach – working with your tax person as a team to focus on your goals and mitigate your taxes where possible. View our webinar replay and resources for possible tax strategies to put into action.

Donor Advised Funds (DAF) can make it easier to donate to all your favorite charities and potentially achieve some tax savings. Learn about how Donor Advised Funds can work for you. Discuss this option with your Wealth Manager.

The economy had U.S. companies reporting strong earnings for the second quarter of 2021. So why has the US stock market been pulling back the last few weeks? We look at concerns, positive factors, and the history of September returns.

Medicare is an important part of your retirement strategy but it doesn't have to be complicated with the right information. View our Medicare 101 Webinar replay on-demand with our Medicare expert guest speaker Joanne Giardini.

We are seeing more and more scams coming through email and cell phones, to us and to our clients. It reminds us that we need to be vigilant daily, because one wrong click can lead to devastating consequences.

Are 2021 Federal Tax Increases Inevitable? We explore recent proposals, learning from a conference for CPAs and the complexity of Special Tax Rules. Tax planning is essential View our webinar: Reducing Taxes Before & During Retirement.

What are those letters and words are at the end of the name of a mutual fund? Learn more about the share classes for mutual funds and how our Wealth Managers pick mutual funds at Financial Journey Partners.

You can't prevent a natural disaster but you can prepare for one. Our recorded Emergency Preparedness Webinar gives you the tools to plan and survive. Our thanks to Quake Kare for sharing their expertise.

We work hard every day to help our clients reach their goals, including retiring, and take great pleasure in helping our employees retire too! Thanks for everything Ingalill – and we wish you a very happy and healthy retirement!

We just experienced air travel and an adventure at Florida's Walt Disney World Resort! .We share our learning and 8 tips to make your trip easier. It feels like a good time to shake off the COVID resistance to travel and get back out there!

LTC policies can be a financial lifeline to a family to afford support they need without the worry of burdening family. Learn where long-term care insurance stands today - whether you own it already or are considering purchasing LTC.

Where to? With the passage of CA Prop 19, all 58 counties are now in view as possible locations for the Over 55, with a more affordable property tax. Learn how to calculate your new CA Proposition 19 options.

Since March of 2020, the U.S. stock market dropped about 34% on the fears and uncertainty of a worsening pandemic and later recovered to all-time highs, a massive stimulus and increasing risk to prevent overheating.

Are you optimistic at the one-year mark of the COVID-19 journey? Explore our views on the state of the economy and our outlook for rest of the year.

Put your FJP Client Portal to work for you. View our recorded webinar where we address areas to gain Client Portal efficiency.

Since we live in Northern California in the middle of Silicon Valley, we have a first-hand account of why people are leaving the Golden State. There is a lot to love but growing reasons for people and businesses to pack their bags to leave.

Would you travel internationally during the pandemic? Caring for family members who are ill can make traveling essential, even in times like this. Read our FJP Advisor's story and learn from her international pandemic travel takeaways.

GameStop, AMC and other low-priced stocks that have made explosive moves up and down recently causing major wins and major loss. What's going on? We'll discuss the market volatility and potential forces at play such as the stimulus.

Avoid these two significant estate problems to make things easier for those you care about, not harder. A little energy now can go a long way for your peace of mind and the security of your family.

The pandemic in 2020 accelerated some trends that were already in place and started some new trends. What investments will benefit? See the 6 themes for 2021 that we see on the horizon.

New year, new financial goals. See our checklist of 6 goals to consider for 2021 to make the year a success.

Cyber criminals are noticing we are spending more time at home with emails and online. Phishing emails and cyber crimes are on the rise. Learn how you can spot a cyber crime designed to part you from your money.

The 2020 elections are historic. A divided government is expected. If Joe Biden becomes the next President and the Republicans keep the majority in the Senate, what Biden policies are likely to be possible and what are unlikely?

A K-shaped, recovery means that part of the economy is improving while other parts of the economy are struggling. Are we having a K shaped recovery? If so shat are the trends for the strong and weak parts of the economy?

Large companies are announcing plans to leave California and we've observed that more Californians are making individual plans to leave. Is this a long-term trend? If so where are Californians moving to and why?

A mid-year review of the US stock market and economy. We will summarize the key points and assess where things stand today and important areas to watch for the remainder of the year.

Have you noticed you've been adding TV and movie services one after another? This cost can really add up. We took up the challenge to see if we could cut the cord and increase our entertainment options and possibly save money.

The Coronavirus has impacted the world much more than previous diseases. Having said that, we do believe sometime later in the year, life should return to normal and the Coronavirus concerns will have subsided.

As of Monday, March 2, 2020, this is our view on the coronavirus, economy and stock market.

Your Client Portal is a valuable asset in your financial planning toolkit. Here are some key features we shared at our recent client seminar.

What factors are contributing to the recent stock market rally? Could it be increasing earnings of US companies, growth in the US GDP, political factors or actions by the Federal Reserve?

An estate plan that was carefully and thoughtfully created over time may have elements that are no longer appropriate. A small amount of time spent to keep it updated can save your family and heirs a lot of time and heartbreak later.

On July 4th, Independence Day, we reflect on the meaning of the day and our founding fathers who bet everything to strive for freedom and independence.

Here is an update on our views on the US economy, stock market and changes we have made to client portfolios in the past month. Figure 1. S&P 500 Total ReturnSource: HiddenLevers.com The S&P 500 reached new all-time highs on May 3,...

Financial markets work through cycles that are upward and are downward, just as the economy goes through such cycles varying from strong to weak. When a financial market as a whole, or as a group of securities has been rising, this is...