As workers, most of us are accustomed to receivi ng a regular paycheck on a steady basis. It's especially welcome in turbulent times. If you're in the critical period of five years before or ten years after retirement, you're probably worried about replacing your paycheck during times like these. The market and economy teeter back and forth, and you're concerned about being caught on the downside right when you need the money. If you're not sure how you're going to create a paycheck-like cash flow for your retirement, you're in the right place. This no cost guide is specially designed to help you discover how you can create a reliable stream of income to help steady your finances even when times are unstable. You might be asking yourself: What happens to my income when the stock market drops? How will I maintain my standard of living when the economy is struggling? Is there anything I can do to help stabilize my cash flow, even if my investments are fluctuating? How do I handle the uncertain future without giving up too much? Will my spouse be able to enjoy a steady stream of cash flow when I’m gone? If any of the questions resonate with you, keep reading!
Voice cloning. Deepfakes. Hyper-personalized emails. AI scams are getting more convincing. Here’s what to watch out for to stay safer and better prepared. In the 1920s, a man named Victor Lustig convinced dozens of people he had the authority to sell the Eiffel Tower. 1 Twice. He forged documents, spoke confidently, and preyed on trust. Scams aren’t new. The technology just keeps changing. Today’s scammers don’t need forged papers or fake titles. They have artificial intelligence. And they’re using it to clone voices, create fake videos, and craft eerily personal emails. Even smart, cautious people can be fooled. This issue of the Visual Insights Newsletter breaks down five common AI-powered scam tactics , and gives you practical steps to help protect yourself and your loved ones.
After years of runaway growth, the housing market is cooling…like a pot taken off the flame. Still warm. Still active. But no longer boiling over. And the numbers back it up. Across the U.S., 117,000 new single-family homes are sitting on the market. That’s the highest level since July 2009 and a 31% jump from last year.1 Regionally, some places are feeling it more than others: Texas: Active listings are 53% above normal2 Florida: Tampa and Jacksonville lead the country in price cuts3 California: Bay Area pending sales just saw their weakest March since 20124 Even luxury buyers are slowing down. In April, sales of high-end homes dropped 10% year-over-year.5 That’s not about mortgage rates…many of these buyers pay cash. It’s about confidence. That said, prices haven’t plunged. Home values in the 20 largest metro areas dipped just 0.12% in March. That’s the first monthly decline after 15 straight gains.6 It’s a small move, but a clear signal that the heat is coming down. So why does this matter? Real estate isn’t just a reflection of the economy. It’s often a preview. Housing tends to be one of the earliest sectors to respond when things start to shift. That’s why many economists watch it closely. It affects jobs, consumer spending, and local tax revenues. When people get cautious about housing, that caution can spread. We’re not sounding alarms, but we are paying attention. So where do we go from here? It’s tough to say. There are many variables still in play. Interest rates. Inflation. Employment trends. That’s why this is a good moment to pause, reassess, and make sure your financial strategy still fits the environment. Thinking about buying or selling? Considering real estate as part of your portfolio? Just wondering how this fits into your bigger picture? Let’s talk it through. Markets evolve. Plans adapt. If you're curious how the current changes in real estate could affect your future plans or investment strategy, We're here to help you think it through.
Recession alarm bells are ringing…again. The latest GDP report shows the economy shrank by 0.3%.1 That kicked off a flood of doomscrolling, scary headlines, and panicked selling. But before we jump to conclusions, let's dig into what's really behind the number. Because once you dive into the report, things get quite interesting. As a quick refresher, think of GDP like a grocery receipt for the entire country. It adds up everything we produce domestically… goods, services, the works. When that number shrinks, it often signals a problem for a country's economy. But sometimes, the final tally can be a little bit misleading. And from time to time, it pays to dive a little deeper into the details. The first number that stands out in last week's report? Business investment. Corporate spending on equipment spiked 22% during the first quarter.2 That number blew most analysts' expectations out of the water. It's strange because that's not something we usually see right before a recession. Moreover, we also saw a 1.8% bump in consumer spending.3 Keep in mind, that figure wasn't as robust as we have seen in previous quarters. However, Americans usually shut their wallets ahead of a downturn, so this figure represents a vote of confidence in the U.S. economy. So what then caused the big drop in GDP? A 41% spike in imports.4 Companies raced to stock up on goods ahead of potential tariffs tied to President Trump's proposed trade changes. Why does that matter? Because in the GDP equation, imports don't just get ignored. They're actually subtracted. That means even with solid economic activity, all those extra imports pulled the final number down. Think of it like this… If GDP is like a grocery receipt, it only counts what we grow or make ourselves. So if you fill your cart with imported bananas, the house is still full of food. But the total on the receipt drops, because we don't grow those bananas here in America. That's what happened last quarter. The shelves stayed full, but the receipt looked smaller.
More than one-third of adults say they plan to make changes to their investment strategy in 2025. And nearly 9 in 10 are planning to invest the same or more than they did in 2024.1 This signals a shift. Investors are ready to take action with their money. But making smart moves starts with having the right strategy. Whether you're investing more, shifting your portfolio, or just getting serious about your future, the key is knowing which approach matches your mindset and goals. There’s no one-size-fits-all investment strategy. But by identifying the approach that aligns with your goals, time horizon, and mindset, you can feel more confident about your financial future. Whether you’re just getting started or refining a long-term plan, here are five strategies to help you discover your investment mindset and make your money work smarter.
The new season is a great reason to make and keep resolutions. Whether it’s eating right or cleaning out the garage, here are some tips for making and keeping resolutions.
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