Blog
Welcome to the MSA Financial blog! Our goal is to help educate and inform you about financial markets by providing our thoughts and opinions on current events, the markets and industry trends. We are happy to have you reading along and hope that we can assist you on your journey to financial success.
Fortifying Your Digital Defenses
In light of the recent cyberattack in Las Vegas, I want to address an increasingly critical issue in today's digital age: cybersecurity. Hackers are increasingly using a tactic known as "social engineering," which involves hacking...
Read MoreEducational Event - Planning for Medicare
Medicare - and it's many parts - can be challenging to navigate. Join us for this educational webinar to better understand Medicare.
Read MoreA.I. Is Everywhere
If you've heard CEOs mention "A.I." multiple times during second-quarter conference calls, you're not imagining it. There have been an astounding 1,072 mentions of A.I. (and counting) so far.1 Some believe that A.I. has the potential...
Read MoreDollars and Degrees: The Cost of Education
As we approach the back-to-school season, I wanted to discuss an important topic that might be on your mind: the cost of education. Whether you have children or grandchildren preparing for college or considering furthering your...
Read MoreBeyond the Bio
Beyond the Bio – Harriet Carroll As receptionist, Harriet brings the warmth and personal touch that welcomes clients to our office and makes her colleagues feel at home. Hailing originally from the small but mighty ocean...
Read MoreShow All
After Inflation, Eyes Shift to Q3 GDP
Wall Street is slowly starting to talk about an “expansion economy” and forgetting about any recession fears. July’s consumer inflation report was soft, so attention will soon shift to gross domestic product in the...
Read MoreWhy the Drop in Inflation Was Such a Big Deal
Sometimes, a picture is worth 1,000 words. So I decided to include an image of the June Consumer Price Index (CPI) report to help put inflation in better perspective: Core CPI, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, rose just...
Read MoreWhy the Fed Can't Figure Out the Jobs Market
As the Fed continues its fight against inflation, one of the more challenging parts of the economy is gauging what's happening in the jobs market.One July report showed the private sector added nearly 500,000 jobs, double the...
Read MoreSecond Quarter 2023 Market Commentary
We hope that everyone had a great 4th of July and was able to spend time with family and friends. In continuation of the trend that started in the first quarter, most major stock indices produced positive results in the...
Read MoreHow to Avoid Phone Scams
Scammers are pretty crafty these days. With sophisticated software to help make themselves sound convincing (“You’ve won money!” “You owe the IRS!” “You’re getting a refund!”), it’s...
Read MoreOver Age 50? Catch Up on Retirement!
The years between turning 50 and retirement can be some of the very best. Hopefully you’ve earned enough to start living comfortably, you’re accomplished in your job and life, and you know which risks are worth taking....
Read MoreA Trusted Contact Can Help Protect You
As you know, in the financial industry we take privacy and identity verification very seriously (it’s part of our ongoing effort to best protect clients and their assets). In recent years, we’ve begun adding a...
Read More5 Great Finance Blogs
Ever heard of the phrase ‘search cost?’It’s an economic term that refers to the effort, time and money someone spends looking for something they want. The hours you devoted to researching your next car or vacation?...
Read MoreWall Street Focuses on Debt Ceiling
Would it surprise you to hear that investors have moved past worrying about inflation? They have, at least for now.Wall Street has shifted its attention to Washington’s budget negotiations and how the debt ceiling will be...
Read MoreA Smaller Social Security Bump May Be On the Way
I wanted to take a moment to update you on the potential changes to Social Security benefits for 2024. As I'm sure you know, the Social Security Administration calculates annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) based on the Consumer...
Read MoreMarket Assesses First Republic, GDP Report
Financial markets can be challenging to understand. And when markets enter a “bad news is good news” cycle, it becomes even more challenging to follow along.Stock prices rallied at the end of April after the Commerce...
Read MoreMillennials Lead the Way in Impact Investing
Many of us are familiar with the phrase “doing well while doing good.” It’s a concept that’s gaining momentum, especially among millennial investors. Studies have shown millennials are more likely to prioritize...
Read MoreCEOs Talk Inflation
Over the next several weeks, we will hear from corporate leaders as they update investors on their first-quarter financials and provide a glimpse into the rest of the year.But this quarter, the actual financial results may be of only...
Read MoreHaving Financial Conversations with Adult Children
A recent survey reported that 68% of parents had made financial sacrifices to support their adult children. It's often a difficult decision that can stress relationships, impact retirement strategies, and harm overall financial...
Read MoreFirst Quarter 2023 Market Commentary
After a challenging year in 2022, both stock and bond markets started off 2023 on a positive note. During the first quarter, U.S. large cap stocks rose by +7.5%, U.S. small cap stocks increased by +2.7%, international...
Read MoreDiversify Your Investments to Weather Market Turbulence
During times of rising interest rates, high inflation, and bear market growliness, a fully diversified portfolio can help lessen the impact of volatile conditions. A diversified portfolio weaves together a range of strategies from...
Read MoreDoes Emotional Investing Affect Your Results?
Investing in the stock market can sometimes feel like riding a rollercoaster, full of ups and downs. There’s the thrill and excitement when the market goes up, but also uncertainty and fear when it goes down. It’s important...
Read MoreWhat Investors Need to Know About FDIC Insurance and SIPC
About the U.S. Banking SystemWith recent headlines about two failed U.S. banks and their ripple effect throughout the banking sector, we want to summarize the latest information on this evolving event. We assure you we are monitoring...
Read MoreThe Federal Reserve and the Banking System
For the Federal Reserve, credibility is everything. And its credibility is being tested by how it plans to manage the banking system in the days leading up to its March 21-22 meeting.Last month, Fed Chair Powell confidently told Wall...
Read MoreEducational Event - Social Security: The Choice of a Lifetime
Filing for Social Security is one of the biggest financial decisions you will make. That is why it is the choice of a lifetime.
Read MoreLast Minute Tips Before Tax Day
Fewer things are more reliable than Tax Day, even if the deadline has shifted around a bit in recent years. This year, it’s April 18th for most taxpayers, and recent legislation changes include substantial increases to...
Read MoreWords of Wisdom from Warren Buffett
The stock market can provide some head-scratching moments, which is why I like Warren Buffet’s quote, “...don’t watch the market closely.”Stocks have been strong this year, and they rallied sharply before...
Read MoreSmart Things to Do with a Bonus
If you are anticipating an annual bonus this year, it’s wise to come up with a thoughtful plan for the extra cash before it comes so you can get the most benefit from it. If you need more time to consider your options, deposit...
Read MoreSECURE Act 2.0: An Overview
In the final days of 2022, Congress passed a new set of retirement rules designed to make it easier to contribute to retirement plans and access those funds earmarked for retirement.The law is called SECURE 2.0, and it's a follow-up to...
Read MoreMake 2023 Your Best Year Ever
The New Year means taking a new look at your finances. The most important thing is to make sure you feel like you have the cashflow you need to do the things you want to do. So, let’s set some goals this year to build on last...
Read MoreFourth Quarter 2022 Market Commentary
The fourth quarter ended the year on a positive note with most asset classes rising during the last three months of the year. Despite the strong quarter, 2022 was still a challenging year with inflation and the Fed as primary causes.
Read MoreWhen the Fed Chair Talks, People Listen
The financial markets are on edge this year each time Fed Chair Jerome Powell takes the podium following a Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting.The chart below shows that the Standard & Poor’s 500 stock index has gained...
Read MoreNew Retirement Contribution Limits for 2023
The Internal Revenue Service has released new limits for the coming year. After months of high inflation and financial uncertainty, some of these cost-of-living-based adjustments have reached near-record levels.Individual Retirement...
Read MoreAre You Getting the Most Out of Giving?
Making charitable contributions is a great way to help people in need while maximizing tax benefits, creating a win-win. Donations to qualified 501(c)(3) organizations can shrink taxable income, saving hard-earned cash. Here are...
Read MoreYour RMD deadline is December 31!
The time to take RMDs is upon us and since there are strategic ways to ensure that you can save more of your hard-earned money and enable it to continue to grow, we wanted to help you start the process now.
Read MoreThird Quarter 2022 Market Commentary
We hope that everyone had a great summer and is settling back into their regular routines this fall. Unfortunately, markets (both stocks and bonds) have been anything but routine as the volatility that began in the first half of...
Read MoreWhat is the Cost of Missing a Market Rebound?
Panic selling is not an investment strategy. While it is totally natural to be concerned about portfolio performance during declining markets, we can learn a lot about how we should (and shouldn’t) react by looking at history.
Read MoreHow to Buy I Bonds Direct from the Treasury
With inflation hovering near 40-year highs, some investors are looking for alternative ways to weather the storm. For many, a Series I Savings Bond is just the ticket.
Read MoreThese Months are More Volatile Than Others
We’re entering a tricky time of year: September and October have a reputation for bringing an extra measure of market volatility.Some of the stock market’s most challenging events have hit in September and October, and...
Read MoreThe Inflation Reduction Act: What Does It Mean for You?
As you probably heard on the news, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 on August 16. Among other things, the legislation includes various initiatives such as locking in the American Rescue Plan health coverage...
Read MoreA 9.6% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) Increase for Social Security?
Like many Americans, you may be feeling pain from the high cost of living every time you buy groceries or fill up at the pump. Surging food costs and higher gas prices are pinching consumers, especially those living on a fixed income....
Read MorePlanning for College Education Costs
Remember when a college education was reasonably priced? In the past 20 years, the cost of college tuition for public universities has risen 165%. College students and their families have been taking on more and more debt, and they are...
Read MoreEuro/Dollar Parity & Summer Travel
Summer travel is picking up this year. If you’re headed to Europe, you may notice that you get more bang for your buck.Why is that?For the first time in almost 20 years, the U.S. dollar and the euro have reached parity. Souvenirs...
Read MoreTime – Not Timing – Is the Best Way to Protect Gains
Good days and bad days are a fact of life in the market. Sometimes it’s up and we celebrate. But when it dips, we worry…and if it tanks, forget it: the first instinct for most of us is panic, and we wonder if we should just...
Read MoreStagflation: What Is It and Should I Worry About It?
Phew, what a roller coaster we’ve all been riding. There’s so much going on in the world right now, and a lot of it is less-than-happy news. Understandably, most of us have nagging worries about what’s going on in the...
Read MoreSecond Quarter 2022 Market Commentary
The volatility that started in the first quarter, intensified into the second quarter, leaving both stocks and bonds with their worst first half of the year since 1970.
Read MoreWhat is a Backdoor Roth IRA Conversion?
Like it or not, taxes are a way of life. They fund great things like roads, libraries and parks, but nobody wants to pay more than they absolutely have to. We often get questions like, “How can I balance my tax...
Read MoreFinancial Independence Day
The best part of Financial Independence Day? You get to pick your date! But, what does it mean to be financially independent? In its simplest form, financial independence is the liberty to live as you want, free of financial...
Read MoreInflation & Your Money
Inflation"If the current annual inflation rate is 8.6 percent, why do my bills seem like they're 10 percent higher than last year?"1Many of us ask ourselves that question, and it illustrates the importance of understanding how...
Read MoreFed Boosts Key Interest Rate 0.75%
What an “interesting” week. In a move unseen since 1994, the Federal Reserve has taken an aggressive stance toward inflation by raising the key interest rate by three-quarters of a percentage point.Investors initially...
Read More