The SECURE Act signed into law at the end of 2019 brought new restrictions to non-spouse beneficiaries of inherited individual retirement accounts (IRAs), requiring them to empty those accounts within 10 years of the original owner’s death and pay the taxes due. Not only was the new law bad news for beneficiaries who were previously […]
With the recent trip by House speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan, China has responded by conducting military drills after threating severe consequences if she were to do so. In this episode, the relatable finance guys provide some background on the China-Taiwan relations, some implications should conflict escalate further, and how this can be factored into […]
In July 2022, the Federal Reserve Bank enacted its fourth interest rate hike for the year and its second consecutive 0.75 percentage point increase in an attempt to rein in record-high inflation without triggering a prolonged recession. While additional rate increases are expected in the Fall, the benchmark federal funds rate, which began the year […]
Looking back over the past two decades of the subprime mortgage crisis and the COVID pandemic, we are reminded that good times do not last forever. In each of these circumstances, we learned that the best way to protect yourself during hard times is to plan and prepare for a potential downturn while the economy […]
Markets have been volatile in recent weeks for a variety of reasons. In this episode, the Relatable Finance guys dig into the causes behind the current market volatility, and what may be in store going forward.
Planning for retirement is often the last thing recent college graduates consider upon entering the job market and earning a steady income. However, there is no minimum age when people should start thinking about saving for the future, whether it is for the purchase of a new car or home, to support a growing family, […]
After raising interest rates for the first time in three years, the Federal Reserve Bank announced in March that it expects a series of additional rate increases that would bring the federal funds rate to approximately 2.75 percent by the end of 2023. The last time rates were that high was in 2008. What does […]
In this episode, we discuss the various elements to the return you receive on investments including income, taxation and some of the different types of accounts you can invest through.
Special purpose acquisition companies, or SPACs, have garnered significant media and celebrity attention over the past few years, resulting in increased interest from investors. Amid more recent market turbulence, the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) has stepped up its regulatory authority over these acquisition vehicles, urging investors to conduct thorough due diligence before investing their […]
Novice investors often use the terms saving, investing and speculating interchangeably. However, there are significant differences between each of these approaches to wealth accumulation. Savvy investors will understand these distinctions and recognize when one strategy may be preferential to another. Saving The dictionary defines saving as preservation from danger or destruction. When applied to personal […]