For Financial Literacy Month this April, we are doing a series that will help you bring certainty to your finances in an uncertain world. The foundation of a solid financial life is cash flow; the money that flows in and out of your hands. Luckily, that's also one of the things that you have the most control over. If you can get on top of just this one thing, you can radically transform your life and your family's life for generations to come.
Welcome back to Financial Literacy month! The secret to a strong financial plan is cash flow, so I've dedicated this month to teach you not only how to determine and plan for your cash flow, but how to optimize it in order to create margin. Last week we talked about the importance of identifying your current cash flow and the step-by-step process for how to do it.
On March 9, 2019, Wall Street sang happy birthday to our current bull market. That was the tenth anniversary of the day when the S&P 500 closed at 676.53 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average bottomed out at 6,547.05.
Though it hasn't been without bumps, especially last fall, the markets have since maintained an upward trajectory. Last Friday, March 22, the S&P 500 closed at 2,800.71 and the Dow Jones closed at 25,502.32.
How Does the New Tax Law Affect Charitable Giving?
While we reflect God's generosity, we should do so wisely. There are certain opportunities available to save on taxes through charitable giving, which can enable us to give even more.
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The last nine-and-a-half years have been a fairy tale for Wall Street. We are living in a time of record upon record highs, and a seemingly endless bull market. However, this story has not been without its drama. In fact, since the start of the bull market in March of 2009, the US stock market has seen 23 pullbacks greater than 5% and last week marked the 8th of more than 10%, which is considered a market correction. So while the stock market's roller coaster of an October isn't abnormal, the scent of vulnerability seems to be increasingly fresh.
Let me start with this: I like Dave Ramsey. I think he gets a lot right. I've taught his curriculum, Financial Peace University (FPU), many times over and believe that it is the best tool out there for those with limited financial knowledge or who are struggling with debt. Whenever I teach the class, however, I will cringe during certain lessons. I find myself qualifying the teachings by sharing my own opinions with the class.
What Should I do if I Receive an Inheritance?
We are on the eve of the greatest transfer of wealth in history. Most baby boomers are now well into retirement age and are finalizing decisions about their will or estate plan. As a result, the coming years will see an unprecedented amount of money being passed down to younger generations in the form of an inheritance. Families receiving an inheritance need to plan carefully in order to avoid some of the common pitfalls.
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