Once in a very great while, there comes a year in the economy and the markets that may serve as a tutorial—in effect, a master class in the principles of successful long-term, goal-focused investing. 2020 was just such a year. On December 31, 2019, the Standard & Poor's 500-Stock index... read more →
It goes by many names. Some call it a “rainy-day fund” or an “emergency fund”; others refer to it as “mattress money”. Whatever you call it, the function is the same. It is a buffer of protection against life’s unexpected occurrences. Think of it as insurance against some sort of... read more →
a note from Bob on April 29, 2020 News broke this morning that we were all anticipating - the economy shrank 4.8% in the first quarter. This should be a surprise to absolutely no one. I want to share with you my perspective on this news and what you may... read more →
a note from Bob on March 31, 2020 Congress and the President have been working overtime passing legislation to fight the effects of the Coronavirus. One recent item (the CARES Act) allows you to completely forgo your Required Minimum Distribution for 2020. This is an RMD holiday and presents some... read more →
A note from Bob on March 21, 2020 A couple of weeks ago, the S&P 500 entered “bear market territory” by closing down 20% below its previous all-time high. We have been reminded what seems to be hourly of this truth by the financial press. Maybe it’s just me, but... read more →
How do income and consumer spending in the Greater Tampa Bay Area in Florida compare to the country? Findings from a new report help to answer that question. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics surveyed households in the Tampa - St. Petersburg - Clearwater area analyzing income and spending patterns... read more →
Considering listing your property on sites such as Airbnb or VRBO? Living in Florida makes for a desirable destination vacation due to its generally warm climate and beaches. There is a reason why there are more than 7 million listings worldwide on Airbnb and more than 2 million on VRBO... read more →
The numbers are here - Americans spent $61,224 on average in 2018, a slight increase from 2017. Where exactly was that money spent? The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has issued its most recent consumer spending report with the findings of spending per consumer unit.* Where is our money going?... read more →
Cost and Lifestyle Comparisons of City versus Country Living Considering making a move to the country? Maybe you want more quiet days, or you want to reduce your spending. Or maybe you just want a change in the pace of life. No matter your reasons, relocating to the country extends... read more →
Need a vacation? There’s nothing worse than feeling guilty after a trip for spending too much. But you don’t need to spend thousands on airfare and hotels to take time for yourself. The below tips are an easy way to take a vacation while staying within your budget. How (and... read more →
