Happy Spring! When markets get more volatile, many investors start to feel nervous about their
investments. What action should you take?

Happy New Year! We hope you have finished 2025 with joy, peace, and prosperity! Here are a few notes on the economy and markets.

We often get questions when markets are near a high surrounding the timing of #investing. Many clients worry that investing in the high might lead to major losses if the #market dramatically goes down. After all, we have all heard the saying “Buy Low, Sell High.” We do believe that it’s not about timing the market, its time IN the market that can create a win!

Are you looking ahead to the exciting day when you can retire and enjoy more leisure time? Not so fast – first, you have some important decisions to make when you’re ready to roll your 401(k) assets out of your company’s plan. Namely, your eligibility, expected income tax bracket, and how to handle any employer stock.

Over the last couple of months, markets have been very volatile given the uncertainty surrounding tariffs and trade policy. Historical data shows that trying to time the market is very difficult, and staying invested is
the best solution for achieving long-term financial goals. Missing out on just some of the best days in the market can significantly impact returns. As an example, in the month following the announcement of reciprocal tariffs, we saw the stock market drop significantly, only to rebound with the 8th best day going back to 19231. Had you not stayed invested you could have lost value with the drop, and then missed the bounce back.

Like many of you, I’ve seen a lot of market volatility in my 31 years in the industry. We can all agree that the market movements over the last week are unsettling, to say the least. Markets are bracing for uncertainty as the impact of the new tariffs leads to economic turbulence and widespread investor fear. In addition, big drops in the market trigger institutional stops and margin calls,
creating a spiral that can easily create investor panic.
At this moment, it’s impossible to forecast the short and long term effects of the current trade policy.
So lets focus on some things that we DO know:

You’ve worked hard to earn Social Security benefits and are probably looking forward to enjoying the fruits of your labor in retirement. A common question we get asked is, “Will the income I’ll receive from my 401(k) negatively affect the amount of my Social Security benefits?” In short, no. Your Social Security income is determined by your total lifetime earnings and the age you choose to begin receiving benefits. However, your 401(k)
income can affect your taxes.

Happy Spring! The big thing on everyone’s mind is tariffs – so here are a few thoughts surrounding them.  Click below to read more.

What are they? 
Why do they get used? 
What does it mean for you? 
What will the outcome be? 
What should you do in your portfolios?

Happy New Year! We hope you have finished 2024 with joy, peace, and prosperity! Here are a few notes on the economy and markets:
-The DOW hit new highs in early December and finished the year with double digit returns! *
-Interest rates took another drop in December. While the trend of reductions is forecasted to slow, every rate drop signals strength in the economy.
-The bond market continued to be rocky and volatile through the end of the year, with the overall bond market finishing in the negative. * More explained below:

April 15 is fast approaching, and we know that tax time can sometimes feel like visiting a foreign country, complete with its own language. You’ll likely encounter the following tax terms, so we’ve translated them into plain English to hopefully alleviate confusion and frustration.

As we welcome in the beautiful fall season, here are a few 3rd quarter economic observations:

Election ads, hype, and volatility are in full swing. While we see increased volatility and market bumpiness along the way, over 80 years of S&P 500 results show a 10.7%
average return for the full election year** Of course, past performance does not guarantee future results, yet it does give us a long-term historical perspective.

As many people send loved ones back to school, the election looms, and markets continue to show volatility, we thought these articles might be valuable. These contain helpful information about ways emotional bias
can adversely affect your decisions (don't let this be YOU during the election!), considerations about when to retire (if at all), how Boomers and Millennials differ (always good to understand how the younger generations think) and a guide for better understanding what 529 distributions will
cover.

It’s everyone’s favorite time of year: the rush and bustle of the holidays are over, the winter chill is beginning to retreat, birds are returning to sweetly chirp, and taxes are due (come on! Three out of four’s not bad!). While we know tax season can feel like a drag, we’re here to help you prepare. The lists below highlight the important information and items you should pull together before you meet with your tax professional.

Happy Summer from Sterk Financial! Here are a few second quarter economic observations:
• The DOW ended the quarter just a few hundred points from its record highs*
• Inflation is still sticking around. We have started to see this take a toll on homebuyers and new home sales/construction, and new home sales are at their
lowest level since November. *
• Election ads, hype, and volatility has started.

Happy Spring from Sterk Financial! As snow turns to rain, here are a few 1st quarter economic observations.

Happy New Year from Sterk Financial! In our neck of the woods, 2024 is off to a blustery winter start. Here are a few economic observations from last year:

As you enter each new phase of your life, milestones like marriage, buying a home, and having kids will, while exciting, impact you financially and, inevitably, could affect how much money you can put toward retirement. While these new expenses can be daunting, the good news is these also typically coincide with your peak earning years. While you move through life and its ups and downs, you’ll want to focus on balancing your spending with saving, avoiding common pitfalls, and preparing for your future. Here are eight tips you should consider.

Happy Summer from Sterk Financial! While 2023 got off to a volatile start, we were happy to see Q2 markets bring modest gains. Here are a few economic observations.

Inflation is an important factor to take into consideration when determining your retirement goals. It may be a hard number to pinpoint, but ignoring inflation poses a great risk to financial security later.

When we think about retirement planning, we usually focus on the obvious: Maximizing contributions. Minimizing taxes. Diversifying accounts and assets.
But even the best financial planning can be undermined by the unexpected. In fact, medical problems account for one of the top three reasons that people file for
bankruptcy. So, how can you stay healthy now to avoid financial challenges due to medical issues later? There are some ways.

As far as retirement accounts go, if your employer offers a 401(k) program, it's a great idea for you to plop you investment dollars there 99% of the time. Some plans even offer a Roth 401(k) in addition to a traditional 401(k). If yours is one of them, you'll want to take some time to figure out the best fit for your needs.

When we consider retirement, it's not just about doing what we enjoy (although that's a big part of it!) It's also about removing the need for mandatory work and living the life we truly want for as long as possible. Remember: your contributions today hold exponential growth possibilities, so we want to maximize them. There are common expenses that, when adjusted, could allow you to put more into retirement and, potentially, retire early.