Our Thoughts & Insights
The Bulls are Running: July 15th Market Commentary
Last week, the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index set a new record, closing above 3,000 for the first time. Other major U.S. stock indices also finished at record highs, reported Barron’s. Company fundamentals, investor sentiment, and geopolitics all have the power to...
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Why isn’t their more love for the Roth TSP?
As of February 2019, there were 3,715,215 FERS and CSRS participants in the Thrift Savings Plan. However, only 557,470 people actually had money in the Roth TSP— only about 15% of all folks enrolled in the plan! Additionally, the average Roth balance for the FERS...
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How does the Federal Reserve Affect the Economy
If you follow financial news, you’ve probably heard many references to “the Fed” along the lines of “the Fed held interest rates,” or “market watchers are wondering what the Fed will do next.” So what exactly is the Fed and what does it do?
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What happens to my Facebook rants after I die? Estate Planning Considerations for Digital Assets
Unless you live off the grid, it’s likely your digital life will outlive you and become a part of your legacy. Your digital assets may have significant financial or personal value for your heirs. Consequently, you should give some thought to how these assets should be managed after your death
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Don’t understand your 401(k)? You’re not alone.
One of the most common questions we encounter from clients is about their 401(k). While our teacher clients utilize a 403(b) and the federal employees we work have a Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), for the rest of the world – and majority of Americans – a 401(k) is a...
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Perfect brackets? Predicting the market? Both are impossible.
While we’re told to beware the ides of March, around our office we look forward to this time of year. Our staff has two proud Spartans who fully embrace the ‘madness’ of this month, while our youngest advisor cheers on his beloved Golden Grizzlies – not exactly a...
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How Will Rising Healthcare Costs Affect Your Retirement?
It’s no secret healthcare costs are going up. Medical expenses have been steadily increasing for years. In 2007, costs were up almost 12 percent. However, the rate of increase slowed to 6 percent during the past five years and that trend is expected to continue for...
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Mission Point March Newsletter: Madness in March? Not for the market.
While we’re told to beware the ides of March, around our office we look forward to this time of year. Our staff has two proud Spartans who fully embrace the ‘madness’ of this month, while our youngest advisor cheers on his beloved Golden Grizzlies – not exactly a...
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Why getting a big, fat tax refund check is actually a bad thing
In 2018, the average American received a tax refund of $2,727.That’s great right? An extra three grand in everyone’s pocket is certainly better than the alternative, allowing for bills to be paid, an upgrade to the kitchen, new shoes for the kids, and maybe even a...
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Would you rather work on your finances or sit at the DMV? Sadly, a third of the U.S. chooses the latter.
Talking with a friend this week over dinner, he mentioned that he had been faced to overcome a major fear earlier that afternoon. The way my friend retold the harrowing tale, you would’ve thought he had dealt with a phobia like walking through a pit of snakes or...
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Mission Point February Newsletter: Explaining and examining HSAs, mutual funds, and the future of vehicle costs
We hope your 2019 is off to a happy and healthy start. As we finally have begun to remember to write ‘19’ on checks and other date lines, we want to remind you that all of us at Mission Point are only a call or email away for the rest of the new year. Although young,...
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#Shutdown Lessons: ‘Cash is King’ and building your own ‘shutdown’ fund
“Cash is King.” Have you heard that one before? The phrase implies that a large pile of money, instantly and easily accessible bestows the person possessing such cash advantages over everyone else. I think we automatically understand the benefit of keeping a reserve...
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