Economic News and Sensational Headlines

Today’s Prep:

How much should you pay attention to some of these recent financial news headlines? Eric shares what he thinks and what matters when it comes to your financial situation.

Equipping Points:

When you read the news, some headlines may grab your attention and make you worried about your finances. Eric breaks these different topics down and clarifies what you should be focusing on.

Wall Street titans warn Americans of the “economic hurricane.” With 4th of July around the corner, we are in patriotic mode, but not all Americans are in the same economic situation. The situation retirees face are different than what a younger couple may be facing. An unfavorable market can be more difficult for some people than for others. It depends on your situation and how it impacts your savings.

Mortgage rates in for a bumpy ride. This will be hurtful for those trying to buy a home right now, but if you aren’t buying or selling a home, will this really matter? What about the “twilight of social insurance”? Politicians will have to do something to address the issue of Social Security, but it’s not something many of them want to jeopardize their reelection over.

Another headline is about unemployment rates being higher than you think. Is that really true? Lots of employers need employees ready to work and do a good job. Not all jobs will be highly paid and work-from-home, but other jobs are still available.

Finally, is gold the asset we’ve all been missing? Gold doesn’t make anything. Maybe you want to have a little bit, but don’t put all of your money into gold. It’s perhaps a better gift for a loved one in the form of jewelry, but not a great investment plan.

Listen to the entire episode or skip ahead using the timestamps below.

1:18 – Are we preparing for an economic hurricane?

3:22 – Mortgage rates are in for a bumpy ride.

4:23 – Looming twilight of social insurance?

6:53 – America’s unemployment rate might be higher than you think.

8:42 – Should you buy gold?

 

Today’s Takeaway:

Everyone’s in a different economic cycle.

-Eric Peterson

Related Resources:

Retirement Vacation Planning 

Conventional Wisdom 

Financial Things We Can All Relate To

More From Eric:

The host: Eric Peterson - Contact - Call: (515) 226-1500

Subscribe To The Podcast:

Apple Podcasts  -  Google Podcasts  -  Spotify  -  Stitcher  -  iHeartRadio  -  TuneIn

Check out some other recent episodes

Retirement Planning Statistics

April 25, 2024

Retirement is closer than you think, but are you ready? With a staggering number of people lacking confidence in their retirement savings, Eric shares the misconceptions people have and what mistakes can derail someone’s financial future. Many people feel inadequate when it comes to what they have saved in their nest egg, uninformed about the pitfalls of target date funds, and unprepared about the reality of leaving the workforce earlier than expected.

Read More

Mailbag: Should I Fire My Broker?

April 18, 2024

Navigating life’s financial crossroads can be tricky, especially when it involves your financial future. In this episode of Retirement Ready, Eric addresses these complex issues head-on. How do you best evaluate your broker and your investment performance against the S&P 500? Eric says a lot of that comes down to setting expectations and understanding the risks. Then, Holly wants to know what to consider before making a midlife career change.

Read More

Putting It Off

April 11, 2024

We are all guilty of procrastinating from time to time. Financially speaking, though, this can get you into a lot of trouble. Let’s talk about the areas where it might feel better to kick the can down the road.

Read More

Common Scams to Avoid

April 4, 2024

Americans over 60 have lost more than $3.1 billion in various forms of fraud and scams in the last 12 months! Today we talk through some of the common scams people unfortunately fall for and how you can stay vigilant against it.

Read More

Financial Strategies: Agree or Disagree?

March 28, 2024

There are a number of financial ideas that people have differing opinions on. Eric shares today which of these he agrees with or disagrees and why.

Read More

Divorce Mistakes

March 21, 2024

Unfortunately, divorce happens. When it does, no one wants to make costly financial mistakes amidst an already stressful time. Today, we talk about the mistakes that can happen and how to avoid them when it comes to dividing up your assets with a spouse.

Read More

Villains of the Financial World

March 14, 2024

Just like some of these cinematic villains, some of these financial elements may have a bit of nuance and history that can make it hard to label them all good or all bad.

Read More

Uses for Life Insurance

March 7, 2024

When you’re younger, life insurance is often thought of as an income replacement as needed. But as you get older and into retirement, you might find other uses for life insurance. When thinking ahead for your estate and how it passes to beneficiaries, life insurance can prove to be a useful tool. Currently, the proceeds from life insurance are tax-free. How does that change how you include it in your financial plan? Eric outlines some of the options and benefits life insurance can provide.

Read More

Understanding Financial Risk

February 29, 2024

What kind of risks do you take in your financial life? As you get less comfortable with things like climbing up ladders and riding on skateboards, you might also become less financially risky. When you enter retirement, how you view your money in the market changes significantly from your working years. It’s important to look at your portfolio to ensure your investments match your risk tolerance.

Read More

Mailbag: What Financial Advice Should I Share with My Grandchild?

February 22, 2024

Why is retirement planning different than the “good old days” that our parents and grandparents experienced? Things like pensions, Social Security, and even RMD age have changed. Is your financial plan set up accordingly or is it in need of some changes to match?

Read More

Leave a Comment