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What’s on our mind? You can read about it on our blog monthly. Whether it’s ideas from the industry or emerging trends, you can read about it here. And once in a while, we may throw in a movie review or some other surprise. So keep checking in. We’re glad to have you reading along. If you would like to see special content on our blog, make sure you leave comments or contact us on our website at www.obnwealthadvisors.com

Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Over the years, I've come to believe that learning to navigate financial discussions and events in a relationship is a "must" that transcends generations. However, recent data shows that Gen Z and Millennial couples are forging their...

Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Small business owners may find it challenging to find ways to provide additional benefits to their children who work for the company. One often overlooked choice is including a Roth individual retirement account (IRA) as part of their...

Tuesday, January 9, 2024

Time's Person of the Year, Taylor Swift, is shaking off economic downturns and hitting high notes not just on stage but in the U.S. economy, too. The pop sensation's impressive impact extends beyond her record-breaking music, reaching...

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Inflation causes so many adjustments to our lives. The Internal Revenue Service recently released updated income tax brackets, standard deduction, and retirement contribution limits for the 2024 tax year. While these taxes are not due...

Tuesday, November 7, 2023

The Social Security Administration has announced a 3.2% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2024. This adjustment means the average Social Security retiree beneficiary will see their monthly check increase by about $57 to $1,849,...

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Tuesday, October 3, 2023

In light of the recent cyberattack in Las Vegas, I want to address an increasingly critical issue in today's digital age: cybersecurity. Hackers are increasingly using a tactic known as "social engineering," which involves hacking...

Tuesday, September 5, 2023

As we approach the back-to-school season, I wanted to discuss an important topic that might be on your mind: the cost of education. Whether you have children or grandchildren preparing for college or considering furthering your...

Tuesday, August 1, 2023

In the final days of 2022, Congress passed a new set of retirement rules designed to make it easier to contribute to retirement plans and access those funds earmarked for retirement.The law is called SECURE 2.0, and it's a follow-up to...

Wednesday, July 5, 2023

Market timing is exhausting. And sometimes, it can be expensive. When you time the markets, you have to be right twice – first when getting out and second when getting back in.In the accompanying chart, you can see individual...

Tuesday, June 6, 2023

Would it surprise you to hear that investors have moved past worrying about inflation? They have, at least for now.Wall Street has shifted its attention to Washington’s budget negotiations and how the debt ceiling will be...

Tuesday, May 2, 2023

Market timing must be exhausting. Always moving in and out of the markets based on economic analysis or business headlines must be so challenging.The accompanying chart shows that money held in money market mutual funds rose to $5.1...

Tuesday, April 4, 2023

When events like Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank happen, it's natural to wonder how a bank safeguards your funds. Fortunately, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insurance was designed for this very reason:...

Tuesday, March 7, 2023

The stock market can provide some head-scratching moments, which is why I like Warren Buffet’s quote, “...don’t watch the market closely.”Stocks have been strong this year, and they rallied sharply before...

Tuesday, February 7, 2023

In the final days of 2022, Congress passed a new set of retirement rules designed to make it easier to contribute to retirement plans and access those funds earmarked for retirement.The law is called SECURE 2.0, and it's a follow-up to...

Tuesday, January 3, 2023

While you probably already found your notice in the mail, you may be curious about the COLA increase happening for Social Security recipients in 2023. Starting this month, beneficiaries will see an 8.7% increase to help offset...

Tuesday, December 6, 2022

The Internal Revenue Service has released new limits for the coming year. After months of high inflation and financial uncertainty, some of these cost-of-living-based adjustments have reached near-record levels.Individual Retirement...

Tuesday, November 8, 2022

I’ve always been a little cautious when people say, “it’s different this time.” But the table below suggests the Fed is approaching 2022’s inflation differently than other financial events in recent...

Tuesday, October 4, 2022

The White House recently forgave up to $10,000 to student loan borrowers as part of a larger debt forgiveness program. There are still quite a few questions to be answered, but here are some key points to know.Pell vs. non-Pell: Loan...

Tuesday, September 6, 2022

Did you know that September is National Life Insurance Awareness Month? Well, life doesn’t stand still, and neither do your life insurance needs.If you have a quote or policy and haven’t reviewed it lately, you may be...

Tuesday, August 2, 2022

Summer travel is picking up this year. If you’re headed to Europe, you may notice that you get more bang for your buck.Why is that?For the first time in almost 20 years, the U.S. dollar and the euro have reached parity. Souvenirs...

Tuesday, July 5, 2022

At the risk of slowing economic growth, the Fed has driven short-term rates higher to rein in inflation. But it’s a tricky proposition.Raise rates too much, and you may trigger a recession. Don’t raise rates enough, and you...

Tuesday, June 7, 2022

Few investors should have been surprised when the Federal Reserve raised interest rates after its May meeting.Throughout April, Fed Chair Jerome Powell and several Fed Governors talked about the need to keep raising short-term rates to...

Thursday, June 2, 2022

With inflation hovering near 40-year highs, some investors are looking for alternative ways to weather the storm. For many, a Series I Savings Bond is just the ticket. I Bonds give investors a rate of return plus inflation protection...

Tuesday, May 3, 2022

Tuesday, April 5, 2022

Tuesday, March 1, 2022

Wednesday, February 2, 2022

Tuesday, January 4, 2022

Thursday, December 2, 2021

Preparing for retirement just got a little more financial wiggle room. This week, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced new contribution limits for 2022. Staying put for 2022 are traditional Individual Retirement Accounts...

Tuesday, November 2, 2021

While the world has begun to recover from the economic disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, the delayed reaction has been felt in the supply chain. Industrial shutdowns around the world slowed production to a relative crawl, leaving...

Tuesday, October 5, 2021

October brings to mind the beauty of the leaves changing colors and a time to enjoy the colder weather. But October also holds another meaning for millions of people: it’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Based on the numbers,...

Thursday, September 9, 2021

The economic impact of COVID-19 has been felt from coast to coast. And, unfortunately for many pre-retirees, it could potentially impact Social Security benefits as well. A new report indicates that if Congress doesn’t take...

Tuesday, August 3, 2021

Corporate earnings season has begun, and the results are turning heads on Wall Street.Of the 120 companies in the S&P 500 index that reported numbers as of Friday, July 23, 89% of them beat the Street’s earnings-per-share...

Tuesday, July 6, 2021

One of the most anticipated comebacks of 2021 isn’t an athlete, rock star, or movie franchise. It’s summer travel, and it appears to be back with a vengeance.Travel agents are working 14-hour days to meet the needs of...

Wednesday, June 9, 2021

As our nation continues to recover from the effects of COVID-19, one economic trend has been capturing news attention as of late. Consumer prices are rising amidst economic recovery. In fact, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.8%...

Tuesday, May 4, 2021

Few life events are more stressful than a job loss. If you or someone you know is in this situation due to COVID-19, you’ll likely have several questions about job hunting, unemployment insurance, and health care. You may also...

Tuesday, April 6, 2021

Are your financial goals well-defined? While "I want to have lots of money" may sound like a great goal, it's just too vague. How much is "lots?" If you don’t know … how will you know when you have it? And will the "lots"...

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

It can be easy to overlook the nation’s solid economic fundamentals when the financial media splashes stories every day about an army of amateur traders, short-selling mania, and initial public offerings (IPOs) that double in...

Tuesday, February 2, 2021

Recently, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that tax season would start a little later than usual. This year the IRS will begin accepting and processing 2020 tax returns on Friday, February 12, 2021.1 In light of the...

Tuesday, January 5, 2021

Your investment strategy is a lot like a marriage. One day you may feel like everything’s going effortlessly. The next day, there might be an argument over who forgot to load the dishwasher. And even the best marriages and...

Monday, December 7, 2020

The start of the holiday shopping season can provide important clues about the economy's state and, more importantly, overall consumer confidence. So far, the results have been a “mixed bag” with empty malls and busy...

Monday, November 2, 2020

On October 26, the Treasury Department released the 2021 adjusted figures for retirement account savings. Although these adjustments won’t bring any major changes, there are some minor elements to note.401(k)sThe salary deferral...

Wednesday, October 7, 2020

As the U.S. presidential election draws near, expect to see more and more headlines that propose, "What will happen next if this person is elected?" or, "What policy changes to prepare for in the next four years?" In reality, however,...

Thursday, September 3, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken up nearly every aspect of American life. To say it’s been a difficult time would be an understatement. However, difficult times may open doors to new possibilities. Businesses are changing...

Tuesday, August 4, 2020

Today more than half of all Americans use prepaid debit cards for personal use, compared to just 19% in 2008.¹ A prepaid debit card is established when an individual provides cash to a financial institution in exchange for a card...

Thursday, July 2, 2020

The Internal Revenue Service knows that many taxpayers have had a stressful spring. So, it has reset the federal tax deadline. You now have until July 15 to file your 1040 form. July 15 is also the deadline to pay any federal taxes...

Tuesday, June 9, 2020

If we examine how most generational wealth is made in this country, the options are narrowed down into three areas: Real Estate, Stock Market, and Life Insurance. Out of the three, life insurance is perhaps the cheapest way to leave...

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

The states are gradually starting to encourage businesses to open up again after being shut down for more than six weeks amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Many people, however, still have a lighter work week and can use the time to work on...

Wednesday, April 1, 2020

Have you ever had one of those months where everything breaks down? The refrigerator stops working, the dishwasher stops washing, and your family ends up on a first-name basis with the nurse at urgent care. On top of all of your...

Tuesday, February 4, 2020

I believe that what we do and put out in the universe comes back to us. One of the best things about building wealth is knowing that you now have the means necessary to give to others and causes. Giving, like milk, does the body good!...

Monday, November 4, 2019

The holiday shopping season is here! You will see reminders in every store you enter now up until Christmas! Black Friday shopping will be shortened this year, given that Thanksgiving falls on November 28th. Every year I ask my readers...

Monday, October 7, 2019

The word budget has become a dirty little word. Some personal finance experts call it a spending plan just because people hate the word budget. I suppose the word budget puts limits on your spending. Regardless of what we call it, "a...

Wednesday, September 4, 2019

The wealth gap is real! The retirement wealth gap between men and women brings me to tears. Study after study concludes that women are falling behind when it comes to preparing for retirement. This same conclusion was illustrated in a...

Tuesday, August 6, 2019

Going through a divorce is like a death. I haven't experienced one, but I have met with so many people who have gone down this road. The process can be exhausting, and there are many moving parts, especially if you have accumulated...

Tuesday, June 4, 2019

We have all heard the saying, it takes seven streams of income to become a millionaire. What exactly does this mean and how do you really define income? Does a person have to go out and get seven different jobs to create seven streams...

Tuesday, May 7, 2019

May 1st marked National College Decision Day! It was the deadline for students to confirm where they plan on spending the next four years, or so to pursue their higher education. Many high schools across the country have programs...

Tuesday, April 2, 2019

April is Financial Literacy Month and the month of growth and rebirth. Use this month to increase your personal finance knowledge. Start systematically investing and saving for your future. Systematic investing creates discipline.

Tuesday, March 5, 2019

I've read article after article and there is not cut and dry answer to the question, "What is the true divorce rate in the US?" According to Divorce Magazine, the divorce/annulment rate is 3.2 per 1000 total population (44 states...

Tuesday, February 5, 2019

Most of us are guilty of putting others before ourselves. When it comes to our paychecks, we are just as guilty. The first payments that come out of our hard earned paychecks go to "Uncle Sam", an unavoidable step if you work for an...

Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Happy New Year! I sincerely hope one of your resolutions for 2019 was to adopt a mindset of building wealth for now and in the future. One of the best ways to create future wealth is to place money in a retirement account so that it...

Monday, December 3, 2018

The holidays are here and so many of us will be enticed by all of the sales that will pop up until the first of the year. Then, in January, the credit card statements will arrive and we will suddenly realize the damage that was done...

Sunday, March 18, 2018

It's easy to feel overwhelmed when it comes to saving for retirement. Everyone has an opinion about which funds to select for your account. Even co-workers trade stories about which funds they've added to their retirement account....

Sunday, March 4, 2018

The deadline to file your 2017 individual taxes is right around the corner. You have until April 17, 2018, to get your individual tax return postmarked and in the mail. If you run out of time and don't have a chance to gather up all of...

Sunday, January 21, 2018

"Motives are Pure" It was exactly one year ago in January that I made the decision to open my own practice. As a matter of fact, I distinctly remember it being the Tuesday after Dr. King's holiday that I told myself, I'm flying solo. I...

Sunday, December 24, 2017

November marked the one year anniversary of my company OBN Wealth Advisors. Time truly flies when you are having fun! You almost forget about all of the hard work and steps it took to get you to the one year mark when you enjoy the...

Sunday, December 3, 2017

You've landed the dream job out of college, moved into your luxury apartment in the city, and weekends with friends sipping mimosa are more frequent than you care to count. You have a little time to get a handle on your finances...so...

Sunday, October 22, 2017

If you do a Google search and ask how much should you save for retirement, you will find hundreds of articles and opinions on this topic. For simplicity sake, let's just say, we as Americans have not saved enough for retirement. On...

Sunday, October 1, 2017

Last weekend, my husband and son went on their first college tour together. I wanted to go on the tour with them, but my husband wanted to utilize the road trip as male bonding time with our son, so I stayed home. Today, the topic of...

Sunday, September 17, 2017

Discussing death and dying is a very sensitive topic. People do not want to talk about it, let alone face it. Regardless of your income status, race, or religion, there is one thing that is certain in our lifetime. We are all going to...

Sunday, September 3, 2017

If you're thinking about starting a new business, you would be in good company. According to U.S. Small Business Administration, there are more than 28 million small businesses in the United States. Small businesses (defined as...

Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Keeping up with all of the acronyms in the financial world can be extremely confusing to the average consumer. Believe it or not, there are even people who work in the financial services industry who can't keep up with the meaning...

Sunday, August 6, 2017

Now that the boxes are unpacked and I have settled into my office, I am going to make time in my schedule to share with you on the first and third Sunday of each month personal finance topics that will hopefully enrich your life. I'm...

Saturday, February 18, 2017

If college were a party, then student loans are the hangover. Unfortunately, the “hair of the dog” won't cure this headache, but here are some ideas for managing your student loan debt. The programs listed are not intended...