Happy Labor Day - 3 Day weekend - End of Summer, etc.!
Along with all of you – we will be taking Monday, September 2nd off to enjoy the Labor Day Weekend. While it is not quite the end of summer yet, we are already bombarded with Halloween decorations and even Christmas items filling the aisles in Costco. Nonetheless, we are kind of excited here in Napa as Costco is opening a store on Oct. 18, cutting 20 minutes off the travel time on shopping trips.
For many families, school is back in full swing and for some this may remind you of concern about how college expenses are going to be paid. There’s plenty of alphanumerics to weigh through: UTMA, UGMA, 529 plans, etc. If you need the picture brightened, give us a call.
The S&P 500 started August at 5346 and as of this writing (8/26) it is hanging around 5600, about a 5.6% increase for the month. The Fed is making noises of lowering interest rates in September; which should be good for the Stock Market, for home buyers, and for businesses needing loans to help them grow.
September is also Life Insurance Awareness Month – bring out the fireworks and candles! Probably doesn’t sound like much, BUT life insurance is a key component of financial planning. If you haven’t looked at your policies lately and wonder what you are paying or maybe if beneficiaries should change, give us a call. We are happy to provide a second opinion. Frank Stahlschmidt, our insurance specialist brings more than 40 year of experience in the life insurance business.
And this year, we are all preparing for the upcoming elections. After many rah-rah speeches, we have two clear candidates, but no real policy direction…maybe in the debates (if they can decide whether or not to have live mics). As a financial advisor, I will be listening for how we are going to balance the budget AND reduce debt. After doing this for 30 years, I have yet to find the client who, like the government, can eternally increase debt and go back to their ‘boss’ (taxpayers) to get more money.
Lots going on, so try to take a few minutes and enjoy California Late Summer weather and breathe deeply!