Three Day weekend coming up (we are closed Monday July 5)! What shall we celebrate?
Independence Day – July 4 – even without fireworks a great day to celebrate. I have memories of the war in Vietnam. Luckily, just too young to be drafted but I remember the nightly reports of the action a world away. The battles that have been fought in the name of freedom and independence. Those millions who have given their lives and millions who continue to serve so that we can be free. Overwhelming. Perhaps this weekend we can teach diplomacy to our families for just a few minutes in between parades and BBQ. How to find the common ground with decency and decorum instead of name calling.
Perhaps you will look at the year as being half over. We started the year at 3726 in the S&P 500 and have added over 500 points. As of this writing we stand at 4281, a 15% increase. Now it has not been all up and we continue to struggle with words like inflation as the Fed wrings its’ hands over interest rates. I think the saw tooth shaped market will continue with good news like employment and caution like are we too high? I am reminded that the Wright Brothers first flight was 10 feet off the ground and 120 feet in length. Height is relative and we will continue to reach new ones, over time.
Another celebration can be the loosening up of COVID Restrictions. At Harvest Financial, we are all vaccinated and willing to hold in person meetings with or without masks. Of course, we can also hold meetings via Zoom or on the phone, just let us know your preference. We have talked about returning to normal, but normal is not a standard the country stands for. I refer back to the Wright Brothers and the flight at Kitty Hawk. Flight did not stop there. President Biden set a goal of having 70% of the country vaccinated by July 4. Whether we hit the mark right on or not, let’s celebrate that from a ‘bug’ that appeared in early 2020 or late 2019 depending on the story you follow, we developed a vaccine, distributed it and covered well over half the country in 18 months. This is FANTASTIC.
Last but not least, where are you in your personal goals? Financial, weight loss, reading or exercise. If your response is ‘I am over half way there or I completed it.’ Congratulations! If your response is; ‘Oh yeah, those things, I forgot.’ Congratulations! You can start today and have six months to get it done. Don’t kick yourself for not starting, kick start today! We all procrastinate, forget stuff or get re-directed, but the great thing is we can start right where we are. Pollyannish, you bet, but the bruises from the alternative are not worth it.
I know you’ll find a reason to celebrate. Either from my list or of your own making. Whoop it up, just no fireworks and we’ll be back on Tuesday, July 6.
The Standard & Poor's 500 (S&P 500) is an unmanaged group of securities considered to be representative of the stock market in general. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.