Frazier Allen: Domestic Stocks Hit All-Time Highs in August
Clarksville, TN – As summer comes to a close, the markets – as represented by the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Nasdaq Composite and the S&P 500 – reached new highs during August, putting all three major indices in uncharted territory.
Steady economic growth, rising consumer spending and improving corporate earnings coming in better than expected were all key factors in helping drive the market.
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Frazier Allen: The New Disruptors of Old Age
Nashville, TN – The traditional wisdom among Silicon Valley’s youthful technorati is to design for what you know—texting your friends in Europe for free (WhatsApp), renting out your bedroom to make extra cash (Airbnb), finding a romantic partner without leaving your house (Tinder). But a handful of entrepreneurs are now looking beyond the millennial market to reach a new demographic with their own needs — baby boomers.
“You’ve got all these 20-something engineering types who are beginning to realize there are older adults who can make use of these products to promote health and well-being,” said Andrew Scharlach, Professor of Aging at the University of California, Berkeley. “What we are beginning to see is the marriage of product developers with the end users that they previously had not been aware of.”
From smart phones to smart homes, emerging technology is changing the way Americans approach aging — and Baby Boomers welcome the advances.
Frazier Allen: Four Smart Withdrawal Strategies
Clarksville, TN – It’s official. You’re retired. As in, your days are yours alone. No early morning meetings. No deadlines. No paycheck.
Wait. What?
Without a job, you’ll no longer receive a salary. Something you’ve likely relied on every couple of weeks for the past 40 to 50 years.
It’s unlikely that Social Security alone will be enough to replace that flow of income and fully support your standard of living in retirement, which means it’s time to start drawing down the retirement income you’ve saved so diligently over the years.
Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance gives tips to protect you savings.
Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of September 4th, 2016
Clarksville, TN – The August Employment Report was a little light of expectations. Nonfarm payrolls rose by 151,000 (median forecast: +180,000), with a net revision to June and July of only -1,000. Private-sector payrolls rose by 126,000 – a +150,000 average over the last six months (vs. +221,000 in 2015 and +240,000 in 2014).
The unemployment rate held steady at 4.9% (vs. 5.1% a year ago). Average weekly hours fell (and hours for July were revised lower). Average hourly earnings rose just 0.1%, up 2.4% y/y.
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Frazier Allen: Social Security Myths and Misconceptions
Clarksville, TN – There’s no doubt about it. Filing for Social Security can be daunting.
On top of all that, there’s a ton of information – and misinformation – to weed through, as well as the need for some calculations based on several variables. Your benefits depend on your age, how long you’ve worked, what you earned, your marital status and number of dependents.
Seems like you have to factor in everything but your IQ. So to help, we offer some common misconceptions as well as some guidance on ways to get the most from your hard earned retirement benefits.
What you don’t know you don’t know and what you can do about it.
BFS Insurance Group named 2016 “Best Practices Agency”
Clarksville, TN – BFS Insurance Group has been designated as one of the top independent insurance agencies in the United States in the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) “Best Practices” Study Group for 2016.
Every year, IIABA and Reagan Consulting, an Atlanta-based management consulting firm, join forces to study the country’s leading agencies in six revenue categories. The agencies are selected through a comprehensive nomination and qualifying process and submit extensive financial and operational data for review.
BFS Insurance Group
Shiloh Industries becomes Clarksville-Montgomery County Green Certified
Montgomery County, TN – Shiloh Industries is the newest Clarksville-Montgomery County Green Certified business.
Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett, City of Clarksville Chief of Administration Charlie Gentry, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce Melinda Shepard and CMC Green Certification Steering Committee Members Daryl Pater, Tim Swaw, and Bill Harpel came out to share their appreciation with Shiloh’s leadership and staff.
Shiloh Industries Green Ribbon cutting ceremony.
Frazier Allen: Can Debt be used to your advantage?
Clarksville, TN – “Debt” tends to call to mind a negative connotation. But, when used strategically, certain kinds can serve as useful financial tools, affording you access to more liquidity and potential growth down the road.
Before setting out to pay your debt off as quickly as possible, consider the various factors at play. You may find that the long-term advantages of holding certain types of debt can outweigh the benefits of paying it off sooner, so be sure to discuss the benefits and considerations with a knowledgeable financial professional.
For some, smart borrowing can be a useful tool, but it’s not one-size-fits-all.
Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of August 28th, 2016
Clarksville, TN – In her Jackson Hole speech, Fed Chair Janet Yellen was not expected to provide any significant clues about what will happen at the September 20-21 policy meeting.
Surprise! Yellen provided a strong hint that the central bank is a lot closer to raising short-term interest rates. Yellen said, “I believe the case for an increase in the federal funds rate has strengthened in recent months.” Take that in context with other evidence.
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Frazier Allen: Eight Estate Documents Everyone Needs
Clarksville, TN – Estate planning helps take the decision-making stress off you and your family. Having documents in place will allow you to define life’s big decisions, including how you would like your medical care and finances managed. Family members and healthcare providers will be clear of what you want if you are unable to speak for yourself.
We can help you navigate the process and coordinate with an estate planning attorney to make sure your updated documents align with your financial plan.
Make sure your estate is in order with these eight documents.
