Archive of Financial Articles
These pages are an archive of Financial Article posts from Hansen & Associates Financial Group, Inc. The Financial Articles bring you introductions to a variety of highly focused subjects along with sources and citations that make it easy for you to explore the subject further.
Social Security: Did You Hear What Just Happened?
Claiming Social Security Benefits Soon? If you want to claim Social Security benefits soon, keep a date & a number in mind. The date is April 30, 2016. The number is 62. Recent changes to the Social Security benefit rules have made that date and that number very...
Holiday Wrap-Up: A Look Back at 2015 Thus Far
The year in brief While the S&P 500 surprised to the upside in 2014 versus the projections of many analysts, it has performed below expectations so far in 2015. As this year began, not many Wall Street pros thought the index would tread water. The consensus forecast...
What Investors Can Be Thankful About
There is much to worry about when it comes to the world and the economy, but there is also much to be thankful for and to appreciate as we celebrate the holidays and await 2016.
Investment Management: 9 Reasons Why DIY Is Such a Risk
If you ever have the inkling to manage your investments on your own, that inkling is worth reconsidering. Do-it-yourself investment management is generally a bad idea for the retail investor for myriad reasons. Following are nine of them.
Comprehensive Financial Planning:
What It Is, Why It Matters
Your approach to building wealth should be built around your goals & values. Just what is “comprehensive financial planning?” As you invest and save for retirement, you will no doubt hear or read about it – but what does that phrase really mean? Just what does...
2015 Fall Financial Reminders
Here are some important things to note as the year comes to a close. As every calendar year ends, the window slowly closes on some notable financial deadlines and opportunities. Here are several to keep in mind before 2016 arrives. Don’t forget that IRA RMD. If you...
August 2015 Hansen & Associates Newsletter
Inflation and Hourly Wage Growth: Wage growth is an important leading metric of consumer behavior, as higher wages increase disposable income, which in turn drives more spending. The chart depicts nominal hourly wage growth and the inflation rate (represented by the consumer price index) since 2010. Both metrics are on a year-over-year basis, and averaged for 3 months in order to smooth out the monthly seasonality.
February 2015 Hansen & Associates Newsletter
Annual Asset Flows: Looking at where investor money is going may provide useful insight into what’s happening in a financial market. The image below illustrates annual flows for U.S. open-end mutual funds, divided by category: U.S. equity funds, international equity funds, and bond funds.