Posts by Safeguard Investment
The War on Oil Prices
As with any major global conflict, we learn things. The pandemic taught the U.S. the importance of reshoring manufacturing jobs, so we aren’t beholden to other nations, like China, for many of our consumer goods, from medicines to electronics.1 One of the key lessons emerging from the Russia-Ukraine conflict is self-reliance for energy sources, such…
Read MoreThe Value of Multiple Retirement Income Streams
Retirement planning was historically a little easier. For instance, the average life expectancy in 1950 was 68 years old.1 If you retired at age 62, your retirement plan might need only six years of retirement income. Additionally, with the decline of defined benefit pension plans, only 14% of private industry employees receive a pension today.2 Since…
Read MoreNot All Fiduciaries Are Created Equal
Written by Investment Advisor, Rick Rivera The word “fiduciary” has popped up a lot lately in commercials, in print ads, and in general conversation regarding financial advisors. But what exactly is a fiduciary — and how do you know you’re working with the right one for you? Definition of Fiduciary Investopedia defines a fiduciary as…
Read MoreHow Could Inflation Affect Your Retirement?
In recent months, Procter & Gamble has raised prices for its Tide, Gain, Downy and Bounce product portfolio. It recently announced that this spring, consumers also will start paying more for many of its personal health care brands. The company is hardly alone. Nestle, Danone, Unilever and other consumers goods giants say their prices will…
Read MoreLow Supply Increases Demand
Across the board, we’re seeing the capitalist principles of supply and demand both drive and curb U.S. economic activity. As more people have emerged from their hermit-like existence throughout the past year and a half, consumer spending is shifting from goods to services. For example, the services industry (e.g., restaurants, travel, hospitality) is on the…
Read MoreWho Wants A Job?
An important economic driver for America — working consumers — is dwindling. For example, the Denver International Airport recently hosted a concessions job fair to fill around 1,000 openings at the airport for jobs at stores, restaurants, and other businesses. Only 100 people attended the fair.1 Money could be one issue. In Georgia, Kentucky,…
Read MorePets and Pet Insurance
One of the silver linings coming from the pandemic is that when pet shelters had to close temporarily during lockdowns, a call went out for foster homes so animals would continue receiving the necessary attention. Many of those pets were so loved that they were adopted rather than returned to shelters. In other cases,…
Read MoreSavings Strategies
Some people have no trouble saving money — they stash away any cash they don’t need, and their account grows and grows. These people usually aren’t very materialistic and don’t have a lot of goals that require money to fulfill. That’s a wonderful trait, in some ways. However, there’s nothing wrong with setting up…
Read MoreHow Inflation Risk Can Affect You
Inflation is a steady rise in the price of goods and services over time and actually signals both good and bad economic conditions. On one hand, as prices rise, someone living on a fixed income cannot purchase the same amount of goods, so they tend to reduce spending or buy cheaper alternatives. On the other…
Read MoreMarket Thoughts: Looking Ahead and Abroad
The mid-year U.S. economic recovery numbers look strong. On Wall Street, analysts predict that our economy will expand by trillions of dollars and create 2 million good-paying jobs throughout the next 10 years. However, despite nearly 1 million jobs reported in July alone, the White House cautioned that the resurgence in COVID-19 cases among unvaccinated…
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