Our 2 Cents

Today Steve takes the wheel and steals the show! We discuss the big economic, “What-If?” and how the herding mentality of investors can really pull the markets in one direction. After the heat is over, it’s all about Food!
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US. Recession Chances Hit 27% Within Next 12 Months: Tracker (Bloomberg)
Behavioral Finance: Concepts, Examples and Why It’s Important (The Street)
The Best Dog Foods, According to Veterinarians (The Strategist)
How Do the New Plant-Based Burgers Stack Up? We Taste-Tested Them (The New York Times)
FedEx Completes First Commercial Drone Delivery (Transport Topics)

On today’s “shoe”, GE’s pensions follow United Airlines suit into a deep freeze. Next up is our Monthly Stock Market Review and finally, we talk about the elephant in the room: Saving for your retirement or college tuition.
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GE freezes worker pensions – what to do if your employer changes the terms of your retirement plan (MarketWatch)
The No. 1 highest paid, most in-demand job in every U.S. state (MarketWatch)
Monthly Market Review (SGL Financial)
Do You Save for College or for Retirement? What Parents Need to Know (Kiplinger)
When Efforts to Eat ‘Clean’ Become An Unhealthy Obsession (NPR)
‘Storm Area 51’ Fails to Materialize (NPR)

This week’s episode we discuss what FSAs and HSAs are; (Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts) and which one could be a better option for you. Then we dive into another one of our Listener’s Questions on after tax contributions and converting to a Roth. Is it quite that simple?

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· FSAs Vs. HSAs: Which is the Best Fit for You? (U.S. News)
· Federal Reserve’s interest-rate cuts hurt the economy by tamping down lending (MarketWatch)
· Listener Question – Erico After tax contributions inside of an IRA – can he convert to a Roth IRA?
· Women lag behind men in retirement savings in a big way, report shows (USA Today)
· Willis Tower owner is buying a majority stake in Great Wolf Resorts, which plans to expand its chain of water park lodges (Chicago Tribune)

On today’s show we introduce our new Monthly Market Update section to keep you ahead of the curve. Our runner up article showcases just how influential one small tweet can be and then we round our show up on how to keep your brain active in retirement years.
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How to keep your 401(k) running smoothly – no matter what (MarketWatch)
JPMorgan has created a ‘Volfefe Index’ to track how Trump’s tweets move markets (CNN)
Client Question – Amy -At our last economic event, Amy asked “Is it better to rent or to buy?”
Monthly Market Summary (SGL)
To Save Your Brain, Fill Your Calendar (AARP)

Today we look at some interesting, but obvious ways to destroy your retirement. Then, just in case you’re already doing a great job of ruining your retirement, we talk about 38 side hustles to earn extra cash. Finally, we'll tell you how to spend it on a weekend getaway in Grand Rapids, MI!
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10 money pits that can ruin your retirement (MarketWatch)
38 Ways to Earn Extra Cash in 2019 (Kiplinger)
2Q Annuity Sales Bust More Records (The Wealth Advisor)
Fall Weekend Getaway to Grand Rapids (Midwest Living)

On today’s show we see how the economy is edging closer to a recession and what that means for investors. Then we cover the idea of “cutting the cord” and finally we see how much of a mess Google Maps made.
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Here’s what was covered in this episode:
World Economy Edges Closer to a Recession as Trade Dread Deepens (Bloomberg)
Sentiment Investor Sentiment Survey (AAII)
The days of trying to haggle over your cable TV fee are gone (Yahoo Finance) 2020 Mid-Engined Corvette C8: Everything We Know (Motor1) Google Maps Leads about 100 Drivers Into a “Muddy Mess” in Colorado (NPR)

On today’s show we review the Federal Budget and what more spending means for the economy. Then we switch over to answer one of our listener’s question if she should lend money to a family member and finally, we question Chicago Mayor, Lori Lightfoots’ plan for a new casino.
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Here’s what was covered in this episode:
Federal budget would raise spending by $320 billion (The New York Times)
Listener Question – should I loan money to a family member? “Anna from Oak Brook”
Proving you deserve $20,000 from Equifax settlement will be nearly impossible (CNBC)
Am I Keeping Too Little in My Checking Account? (Money)
Lightfoot names five sites, all on South and West sides, as possible casino locations (Chicago Tribune)

This week’s episode we talk discuss how your kids can potentially destroy your retirement, gearing up for the big two-day sale on Amazon next week and then learning the basics of how to read trust and what all the legal jargon really means.Tune in now!
Here’s what was covered in this episode:
Don't Let the Kids Wreck Retirement (Kiplinger)
Amazon Prime Day 2019: Everything we know so far (Yahoo Finance)
A Beginner's Guide To Reading A Trust (Forbes)
16 Great Small Towns for Early Retirement (Kiplinger)
Illinois’ Gas Tax Hike: It’s Going to Hit More Than Motorists (Chicago Tribune)

Our 2 Cents – Episode #019
On today’s show this week, we keep things fun and joyous for our nations upcoming holiday, discuss how Financial Therapy really impacts your overall well-being and ponder on what happens if there’s a shortage of avocados!Tune in now!
Here’s what was covered in this episode:
Fun 4th of July facts (Acei Global)
Using Financial Therapy to Deal With Money Issues (Forbes)
We get more joyful as we age (Forbes)
Sales to Watch for on 4th of July (Yahoo Finance)
Avocado Prices Rising (Yahoo Finance)

Our 2 Cents – Episode #018
One third of the worlds oil flows through the checkpoint at The Strait of Hormuz in Iran; imagine what could happen to the economy if this “black swan” event continues.
On today’s episode, we look at what’s happening in Iran and how it can affect the stock market. Then we dive right into the worries and woes of a potential bear market on the horizon.
After that we discuss one of our listener’s question; Rick from Mount Prospect, IL want’s to know if now is the time to invest in the Cannabis Industry.
We wrap up the show by talking about the $22,393,460,288.22 debt our country is facing and what that means for you and your taxes.
Fun fact; Did you know, that in 1835, one of our nations Presidents footed the bill completely eliminating our nations debt?

Here’s what was covered in this episode: Will Iran Torpedo The Stock Market? Threats Multiply For The “Longest Bull Market Ever”https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffcamarda/2019/06/19/will-iran-torpedo-the-stock-market-threats-multiply-for-the-longest-bull-market-ever/#313f51bf607f (Forbes)
The Next Bear Market Is Coming: Is Your Retirement Portfolio Ready? https://www.forbes.com/sites/ericbrotman/2019/06/18/the-next-bear-market-is-coming-is-your-retirement-portfolio-ready/#71ceca557da4 (Forbes) Caller Question: Rick from Mount Prospect, IL- Is now the right time to invest in the cannabis industry?
Scientists Find Ancient Humans Used Weed 2,500 Years Ago, Toohttps://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/12/health/cannabis-anicent-dead-marijuana.html The New York Times)
The National Debt Is Still a Problemhttps://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/20/business/national-debt-trump.html (The New York Times) History of bear markets since 1929https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/history-of-bear-markets-since-1929 (Fox Business) With More Storms and Rising Seas, Which U.S. Cities Should Be Saved First?https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/19/climate/seawalls-cities-cost-climate-change.html (The New York Times) BMW Billionaire Heirs Say Their Lives Are Harder Than You Thinkhttps://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-06-20/bmw-billionaire-heirs-say-their-lives-are-harder-than-you-think (Bloomberg)