Author: troyashbacher

John Williams, president and chief executive officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, speaks during an Economic Club of New York (ECNY) event in New York, US, on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025.David Dee Delgado | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesCommunication at the Federal Reserve, particularly at the highest levels, rarely happens by accident.Messages that come out of the top echelon, particularly the chair, vice chair and the powerful New York Fed president, are measured carefully, calibrated between delivering clear ideas about policy without causing undue reaction in financial markets.That’s why a speech Friday from the current New York Fed…

Major U.S. equities indexes gained Friday afternoon as comments from a Federal Reserve official boosted confidence in the likelihood of an interest rate cut in December. The Dow climbed 1.4%, the S&P 500 rose 1.2%, and the Nasdaq was up 1.1%. Ross Stores (ROST) was the best-performing stock in the S&P 500 after the off-price retailer beat earnings and revenue estimates and raised its outlook as bargain-hunting shoppers flocked to its stores. Its shares jumped 7%, leaving them on track to close at a record high. Shares of Gap (GAP) popped 8% after the company behind Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy,…

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When giving meets innovation, philanthropy transforms from a year-end transaction into a powerful force for ongoing impact.In this episode of The WealthStack Podcast, host Shannon Rosic sits down with Sarah Angello, co-founder of Daffodil, to discuss how technology is modernizing charitable giving and helping advisors weave generosity into their clients’ financial planning. Sarah shares how Daffodil’s platform bridges wealth management and philanthropy, the rise of donor-advised funds and the next wave of “always-on giving” powered by artificial intelligence and data-driven insights.Key takeaways:How Daffodil turns charitable giving into a continuous part of wealth management rather than a one-time transactionWhy integrating philanthropy conversations…

If you’ve been waiting for lower mortgage rates after last week’s rise, today just might be your day.The average interest rate on a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage dropped to 6.04% APR, according to rates provided to NerdWallet by Zillow. This is 24 basis points lower than yesterday and 15 basis points lower than a week ago. (See our chart below for more specifics.) A basis point is one one-hundredth of a percentage point.A significant drop is eye-catching, but bear in mind that you should consider mortgage interest rates’ overall direction, not just what’s going on today. That said, if you’re liking…

One of the most common surprises for new Medicare beneficiaries is discovering the gaps in coverage for routine care. You may have had employer-sponsored health insurance for decades that included benefits for dental, vision, and hearing. It is a reasonable assumption that Medicare, our nation’s health program for seniors, would also cover these essential services.Find Medicare Plans in 3 Easy StepsLet us help you navigate your Medicare journey Unfortunately, this is not the case. Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) was designed primarily for hospital and medical services. It does not cover most routine dental, vision, or hearing (DVH) care. This leaves many beneficiaries facing significant and unexpected…

When you have questions or need assistance regarding anything insurance-related, who do you think to reach out to? Chances are, you will think of a licensed insurance agent or broker.Sure, you may reach out directly to an insurance company or ask a friend, but at the end of all those roadways, you are left with one constant — if you want to get accurate insurance information, you look for a well-educated, licensed insurance professional.Unfortunately, a new law in California is removing from the equation some of the required education for insurance professionals. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance…

Thanksgiving is one of our favorite holidays. I mean, who wouldn’t love delicious recipes enjoyed around the table with family? Here are some of my favorite 5 ingredient (or less) Thanksgiving recipes! Table of Contents Toggle Mashed Sweet PotatoesThe Easiest Healthy Cranberry Sauce: 3 IngredientsShredded Brussels Sprouts with BaconTurkey and Feta Quesadillas Using Leftover TurkeyBacon Wrapped Green Beans2 Ingredient Chocolate Truffles RecipeMashed Turnips RecipeCranberry Brie Phyllo CupsMaple Glazed CarrotsMore Thanksgiving Recipes Mashed Sweet Potatoes Photo Credit: Strength & Sunshine I think we can all agree that mashed potatoes are one of the best dinner sides. This kid-friendly, vegan mashed sweet…

If you live in a market where home prices are hovering above $500,000, this is the episode for you. You’ve all told us loud and clear: real estate investing is tough when you live in an expensive market. Many investors feel like they can’t buy a single property, let alone scale to financial freedom. We hear you, and today we’re giving you multiple strategies that work in high-priced markets.We’re not only showing you which investments work, but sharing the cash flow “superchargers” that routinely make rental property investors even more money in markets that many assume won’t work.We have different…

About 20% of Americans have a pension, while 10% have $1 million or more saved. Combine those two percentages and only 2% of the population has both, leaving them in a unique situation when it comes to retirement planning.If you are in the 2% Club, congratulations! You’ve done the hard work and saved diligently. And because you’ve done so, you need a tailored strategy to protect and enjoy the wealth you’ve earned.If you are looking for more information beyond this article, then you can request a free copy of my book The 2% Club. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger…