Inflation and DODGE
Brian S. Wesbury, Chief Economist Robert Stein, Deputy Chief Economist Date: 2/24/2025From our friends at First Trust Advisors:We have called inflation “political kryptonite” because it is so damaging to politicians. Clearly, inflation played a role in the 2024 election. So now that President Trump sits in the Oval Office, his opponents have been trying hard to link anything and everything in his agenda to inflation.The first two theories involved (1) higher tariffs and (2) deportations of illeg
The Effective Use of Tariffs and Their Impact on Inflation
Tariffs, taxes imposed on imported goods, have been a significant tool in economic policy for centuries. They serve various purposes, from protecting domestic industries to generating government revenue. Despite their controversial nature, tariffs have been used effectively in many instances without necessarily causing sustained inflation.Historical ContextHistorically, tariffs were a primary source of revenue for governments. In the United States, for example, tariffs accounted for a significan
Tariffs!
You cannot turn on the TV these days without hearing the liberal media (and some conservative) hand wringing over the incoming president’s comments about global trade. There are absolutely ZERO in the media that know anything that will happen but that doesn’t stop them from talking about how Trumps polies may end the world,,,or at best, end free trade. But what are tariffs? And why are we hearing that they are so bad? I thought an overview of what a tariff is was worth exploring and I also thin
What Happened in 2024
From PBS.orghttps://www.pbs.org/newshour/economy/how-the-stock-market-defied-expectations-in-2024-by-the-numbers
2024 Market Review
Looking back at the end of 2023 few market pundits predicted any positive reruns for the US markets. Yet the U.S. stock market experienced a remarkable surge in 2024, with the S&P 500 achieving a total return of almost 25%, marking its best two-year performance since 1997-1998 (according to the Financial Times). This impressive growth can be attributed to several key factors, including favorable interest rates, bond yields, inflation trends, and the political landscape shaped by President Donald
I quit my job??!!
Should I roll my 401k into an IRA rollover or???Changing jobs or just deciding it’s time to retire are stressful periods. Making matters worse are questions about how to manage the assets that you may have accumulated over a long period of your life. Deciding whether to roll your 401(k) into an IRA, or to leave it where it is are significant financial decisions. And those decisions can impact your retirement savings and your future. Here are some key factors to consider when making this decis
When you are in debt stop spending money.
Most sane people get the above statement, we dutifully bring in income and thoughtfully spend on what we can. Housing, health, food and if we have a little extra, we buy things that we would call discretionary items. We borrow only what we feel we can pay back in a short period of time, and we try to be responsible. If we spend a little extra one month, we cut back the next. Unfortunately, our government is run by lifelong politicians who in general have never worked a day of their lives in the
When you are right you are right!
A note from AB’s trading desk about interest rates.AllianceBernstein Template – Servicing & AnnouncementShould you like to discuss bonds, or any investments please feel free to give us a call. 1-847-474-1400.Quantum Private Wealth LLC. is an investment adviser located in Tampa, Florida. Quantum Private Wealth LLC. is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Registration of an investment adviser does not imply any specific level of skill or training and does not constitute an
Inheritance?
Growing up, the idea of receiving an inheritance from my parents was never a consideration—it simply wasn’t expected. However, it appears that today’s younger generations anticipate inheriting from their deceased parents.A recent study by Northwestern Mutual reveals that younger generations are not only expecting but sometimes relying on an inheritance from their parents, whereas older generations seem less inclined to leave one behind.The survey, which included nearly 4,600 adults, showed that
How to put a block on your Credit
Cyber warfare. Data theft. Data breach. Identity theft.We all hear the stories…many of us believe it will never happen to us. But cyber criminals are not like us. They work continuously, don’t care if it’s midnight, Sunday or your cousin’s wedding day. They don’t care about you beyond what your personal digital data can get them. They want your data to sell to other criminals who will use it to defraud and steal.Cyber criminals are scum bags. Simple. And the only way to make their job mo