We hope this finds you in good spirits and that you had an enjoyable and reflective Memorial Day weekend. As we transition into the month of June, I would like to take a moment to extend my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you who has served or is currently serving in the armed forces of our great nation. Your dedication, courage, and commitment to protecting our freedoms are truly commendable and deserve recognition. Furthermore, I would like to acknowledge the i

Market Update April brought a strong rebound across markets following a more volatile first quarter. Despite continued geopolitical headlines and ongoing uncertainty surrounding inflation and interest rates, investors responded positively to resilient economic data and improving market sentiment. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained approximately +7.1% during the month, while the Nasdaq rebounded even more sharply, advancing roughly to +15.7% as technology and growth-orien

We hope you're enjoying the early signs of spring. In Northern Virginia, the cherry blossoms are in bloom—a clear sign that we are turning the corner from winter into a busier spring season. With spring break wrapping up for many families, this time of year often brings a return to routines, outdoor activities, and full schedules. Down in Georgia, spring brings a few familiar constants: azaleas in full bloom, a steady layer of yellow pine pollen covering everything in sight,

We hope this finds you well and that you are able to maintain a sense of calm amid the rapidly changing news cycle. This February recap will differ slightly from our usual updates as it includes several housekeeping notes, important tax information, and broader forward-looking insights. Recent Geopolitical Events: The month of March began with significant global developments, notably the United States' entry into an unplanned military conflict with Iran. This has contributed

We hope you and your family well as the New Year begins. Our discussions and communications with clients throughout the month revealed that many were either recovering from the flu or dealing with upper respiratory issues. We hope you have avoided these or are on the path to recovery soon. The recent Arctic temperatures have not helped the situation, and with ice still present weeks after its arrival, please exercise caution while traveling. In January, the overall marke

Only one third of retirees are comfortable spending their retirement money! Most would rather live off Social Security, pensions, or income from part-time work, rather than spend down their nest egg. It is a delicate balance in retirement - you don't want to compromise your quality of life, but neither do you want to run out of money! Derek with Three Leaf Financial specializes in helping people change their mindset in retirement. He explains his action plan to Erin Kennedy:

Can you live on $4,000 a month? According to The Motley Fool, median monthly income for retirees is just over $4,100 a month. But determining whether YOU can live on that depends on where you live, your expenses, and your other income sources. And as Chad with Three Leaf Financial explains to Erin Kennedy, it also depends on: Location & cost of living Monthly expenses & lifestyle choices Other income sources (Social Security, pensions, investments) Inflation & longevity To l

We hope you had a wonderful holiday season and that your New Year is off to a great start! Our family enjoyed the holidays, although, like many others, we couldn't escape the flu this year. Channing started feeling unwell on Christmas day, and soon the rest of us followed suit. Despite the illness, we cherished the holidays and appreciated the much-needed break. As we move past a year full of significant events, we'll review the December year-end market performance and look

You've spent decades building your nest egg. Then, when you retire you need a plan to stop saving and start spending, but not too much that you risk running out of money. As Derek Sauerwine with ‪@ThreeLeafFinancial‬ explains to Erin Kennedy, it's a delicate balance that requires you to consider these 6 variables: A Plan to Minimize Taxes Make the Right Decision about Social Security Benefits Choose the Right Pension Payout Balance Guaranteed Income and Long-Term Growth Pla

Big changes could be coming to your 401(k). A new Executive Order paves the way for riskier assets, like private equity, real estate, and even crypto, to be included in workplace retirement plans. But is this a good move for everyday investors? Chad Gough with Three Leaf Financial and Erin Kennedy break down the pros and cons, including: * What private equity really is * The risks vs. rewards of alternative investments * Why fees matter—and who really benefits * Who (if

We hope that you enjoyed your Thanksgiving holiday. Our family appreciated quality time together, sharing turkey and good company. As we prepare for the upcoming holiday season, we send our warmest wishes for health and happiness to you and those close to you. Just as giving a gift brings joy, November’s markets offered more of a “grinchy” feel than that of joy. November was a turbulent month for major indexes; the S&P 500 dropped -5.7% from its October high—the biggest dec

We hope you are well and that your preparations for Thanksgiving are going smoothly. On another note, we deeply appreciate all those who have served or are currently serving our country—your dedication and that of your families is invaluable. Happy Veteran’s Day to all! In October, equities faced several hurdles but still achieved their sixth straight month of gains, showing resilience in the face of the government shutdown and ongoing trade uncertainty. Robust third-quarter

We hope you are doing well and enjoying the recent cooler fall days. As the leaves begin to change, we are looking forward to our annual...

We hope you're doing well and enjoying the cooler temperatures as much as we are. The arrival of cooler weather often reminds all of us...

For the month of July , the overall market indexes advanced on the strength of trade-related developments and many of the second-quarter...

We hope you are well. With the 4th of July behind us, we’re moving into the second half of 2025. It’s been a busy year for our family--...

We hope you're doing well and that you had an enjoyable Memorial Day weekend, along with a great end to May. In the May Summary, I always...