Government Debt Explained: Contextualizing $34 TrillionAs headlines frequently alarm us with dire predictions about soaring national debt levels, it’s crucial to approach these discussions with a sense of perspective. The $34 trillion U.S. government debt figure is indeed monumental, but it’s essential to understand it in the broader context of our economy's size and growth. I just gave a presentation that aims to cut through the noise, offering... READ MORE
WJ Charts of the MonthWelcome to our latest monthly publication, "WJ Charts of the Month." This comprehensive slide deck is designed to keep you informed about the latest financial events and data, presented in a concise and easily digestible format. In this edition, we cover several financial topics including: Japan Hits All Time High After 34 Years! Bitcoin Jumps After ETF Approval The Month of Nvidia New Chart! How... READ MORE
Learning to Accept UncertaintyBenjamin Franklin has a frequently referenced quote, "The only certainties in life are Death and Taxes," which is a very true statement, but I feel that he may have left out another certainty we face: uncertainty. One thing for certain is, there will always be uncertainty about what the future will bring. We often hear from investors, "I'll invest my cash when things are a little more certain."... READ MORE
10 Predictions for 2024"It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future." - Yogi Berra Around now is the time we at WJ are bombarded with end of year recaps, and next year’s predictions from various investment firms. Though we know these predictions will almost certainly be wrong, it's important to get a read on what the general mood is amongst the investment community. It tells you what may be priced... READ MORE
Christmas in EuropeThis past December, my wife and I decided to embark on a trip to the infamous Christmas markets in western Europe. Our itinerary was to go from Cologne, Germany, to Belgium then to Paris, France. With each destination having its own unique attractions, we were eager to begin our journey. One thing that I was very appreciative of in Europe was the Eurail Pass. The Eurail Pass is a train pass where... READ MORE
The Ongoing Story: Inflation and the Federal ReserveAs 2023 wraps up, we discuss what has happened this year and what we expect in 2024 in this WJNotes. We also describe trades to be placed over the next month. A lot of activity and little progress summarizes markets over the past few years. Balanced stock and bond portfolios are mostly flat and only a few broad-based indexes are at new highs. Why? We blame inflation. Inflation peaked at 9.0% in... READ MORE
October 2023 Investor LuncheonA panel discussion with WJ Advisors focusing on navigating wealth in 2023 and taking a closer look at investment insights and financial strategies. Click Here to Watch on YouTube... READ MORE
Redefining the Narrative: The Brighter Side of Financial NewsIf you haven’t already, please read the first part of this series which discusses how today’s news presentation leads to pessimism and an overall misunderstanding of how the world is today. This blog is going to put some meat on those bones, and offer some data-driven insights that contrast with popular financial news narratives. Part 3 in this series will cover more social issues that are... READ MORE
2024 SECURE Act 2.0 ChangesLast year, Congress passed a new tax bill called “The SECURE Act 2.0” that carried a long list of changes to the tax code. Of these changes, there are some impactful provisions that go into effect January 1, 2024. Below is a list of some of those provisions that will go into effect. New Required Minimum Distribution Age If you have started to take RMDs, you will have to continue to take them... READ MORE
Bundling for the New YearAs the holiday season rapidly approaches, many of us are considering bundled gift ideas for our loved ones. During the upcoming sales events, people often shop at large stores to take advantage of the best deals and 'bundle' their purchases to save money on gifts. Like these savings on gift giving, one can also benefit from “bundling” their deductions even if they are using the standard... READ MORE
|