If you’ve been holding your breath for another cut in interest rates, it’s probably time to let go. For five long years now, the Federal Reserve has been waiting for inflation to drop below its target of 2% – only to be continually disappointed. The Fed’s easy money policy in response to the Covid pandemic sparked a huge surge in consumer prices. Then, just as inflation was beginning to ease, Russia invaded Ukraine. Last year brought President Trump’s global tariffs. Now the

The crisis-of-the-moment – unless of course it’s changed again since I wrote this sentence  – is oil. The Iran war is causing a major disruption in the flow of oil around the world, driving up the price of crude, gasoline, and jet fuel. In the best case, we can expect a lot more uncertainty until the conflict gets resolved – and let’s not forget that the U.S. is much less vulnerable to oil shortages today thanks to increased domestic production and technology. But until thing

The U.S. has attacked Iran and Venezuela this year. Would it be smart to invest in oil companies? The tariffs aren’t going away. Is it time to switch to international stocks? No one knows what will happen in the November elections. Should I sell everything now and just wait it out? There’s nothing like scary headlines to make you second-guess your investment strategy. There’s also nothing wrong with being concerned – even afraid – of what’s going on the world these days. What

As with nearly every issue of Wealth and Wisdom,  we begin with hot financial topics that are making news and transition into items designed to help you in the long run – or in some cases just make you feel better. There is plenty in today’s headlines to make you nervous. And when you think about it, I suppose there always is. But the less time you give to current events – once you scan them – the more time you’ll have to focus on the things that matter most in the long run.

This month, Mike covered the basics: timeless investment principles, managing risk, setting smart goals, paying for health care, and more. Whether you’re getting a financial start in life – or need some helpful reminders – you’ll find ideas you can use in this one-hour presentation. Be a part of the #TrueWealth movement. Follow Brown Family Wealth Advisors on Facebook  and LinkedIn .

It looks as if tariffs will be with us for a while longer. Despite a Supreme Court rebuke and members of Congress who seem reluctant to run on the issue this November, President Trump is pressing on. Two things seem unlikely for the time being, however: (1) relief from rising consumer prices caused by the tariffs; and (2) refunds for the businesses that have been paying them. All of this has made the financial markets choppy lately. But if that bothers you, step back and reme

Keeping more of what's yours at tax time Show notes: It’s hard enough making your money last as long as you do once you retire... and it’s even harder to do... when you’re paying too much in taxes... In today’s episode of the Help Me Retire Podcast...  consider the following three strategies to help you stop paying more to the IRS... than you have to... This is the Help Me Retire Podcast…  with your host… Mike Brown… Senior Wealth Advisor with Raymond James Financial Services

Are you expecting a big tax refund this year? The IRS says the average tax filer received $3,151 back last year – and analysts predict refunds could be as much as $1,000 higher this tax season. How to spend an extra thousand dollars to make your life better: Pay down your credit cards or other high-interest debts Build up an emergency reserve fund ($1,000 is a great start) Fund an IRA or Roth IRA Make some home or car repairs you’ve been putting off Invest in your own career

Retirement today often lasts 25 to 30 years — sometimes longer. That’s wonderful news if you’re healthy and active, but it also creates new challenges: how to make your income last, how to stay healthy, and how to preserve your independence. A longevity plan  is more than just a financial projection. It’s a holistic strategy for living well — financially, physically, and emotionally — over what may just be the longest chapter of your life. 1. Living longer means planning smar

Here’s a story of three billionaires. Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, once called Warren Buffett and asked him this question: “You’re one of the wealthiest guys in the world, and your investment thesis is so simple. Why doesn’t anyone copy you?”   To which Buffett replied without hesitation: “Because no one wants to get rich slow.” The third billionaire is featured in our third item below. Elon Musk apparently believes that artificial intelligence is so powerful that one d

Your way to True Wealth Show notes: True Wealth... is when you never have to work for money again... when your money is working harder for you... than you did for it... How do you get there? Saving... investing... and getting out of debt... And in today’s episode of The Help Me Retire Podcast... I’m going to show you how... This is the Help Me Retire Podcast…  with your host… Mike Brown… Senior Wealth Advisor with Raymond James Financial Services… and head of Brown Family We

Four interesting new trends are emerging now – two worth cheering, the other two to be concerned about. Some good news : The Centers for Disease Control says life expectancy in the U.S. hit a record high in 2024 – thanks to lower death rates for heart disease, cancer, drug overdoses, and Covid. A child born in the U.S. today has a life expectancy of 79 years. Not-so-good : That child’s parents are more likely to lose their jobs today as major employers – Amazon, UPS, Dow, Hom

Here’s my one big, bold prediction for 2026: Something is going to happen this year that makes you question your investments. I don’t know exactly what it will be, and I don’t know when it will happen. But I’m confident about this much: at some point, you’ll see a headline, hear a prediction, or watch the markets for a few days and feel that little knot in your stomach that says, “Am I still doing the right thing with my money?” That moment is what this article is about. Beca

What’s sending gold prices through the roof? What’s behind the uptick in market volatility we saw in January? Both are connected to how the rest of the world sees us these days, which is clearly reflected in the value of the U.S. dollar . The dollar has fallen more than 12% in value vs. global currencies in the past year – a four-year low. President Trump said last week he was not concerned about a weakening dollar, arguing that it helps U.S. manufacturers and exporters by ma

How to declutter your finances Show notes: All right... if you’ve had enough with all the papers you don’t know whether to keep... all the account statements... important notices you get in the mail every day... the legal documents you don’t know where to file... If you’re ready to get serious... about getting rid of some financial clutter... If you’re ready to rid yourself of the mental clutter that comes with it... Well, don’t hit pause... I’m about to share with you... a s

The financial markets continue to absorb much of the uncertainty we’re experiencing these days. And judged the final numbers, 2025 will be remembered as a decent year by historical standards. Consumer inflation was 2.7% in December, down from a high of 3.0% in September. That’s still well above the Fed’s 2.0% target, and prices for essential items remain stubbornly high. Thanks to rising food prices, a jump in health insurance costs, runaway home prices, and slower income gro

If you plan to retire in 2026 – or just want to be a big step closer – now’s the moment to line up a few practical projects you can chip away at over the next twelve months. Don’t think “perfect plan.” Think “progress.” Pick three to start in the first quarter, then add more as you build momentum. 1. Put your retirement date in writing. Circle a target year (even a ballpark) and sketch out the basics: monthly spending  for housing, travel, grandkids, hobbies. Then list your i

This is the time of year when we pay far too much attention to market predictions – and far too little attention to what those experts were forecasting just one year ago. Wall Street strategists are almost universally bullish on the market’s prospects for 2026, caught up in the prospect of falling interest rates, rising corporate earnings, and the promise of artificial intelligence to change our lives for the better. The Wall Street Journal  points out that the S&P 500 has cl

Expect the unexpected this year Show notes: You want a prediction for 2026? Okay... I’ll give you one... Something’s going to happen this year... that’s going to make you second-guess what you’re doing with your investments... I don’t know what exactly it will be... or when it will happen... but you need to be ready for it... Spend the next few minutes with me... and you will be... This is the Help Me Retire Podcast…  with your host… Mike Brown… Senior Wealth Advisor with Ray

Happy New Year! If 2026 is the year you want to get serious about retiring, you’ll want to see my latest client briefing webinar: Your 2026 Game Plan . We’ve gotten a lot of very positive feedback on this presentation, and I think you’ll find some helpful ideas for getting this year off to a good start. We will continue our monthly briefings in 2026, with one significant change: four of them will be held in-person (January, April, June, and October) and available to clients o