Wealth and Wisdom: Week of August 4, 2025
- Mike Brown
- Aug 4
- 3 min read
We roll into August with the same doubts and worries that have dogged investors all year – but the numbers continue to show a resilient and growing economy, and the financial markets continue to price in a positive outlook for the months ahead.
Gross domestic product (GDP) – the sum value of America’s output of goods and services – grew a surprisingly strong 3% in the second quarter. And despite fears that higher tariffs would lead to a spike in inflation, the impact seems fairly minor so far.
So get ready to send the kids back to school, start making some holiday plans – and if you’re thinking about retiring anytime soon, get a plan in place and take advantage of the opportunity to save and invest while you can.
Now’s the time to begin your transition into a successful retirement. (Reading time: 2 minutes)
From RMDs to Roth IRA conversions – here are several ideas for optimizing your tax bill after you stop working. (Reading time: 3 minutes)
Take advantage of these tax breaks to help compound your retirement nest egg. (Reading time: 6 minutes)
Retirees are looking beyond Florida and Arizona – especially when it comes to the cost of living. (Reading time: 4 minutes)
Don’t let fear of the unknown trap you in the recliner – read these success stories and start writing your own. (Reading time: 9 minutes)
Each has its pros and cons – so consider these 6 differences before you choose how to invest in equities. (Reading time: 2 minutes)
Sell early in the year and get it over with? Near year-end to capture more growth potential? Or systematically withdraw over the course of the year? (Reading time: 3 minutes)
There’s a lot of free advice out there – and half of it might be bad. The problem is figuring out which half. (Reading time: 7 minutes)
Their members help each other find new homes for unwanted items – and there are several in the St. Louis area. (Reading time: 6 minutes)
Improvements in technology and distribution have driven down the cost of several things we buy every day – even before accounting for inflation. (Reading time: 6 minutes)
Words to the Wise
“You can either look rich or be rich, but you probably won't live long enough to do both.”
– Stacy Johnson
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