Wealth and Wisdom: Week of December 23, 2024
- Mike Brown
- Dec 23, 2024
- 5 min read
Well, here we are heading into the final week of 2024 – a year that will be remembered for unprecedented political drama, a roaring stock market, (and of course, the Eras Tour.)
What will happen in 2025 is clearly anyone’s guess, and we’ll be hearing those guesses ad nauseum for the next few weeks. And that’s reason enough for me to step aside for a couple of weeks and let all those annual predictions and forecasts run their course. Wealth and Wisdom will hit your inbox next on January 13.
Now’s the time to enjoy the holiday season with our loved ones. So, whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or the Winter Solstice, we wish you a very merry one. Here are some ideas for making the new year a profitable one for you – starting with some thoughts to help you get your straight as we head into 2025.
Thank you for your interest and attention this year. We’ll talk again soon.

Ben Carlson is one of my favorite investment writers – and I can’t find a simple thought in his insightful essay that I disagree with. (Reading time: 3 minutes)
It’s one idea likely to be considered as a way to cut federal spending – and a Missouri congressman will help lead the charge. (Reading time: 3 minutes)
Here are some clever ways to free up some cash in the new year for your retirement goals. (Reading time: 2 minutes)
I’ve never met anyone who actually uses this strategy. And besides, how can proponents call it a rule when they keep changing it? (Reading time: 4 minutes)
Discover what this Morningstar analyst learned about retirement during her recent six-week sabbatical. (Reading time: 4 minutes)
A new analysis shows that the end of the year is your best opportunity to find good deals on pre-owned cars. (Reading time: 4 minutes)
If you’re looking to make any serious purchases in 2025, it probably makes sense to print a copy of this article. (Reading time: 9 minutes)
U.S. students and their families owe a staggering $1.73 trillion – and among states, both Missouri and Illinois report higher-than-average debt. (Reading time: 2 minutes)
Want to strengthen the bonds with your family this holiday season? Ask them these 8 questions. (Reading time: 1 minute)
The best gift you can give a child is the wisdom you’ve accumulated over your lifetime – and that’s especially true when it comes to money. (Reading time: 4 minutes)
Words to the Wise
“No amount of sophistication is going to allay the fact that all your knowledge is about the past and all your decisions are about the future.”
– Ian Wilson
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