Wealth and Wisdom: Week of January 13, 2025
- Mike Brown
- Jan 13
- 4 min read
We’re starting 2025 over-stocked with some timely ideas for improving your financial life over the next 12 months – and I can’t wait to share them with you.
Speaking of which, if this is the year you plan to retire I have some exciting news for you. St. Louis Community College has invited me back to teach a three-session course entitled, “How to Retire: A 7-Step Process” at the college’s Meramec campus.
The classes will be held on three consecutive Wednesday nights in February and again in June. Here’s a link to the continuing education registration site, and the course code is FINC-736 if you’re interested in joining the class. The registration deadline is February 5, and of course, seating will be limited.
Nine states just lowered their income tax rates – and Missouri was one of them. (Reading time: 4 minutes)
New legislation means many teachers, first responders, and other public service employees will earn full Social Security benefits. (Reading time: 2 minutes)
Last year provided more evidence that investing based on the calendar could be a waste of valuable time. (Reading time: 3 minutes)
Our firm is forecasting another positive year for stocks – despite a slowing economy and other challenges. (Reading time: 4 minutes)
The S&P 500 posted big returns in 2024 for the second year in a row – but the index has never been this concentrated in just a handful of hot stocks. (Reading time: 2 minutes)
Patient, disciplined investors have been rewarded for owning stocks over the long-term – but getting those returns means taking bad times with the good. (Reading time: 3 minutes)
Instead of trying to forecast the future – common at this time of the year – how about predicting what’s likely not to happen in 2025? (Reading time: 4 minutes)
Successful investing – as in life – often comes down to being realistic about your expectations. (Reading time: 3 minutes)
When it comes to making positive changes, I’ll take new habits over resolutions any day. Here are some to get you moving in the right direction. (Reading time: 9 minutes)
I get a lot of inspiration from reading about the best inventions of each year – as well as some gift ideas for next holiday season. (Reading time: totally up to you)
Words to the Wise
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do, so throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, dream, discover.”
– Mark Twain
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