Wealth and Wisdom: Week of January 20, 2025
- Mike Brown
- Jan 20
- 4 min read
A new administration takes the reins of power this week. For some Americans, it’s a time of great uncertainty, where fears outnumber hopes and skepticism outweighs faith in the future. In contrast, many others believe we are embarking on a time of exciting promise and a true belief that things are about to get better.
One thing to bank on: some changes are coming – probably fewer than the new president’s supporters are hoping, and likely not as many as his opponents are now fearing. Many of those changes have the potential to impact you financially, and I’ll do my best to keep you out in front of them.
From Social Security reform to tax rates, several items are already on the table that could greatly impact your retirement. (Reading time: 8 minutes)
Here are 8 things you should be doing to make it happen – no matter who’s running the country. (Reading time: 3 minutes)
From the day you launch your career, you should be saving and investing for the day it ends. These tips will keep you pointed in the right direction. (Reading time: 7 minutes)
It’s important to know when you qualify for full retirement benefits – and what will happen if you claim them early. (Reading time: 5 minutes)
By historical standards, equity valuations appear stretched despite a recent pullback – yet that tells us painfully little about the market’s next move. (Reading time: 4 minutes)
Successful investing is simple if not easy – and you might benefit by focusing more on the basics this year. (Reading time: 4 minutes)
Net of inflation, the cost of attending a public college has actually fallen over the last decade – and tuition hikes are even starting to slow at private colleges. (Reading time: 4 minutes)
The new president enters office with a tapped-out credit card – accounting for more than a third of the world’s debt. (Reading time: 3 minutes)
U.S. gross debt now exceeds $36 trillion – but it might surprise you to know how little of it is held by foreign countries. (Reading time: 2 minutes)
Scan this lengthy article and cherry-pick a few ideas to try this year. You’ll be happy you did a year from now. (Reading time: 16 minutes)
Words to the Wise
“There are no constraints on the human mind, no walls around the human spirit, no barriers to our progress - except those we ourselves erect.”
– Ronald Reagan
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