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MONTH-2-MONTH
AUGUST 2024
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MONTH-2-MONTH is intended to provide you with updates on AFP and timely financial planning and investment information on a variety of topics.
If you find our content useful, please forward this email to a friend.
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As Labor Day creeps closer, it signals the end of another summer. Kids are going back to school and football season is right around the corner. The vegetables planted in spring have matured and are ready to be harvested. Make sure you set aside some time to enjoy the waning days of summer. | | |
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Music on the Lawn – AFP is a sponsor of the Grandview Heights Public Library's 38th annual Music on the Lawn concert series. We are sponsoring the August 27th concert where the Whirlybirds will be performing. The Whirlybirds are a Columbus-based Swing Jazz band and they can be seen performing at Natalie's in Grandview every Saturday at 5 pm. Teri also knows Joe, one of the band members. He has been her flute teacher for the last year.
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Summer Hours Ending – AFP's Summer Hours will end Labor Day Weekend. Beginning Tuesday, September 2nd, AFP will resume our normal hours of operation; 9 am – 5 pm, Monday – Friday.
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Closed Labor Day – AFP will be closed on Monday, September 1st in observance of Labor Day. We will reopen on Tuesday, September 2nd.
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No August Webinar – AFP will not be hosting a webinar this month. Stay tuned for more info about our September webinar.
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September: Life/Disability Insurance
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Click below to read our August 2024 Blog edition.
My Phone Was Cloned!
We would enjoy receiving your feedback on our Blog. Please share any comments or suggestions for future topics with us via email.
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August has been full of different meaningful moments. Camping in Cuyahoga National Park was great and the trails to ride bikes or just take a walk are super. I am definitely going back! My oldest grandson turned 8 and three of them are back in school. It’s an adjustment to get back in the swing of school. My garden is producing lots of yummy stuff and if you would like some, stop by the office. I typically try to bring in things to share. Time for upcoming soccer games and other events to attend that the grandsons are participating in. Fall is right around the corner. | | | |
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The school year has started, and it’s hard to believe that the summer is already over. Ellie is officially a Middle Schooler now as she started 6th grade last week. She’s on the Middle School Cross Country team, and she’s had one scrimmage race so far. She crossed the finish line first among her teammates, so she’s doing really well. She’s also adjusting well to a busy schedule and more responsibility. Middle School is a big change, but she’s doing a good job. Ainsley is officially a Kindergartener and is enjoying that. She really enjoys working with her hands whether it’s baking muffins or cookies, playing the piano, or making all sorts of crafts. Summer was fun with lots of time spent outside at the pool or with family and friends, but we’ve been looking forward to the new school year and everything that it holds. | | | |
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Andy and I are officially empty-nesters! Cayleigh has moved to her dorm at OSU and classes are underway. We have some travel plans in the works and no shortage of places to explore.
I did see two concerts this month. Both were throwbacks to previous times but very different styles. A free concert is next week and you are invited to attend. AFP is sponsoring the Whirlybirds who will perform at the Grandview Heights Library on Tuesday 8/27. Load up your lawn chairs and come on over. We hope to see you there.
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I’ve been spending a fair bit of time at the Ohio Theatre the last few months. CAPA’s Summer Movie Series lineup this year has been excellent (especially compared to the last few years) and we’ve been taking in a number of classic films. On Sunday, we took my mom to see one of her favorite films, The Wizard of Oz, and then got lunch afterward. This is the last week for the film series and there are a couple more we will probably go see before it ends. | | |
Current Economic and Investment Information | |
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DISINFLATIONARY TREND – Headline consumer price index (CPI) rose at the slowest year/year pace (2.9%) since March 2021. Core CPI rose at the slowest pace (3.2%) since April 2021and 3-year inflation expectations dropped to the lowest level (2.33%) since at least 2013. (source: BLS, NY Fed)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! – August 14th marked the 89th anniversary of FDR signing the Social Security Act into law. This year the fund will pay out $1.5 trillion in benefits to over 71 million Americans, roughly 21% of the US population. (source: SSA)
SENTIMENT IN THE BASEMENT – Homebuilder sentiment declined in August, for the fourth straight month, to its lowest level (39) of the year while the 12-month average (43.1) fell to its lowest level since May 2013. 64% of homebuilders used incentives to boost sales in August – the highest level since April 2019. (source: National Association of Homebuilders)
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The Top 500 Most Commonly Used Passwords | |
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Using information found in 20 separate recent data breeches, David McCandless of Information is Beautiful created the below word cloud. The passwords were divided into 11 separate categories and color coded accordingly. The most frequently occurring passwords appear larger and closer to the middle of the cloud.
We encourage you to follow the link below as the word cloud is interactive, allowing you to see where each word ranks in terms of frequency and filter by password category.
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Click here to view the source. | |
Critical Social Security Update | |
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How to Transition Your
Social Security Account to Login.gov
By Dawn Bystry
Source: Social Security Administration
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If you created a Social Security username more than 3 years ago, you will need to transition to a new or existing Login.gov account or use an ID.me account to have continuous access to our online services. We recently announced this news in a blog post and press release.
For step-by-step instructions on how to make the transition, watch this video. We also encourage you to visit our Frequently Asked Questions for Transitioning Your Social Security Username to Login.gov.
Beginning June 1, 2024, people who sign in to their personal my Social Security account with their username are given the option to transition to Login.gov. This blog provides additional information and guidance to help you with problems you may encounter. We’re also going to provide answers to some of the questions we’ve heard.
Click here to continue reading this article.
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Mutual Funds Mark 100th Anniversary:
With Popularity up, Are They Better Deals for Investors?
By Russ Wiles
Source: The Arizona Republic
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This year marks a significant milestone in financial circles: the 100th anniversary of the mutual fund.
These versatile investments have made it much easier and economical for Americans, especially those in the middle class, to invest in stocks, bonds, real estate, commodities, foreign markets and other areas.
They have stood the test of time, navigating recessions, wars and other disruptions. They have become mainstays, especially in retirement accounts, since the unveiling of the first fund, the Massachusetts Investors Trust, in 1924.
“Mutual funds have played a pivotal role in democratizing investing, making it possible for 116 million Americans to participate in financial markets,” said Sean Collins, chief economist at the Investment Company Institute, the fund-industry trade group, in a statement. “The growth and evolution of mutual funds over the past century is a testament to their enduring appeal and the trust investors place in them.”
Click here to read this article.
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Should I Stop Investing In US Stocks and Pay Down My Mortgage ASAP? Here's the Math:
By Vawn Himmelsbach
Source: Moneywise
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If you have some extra money to set aside each month, you might wonder if you’re better off investing it or using it to pay down your mortgage faster, especially if mortgage rates are ticking up and you have a new or variable rate mortgage.
Keep in mind that experts recommend you build an emergency fund worth three to six months of expenses before you put money towards paying off debt or investing. Once you have this financial cushion, you can start to consider what would be the most effective way to use your money.
In order to make an informed decision, you need to calculate the opportunity cost. This is the potential returns or savings you would give up.
Click here to continue reading this article.
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“The calm of a thousand summers,
And dreams of countless Junes,
Return when the lake-wind murmurs,
Through golden August noons.”
- William Braithwaite
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Alexander Financial Planning | |
3600 Olentangy River Rd, Ste. C2
Columbus, OH 43214
614-538-1600
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Registered Investment Advisor
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This material is distributed by Alexander Financial Planning, Inc., (AFPI) and is for information purposes only. Although information has been obtained from sources we believe to be reliable, we do not guarantee its accuracy. It is provided with the understanding that no fiduciary relationship exists because of this report. Opinions expressed in this report are not necessarily the opinions of AFPI and are subject to change without notice. AFPI assumes no liability for the interpretation or use of this report. Financial planning, investment conclusions, and strategies suggested in this report may not be suitable for all investors and consultation with a qualified advisor is recommended prior to executing any investment strategy. No portion of this writing should be construed as legal or accounting advice. All rights reserved. | | |
© Alexander Financial Planning, Inc. | |
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