Max Dowdy

08/07/2023

It's one thing for a financial advisor to tell you how having a financial plan can help improve your financial situation. It's another thing for them to actually show you.

For example, did you know that 47% of those with a financial plan maintain healthy credit card habits, compared to just 29% of those who don't have a plan? Or, that 65% of those with a plan have a dedicated emergency fund, compared to just 33% of those who don't have one?

These are all true, and they illustrate the true value that a financial plan—and an accompanying financial advisor—can have on your financial health.

Is this something that you'd like to learn more about? Contact me today, and let's talk.

08/04/2023

Life insurance is one of those topics that many have heard of, but many can't say they fully understand.

As with many financial topics in the age of the Internet, it's hard to know what is fact and what is fiction when it comes to the many life insurance options, and who you can trust to guide you to the best option for your situation.

It's my passion to be that fiduciary to my clients, and to help them discover what will best help them achieve their financial goals. The options that they have for life insurance, like those included here, are just a small part of what I look at when I'm helping clients reach financial independence.

Reach out to me if this is something that you'd like to pursue!

Please keep in mind that the primary reason to purchase a life insurance product is the death benefit. Life insurance products contain fees, such as mortality and expense charges (which may increase over time), and may contain restrictions, such as surrender periods. Policy loans and withdrawals may create an adverse tax result in the event of a lapse or policy surrender, and will reduce both the cash value and death benefit.

08/02/2023

Recently, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell shared that he no longer believes that the U.S. is headed for a recession, despite record-high inflation and other issues plaguing the nation for months.

With the latest interest rate hike helping to cool inflation, along with the resiliency of the economy in recent months, a recession seems less likely than it did before. Though, it's important to note that, by Powell's own admission, there's "a lot more left to go" before the nation lands soft enough from high inflation to avoid a recession.

Learn more:

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said on Wednesday the central bank's staff no longer forecasts a U.S. recession, and "we do have a shot" for inflation to return to target without high levels of job losses. Powell told a news conference after the Fed's latest interest-r...

07/31/2023

For as many questions as I receive about how Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms will be used in the finance world, I receive an equal amount of questions about how it will be used responsibly.

Great question! I myself have been thinking about that recently as well, and I came across this article from Forbes that addresses that issue. As AI continues to revolutionize the way we conduct business and interact with clients, the designers behind these AI platforms must tread carefully to make sure that it conforms to company and societal rules.

This article specifically addresses the importance of training AI platforms to develop as few biases as possible as it absorbs information about the world around it, particularly with respect to topics like inclusion and diversity. Really, it all starts with the developers behind the AI.

Read the article:

For all the promise AI offers, it also poses a risk of advancing societal iniquities if organizations don’t use it responsibly.

07/28/2023

"In the long term, the markets respond primarily to company earnings, worker productivity, and many other factors, with the possession of Congress or the Oval Office playing a much smaller role."

The first step to take in times of market volatility is to quiet the noise. Our investment team provides some excellent wisdom to help:

Mid-term elections tend to have a short-term effect on the markets: average returns dip in the second and third quarters and rebound by the end of the year.

07/24/2023

The United States currently has about 4,700 FDIC-insured banks.

Some may say that number is too high. Some may think that number is just right. Either way, there are several factors that could influence you to one side or another.

While we still don't have a definitive answer as to if we do have too many banks or not, this article explores the backstory of how we came to have so many banks in our country. I encourage you to see it for yourself!

Read it here:

There are pros and cons for this large competitive field, and no definitive answer on whether it causes financial instability.

07/19/2023

According to statistics released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American salary was $61,900 in 2022. This was calculated by comparing the average yearly salaries for over 800 occupations along with salaries for both men and women in each occupation.

Despite this strong salary figure, persistent pressure from inflation and other financial concerns continue to be at the forefront of the minds of many. These individuals seek clarity and advice on how to best navigate their financial path and truly achieve financial freedom.

Does this sound like you? Contact me today to set up a complimentary, no-obligation consultation. I'll answer any questions that you have and, together, we can begin getting you closer to the financial freedom that you seek.

07/17/2023

Way to teach your kids how to save money

Starting early and practicing what you preach can help you raise disciplined savers despite today’s focus on fear of missing out (FOMO) and instant gratification.

07/14/2023

52% of Americans don't believe they're on track for retirement.

However, there are ways this can be reversed—or avoided entirely! Consulting with a financial advisor is a great way to continue or regain traction on saving for retirement.

07/12/2023

Over two-thirds of people belonging to the "Gen Z" generation are uncomfortable with their level of emergency savings, according to a poll conducted by Bankrate in May of this year. That's higher than any other generation of Americans.

Ongoing economic challenges like inflation and income/employment changes aren't helping matters, either. These, combined with members of this generation being less likely to regularly contribute to an emergency savings fund of their own makes it so that many of them are not at all optimistic about their financial outlook.

If this is you, me and my team can help! If you're a Gen Z member who's concerned about your financial picture—or even if you're not in this category but are still concerned about your finances—contact me today to set up a free, no-obligation consultation meeting. I'd be happy to hear from you and see how I can help.

07/10/2023

"Will I outlive my retirement savings?"

Even those with a high income can have this fear. After all, outliving your retirement can be a complex process based on a series of life decisions:

* Am I putting enough away now to reach my goals?
* If I make this purchase to improve my life, will I threaten my future?
* What kind of retirement lifestyle can I expect with the savings I have?
* How will I withdraw my money at a good pace that accounts for unknown health in my older age?

We all want the chance to live a long life, but that does mean longer time in retirement and more complexity to the equation.

A financial advisor can help with all of this.

We pull your complete financial situation into one place—your financial life at a glance—and help you discover what impact your current decisions or medium-term goals have on your long-term probability of success.

This retirement strategy process combines investment studies and your version of a fulfilling life, and then provides a sigh of relief.

Interested in getting started? I'm here to help.

07/07/2023

The US economy grew faster in the first quarter than previously reported

Disclaimer: This material represents an assessment of the market environment at a specific point in time and is not intended to be a forecast of future events, or a guarantee of future results. This information should not be relied upon by the reader as research or investment advice regarding any funds or stocks in particular, nor should it be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell a security. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investments will fluctuate and when redeemed may be worth more or less than when originally invested.

US economic growth in the first three months of the year was faster than previously estimated, the Commerce Department reported on Thursday.