Retirement Income Advisory Group

09/23/2024

I took some notes from a lecture I listened to this morning about how to find peace in today’s world.

There were 2 interesting points made.

#1) With all the religious variations of this world, the Golden Rule that many of us grew up with is considered basic to all world spiritual teachings.

Here are some examples:

From the Hindu scriptures the Mahabharata says:

"One should not behave toward others in a way which is disagreeable to oneself”

Confucius was asked if there was a word that can serve as a principle of conduct for life? He replied, the word “shu” which means reciprocity…

“Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire”

Then from the Jewish Talmud:

“What is hateful to you do not do to your fellow men - that is the entire law all the rest is commentary”

From the Buddhist text:

“Hurt not others in ways that you would find hurtful”

And finally, from the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad:

“Not one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother what he desires for himself”

If we all just practiced that wouldn’t this be a more peaceful world?

The other point was even more interesting to me:

#2) These are the words of a Bishop who had who had them inscribed on his tomb in Westminster Abbey

“When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser I discovered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country, but it too seemed immovable. As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me but alas, they would have none of it. And now that as I lie in my deathbed, I suddenly realize if I had only CHANGED MYSELF FIRST, then by example I would have changed my family. From their inspiration and encouragement, I would have been able to better my country and who knows I may have even changed the world!”

07/29/2024

When you came into this world you cried and everyone else smiled...

You should so live your life so when you leave, everyone else will be crying, but you will be smiling - Yogananda

05/05/2023

Market Update! April saw a tech stock rally despite recession fears and mixed earnings reports. Dow Industrials led with a 2.5% gain, while S&P 500 gained nearly 1.5%, and Nasdaq was flat. In May, the focus is on the Fed's next move, economic data, and bank lending activity. Stay up-to-date with our monthly market report.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average led, picking up 2.48 percent. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 1.46 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite was flat (+0.04 percent).1

04/07/2023

Investors were forced to navigate a tricky first quarter of 2023, having to contend with corporate earnings, shifting monetary signals, and troubles in the banking sector.

Stocks posted solid gains in the first quarter as investors navigated corporate earnings, shifting monetary signals, and troubles in the banking sector.

03/07/2023

Investors maintained an anxious eye on the Fed over worries it would maintain its tight monetary posture due to ongoing inflation.

Stock prices stumbled in February owing to growing worries that the Fed would maintain its tight monetary posture in the face of continuing inflation.

02/07/2023

Investors showed a buying mood in January with stocks rallying due to moderating inflation, a better-than-feared earnings season, and healthy economic data.

Stocks rallied in January as moderating inflation, a better-than-feared earnings season, and healthy economic data put investors in a buying mood.

01/06/2023

Stocks ended a volatile fourth quarter with a slight gain, helping to repair some of the damage since the beginning of the year. Read more to dive into the details of how the final quarter of 2022 ended.

Stocks ended a volatile fourth quarter with a slight gain, which helped repair some of the damage since the beginning of the year.

12/07/2022

Stocks surged higher in November on rising optimism that the Fed would slow down future interest rate hikes. Will we see a change in December?

The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 5.67 percent, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index picked up 5.38 percent. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite rose 4.38 percent.1

11/04/2022

Stocks posted big gains in October as “old economy” names reported solid earnings while mega-cap techs struggled.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average led, gaining 13.95 percent. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index tacked on 7.99 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite added 3.90 percent.1

10/07/2022

Stocks closed lower in Q3 after a hopeful rally followed by renewed caution thanks to the Fed’s latest moves to fight inflation.

Stocks took investors on a roller coaster ride in the third quarter, with an early summer rally coming to an abrupt end after the Fed pledged to continue fighting inflation.

09/09/2022

August started off promising for investors, but tough talk from Powell cooled enthusiasm.

Renewed fears of higher rates and economic weakening, coupled with a tough talk by Fed Chair Jerome Powell and other Fed officials, sent stocks lower in August.

08/05/2022

Investors are optimistic on the heels of earnings season and the Fed meeting minutes.

Stocks posted big numbers in July, erasing some of their first-half losses. Investor sentiment was lifted by receding inflation and recession worries and a better-than-expected start to the second quarter earnings season.