Making economic forecasts and stock market predictions can be humbling. It’s especially tough when you expect stocks to go higher and get a big drop instead. The environment today is the opposite, but still tricky, as recession hasn’t followed the chorus of predictions. In some ways, figuring out what to do now that stocks have gone up is as difficult as considering what to do when stocks are down.

From interest rates and inflation to the job market and recession, we anticipate there will be a number of shifting elements in the economy for the remainder of the year and potentially into 2024. At the May meeting this year, the Fed increased its policy rate for the tenth consecutive time, pushing the upper bound of the fed funds rate to 5.25%, the highest since August 2007.

Your 20s and 30s are an exhilarating time of life, filled with exciting milestones and boundless opportunities. From starting your first job and moving into your own place to planning unforgettable adventures, these years are undoubtedly significant. Amidst all the adventures and new experiences, it's easy to overlook the importance of setting a strong financial foundation for your future.

Building a strong budget is a crucial step towards pursuing financial stability and reaching your financial goals. Fortunately, there are numerous tools and resources available that can make this process easier and more effective. Using budgeting tools and resources provides several advantages. First and foremost, they offer convenience and efficiency.

At Infinite Heights, our goal is to help you create a strategic plan that aligns with your financial goals and dreams. We gather detailed information about your finances – your income, expenses, assets, debts, and what you hope to achieve in the future. Through our discussions and analysis, we get to know your needs, priorities, and how comfortable you are with taking risks.

A financial plan is meant to be a roadmap to financial success. You wouldn’t look at a map once and be on your way without continuing to check the map and ensure you’re going in the right direction.

As we finalize the log on the first six months of 2023, we believe there’s value in reflecting on recent months gone by. Doing so can help crystallize key learnings and help chart a course through the rest of the year. Looking back on the first half of 2023, it’s probably fair to say the outcome has been a bit better-than-expected for the stock and bond markets, especially compared to 2022’s tumult.

Retirement is a time when you seek financial security and peace of mind after years of hard work. However, one significant risk that retirees face is the sequence of returns, also known as sequence of return risk. This risk refers to the timing of investment returns during the early years of retirement and its impact on the sustainability of a retirement portfolio. In this blog, we'll delve into the concept of sequence of return risk, its potential implications, and strategies to mitigate its impact.

Retirement is a significant milestone in life that many of us eagerly anticipate. It's a time to relax, enjoy the fruits of our labor, and pursue our passions. However, to ensure a comfortable and fulfilling retirement, it's essential that we plan ahead to give ourselves the best possible chance of avoiding pitfalls that can quickly derail our retirement and leave us struggling financially in our golden years. Whether it's failing to save enough money, making poor investment choices, or underestimating healthcare costs, there are a number of common mistakes that retirees need to be aware of. In this blog, we'll explore some of the most common retirement mistakes and offer tips on how to avoid them. Whether you're just starting to plan for retirement or already enjoying your golden years, this blog will provide valuable insights to help you make the most of your retirement.

Happy Father’s Day to my dad (pictured above in all his glory) and to all of the amazing fathers and father figures in our valued client community. Today, we celebrate the love, guidance, and unwavering support that fathers bring to our lives.

Choosing the perfect place to retire involves careful consideration of various factors, with financial considerations often playing a crucial role. Retirees seek destinations that offer a favorable tax environment, affordable cost of living, access to quality healthcare, and other financial benefits. These five states are widely regarded as some of the best states to retire in from a financial perspective.

Every so often Washington likes to remind us how hard it can be to get things accomplished. The most recent example is the debt ceiling—the amount Congress can borrow to pay its bills. It seems like we have this debate every few years and in the end a deal is made, which is just what happened this time. Considering equity markets never really reacted to the drama, perhaps this is a good reminder that focusing on long-term objectives is the best strategy, even amid a fair amount of market noise.

Retirement planning is a crucial aspect of financial management, and for business owners, it requires careful consideration of many different factors. Business owners have the unique advantage of utilizing specialized retirement accounts that can significantly boost their retirement savings while providing valuable tax advantages. In this blog post, we will delve into the different retirement accounts available to business owners, highlighting their features, benefits, and eligibility requirements. By understanding these options, business owners can make informed decisions to secure a prosperous retirement.

Retirement is a significant milestone in life that brings both excitement and uncertainty. To ensure a smooth transition into this new chapter, careful planning is essential. In this blog post, we will explore the key considerations when planning for retirement, guiding you through the essential questions you should be asking yourself.

Running a successful business requires more than just a great product or service. It demands strategic financial planning, discipline, and the ability to make informed decisions that align with your goals. The biggest reason businesses fail is due to poor cash flow management, meaning, the financial habits within your business play a massive role in your business’s success.

Keeping top-performing employees is not just a matter of organizational stability and smooth operations, but it also has significant financial benefits. Losing key employees can be costly, both in terms of time and resources required to replace them, as well as in the loss of institutional knowledge and expertise that they bring to the organization. Here are some ways that retaining key employees can benefit an organization monetarily:

Watch a replay of our workshop on Oregon PERS Retirement Planning where we answer your most commonly asked questions including:

• What are the most important things I need to know about my Tier?

• Do I need to do anything with my IAP?

• What is the EPSA?

• How do I accurately estimate my Retirement Benefit?

• What options and decisions will I have to make at retirement?

• What about double-dipping, purchases, health insurance, etc?

As an entrepreneur, you're likely always looking for ways to reduce your tax burden and increase your profits. While many business owners are aware of common tax deductions like salaries and rent, there are many hidden write-offs that entrepreneurs may be overlooking. By taking advantage of these deductions, you can keep more of your hard-earned money and accelerate the growth of your business.

Starting a business is an exciting endeavor that requires careful planning and strategic decision-making. One crucial step in this process is classifying your business, as it helps define its legal structure, tax obligations, and overall operations. Understanding the various classification options available and selecting the most suitable one is vital to ensuring your business's long-term success. In this blog post, we will explore the key factors to consider when classifying your business and provide insights to help you make an informed choice.