Bedel Blog

One of the fascinating developments during the COVID-19 pandemic was Wall Street's short-lived obsession with IPOs and SPACs. The recent choppy performance of IPOs is a good example of how quickly high-risk investments can decline in a broad market pullback.

More than half of higher education schools haven't started preparing for the significant changes coming to the FAFSA. While we may have to wait a bit longer than expected to see the changes, some key topics remain.

Statements by Fed Chairman Jerome Powell on August 26th poured cold water on the stock market rally. Powell has been using strong language to reiterate the Federal Reserve's position that tackling inflation remains the central bank's number one priority, and they intend to maintain this policy even if it causes "pain" to the markets or economy.

If there are thousands of dollars at stake, you would expect most parents and students to be anxious to apply. But unfortunately, that's not always the case. So even if you think you won't qualify, taking 60 minutes to complete the FAFSA could be well worth your time.

Interest rates are on the rise! What does this mean for your money? Well, it could be good or bad news depending upon where you keep your cash holdings. We’ve outlined how rising interest rates could affect your loan rates, credit card rates, investment returns, and more. Read on to ensure you’re getting the most yield from your cash holdings while those rates continue to rise.

While it will sound boring to some, paying off loans or adding to your savings are two approaches that can help you now and grow your nest egg for when you need the money later.

A 529 plan is an investment account mainly for post-secondary education expenses. Money contributed is not deductible, but all earnings accumulate tax-deferred and are distributed tax-free if used for qualified education expenses.

How things play out will depend on the future supply of existing and new homes for sale, the health of the mortgage market, and the consumer's financial well-being. If you are looking to sell your home, you might want to do so sooner rather than later.

When looking to "make a move," it's best to do your financial assessment, research your options, and consider the time you expect to live in the property. Generally, if planning to stay in the home long-term, buying makes better financial sense than renting under most circumstances.

While we know you get tired of hearing it, the best advice we can give is to stay the course and ensure that your portfolio is aligned with your financial goals. This is not just an empty platitude; we encourage it because it works.

Intra-family loans can be a simple option to help borrowers save on interest expenses and give lenders a yield on funds that may otherwise sit in cash. However, you should also review your financial security before offering to help others.

While a strengthening dollar has provided relief for US consumers against inflation, if the dollar were to fall against other currencies, this benefit would dissipate and expose Americans to further inflation from increasing import costs.