The Branning Blog

While spring approaches, markets have grown turbulent on news of potential problems in the banking sector after the rapid closure of Silicon Valley Bank. Nearly…

Over 69 million people in the United States receive social security benefits — so needless to say, it’s a pretty important topic. Understand that the…

On December 29, 2022, the SECURE Act 2.0 was signed into law by Congress. As you may recall, the original SECURE Act (2019) made several…

Millennials. Those born between 1981 and 1996; ranging in age from 26-41 years old. VHS, Windows ‘98 startup sound, Blockbuster Friday nights, those never-ending strawberry…

The goal of this article is to provide an actionable framework for contingency planning for individual retirees through the modern retirement theory (MRT) perspective. Contingency planning encompasses a retiree’s risk management processes, techniques, and strategies, along with a choice architecture. Our goal is to provide insights that are mitigating to those conditions within longevity that can impair or impact a retiree’s ability to remain retired. We offer three risk categories—known, unknown, and unknowable—as an organizational scaffold that demands an intentional choice be made by the retiree. Then, to guide an individual retiree’s decisions about contingency planning, we put forth an active risk selection matrix. The 3-R matrix can be used for guiding and evaluating risk choices through risk recognition, risk reduction, and acceptance of residual risk.

“How much can I contribute to my 401k?” “What is the standard deduction for this year?” “Am I eligible to use a Roth IRA?” Take…

While the origin of “cash is king” is unclear, it is a phrase that became popularized following the global stock market crash of 1987 by…

When you think of gratitude and money, you probably don’t imagine the two go hand in hand, but the connection is undeniable.  Gratitude has the…

“How do I consistently make money in the stock market?” – the question all investors want to answer! Oftentimes, people look at capital markets as…

“Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge? Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?1” While these questions were originally directed to…

You’ve seen the headlines: “The Federal Reserve hiked interest rates to historic levels.” They raised the target federal fund rate by 0.75%, which marked the…

It’s summer. Travelers have packed their bags and vehicles and are making their way to beloved destinations – the beach, the mountains, the city. Anyone…

Cryptocurrency has quickly become a mainstream alternative investment strategy. It’s a digital form of currency that can be exchanged online for goods and services (depending…

When it comes to money, it’s not just about the decisions you make—why you make them plays an equally critical role in developing healthy financial…

With the ups and downs in the market over the past few months, it’s no wonder that investors are becoming increasingly uneasy about their portfolios….

Math numerically expresses objective facts and reveals patterns. How can everyone evaluate the massive amount of numbers and invest with confidence? Markets go up and…

Follow the link below to see Johnson Rhett‘s recently published insight on the use of life insurance for estate planning! https://www.moneygeek.com/insurance/life/estate-planning-and-life-insurance/#expert=johnson-rhett

“The strongest of all warriors are these two – Time and Patience.” – Leo Tolstoy, War and Peace Russia has declared war on the Ukraine. War is…

We wanted to take a moment to address recent current events. By now, you’ve likely seen that Russia invaded neighboring Ukraine, and the world capital…

Just as in the world of dating relationships, the age-old phrase “There are plenty of fish in the sea” can hold true to our investment…

Follow the link below for a full, downloadable chart! https://branwealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/2022-ImportantNumbersChart.pdf

Follow the link below for a full, downloadable chart! https://branwealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/What-Issues-Should-I-Consider-When-Reviewing-Cash-Flow-2022.pdf

Building a family is one of the most monumental journeys we have in our lifetime. The bond within a family is vital, and one way…

Take a look at Johnson Rhett‘s recently published insight on retirement spending for MoneyGeek.com! Follow the link below. Smart Spending In Retirement

After a brief hiatus in 2020, required minimum distributions (RMDs) made their re-appearance for 2021.  The Coronavirus, Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act waived…

We will never go back to the world we had before COVID-19, and the lens that we used to evaluate ideas, markets, economies, and personal…

Check out Johnson Rhett‘s recently published insight on credit card FAQs for MoneyGeek.com. https://www.moneygeek.com/credit-cards/resources/how-credit-cards-work/#expert=johnson-rhett

We are always honored when local publications ask us to participate in their special editions. Unfortunately, our colleague, Kelly Jennings, who lives in NC could…

By Kelly J. Jennings, CFP® We’ve all been in a vexing financial situation—the dog gets into the pantry, your kid unexpectedly falls and hurts themselves,…

It’s no secret that boundaries help establish healthy relationships, so why not set some boundaries around your finances?  Money boundaries are guidelines you put in…

Everyone wants to be viewed as competent, skilled, or excellent at tasks we undertake. Social psychologists David Dunning and Justin Kruger observed the tendency of…

Fears of election cycles and market volatility are nothing new. However, we’ve seen a resurgence this year as social tensions, as well as, the economic…

https://www.bankrate.com/finance/credit-cards/how-you-can-help-small-businesses-impacted-by-covid19/

Jason Branning was a speaker for an education event for the consumer and financial services industry press. This discussion is about fiduciary advisors utilizing commission…

Large And In Charge Giant Firms Atop Market Is Nothing New 1

Life has changed; how do we adapt without losing sight of what we want to achieve? As you’ve heard us say before, no one knows…