Bedel Blog

The impact of COVID-era federal programs and interventions is still with us. Barring an extension of the federal unemployment insurance program from Congress, these benefits will expire in just a few months and could provide a tailwind for employment and growth.

The American Rescue Plan (ARP) has more than just stimulus payments to offer. If you qualify for the enhanced child tax credit, be on the lookout for the IRS portal rollout in a few months. Many families have benefited from child tax credits in years past, but the enhanced credit differs in several ways.

Just $1 too much could cost you your entire rebate. Reducing your adjusted gross income can help maximize your rebate without costing you a dime.

After a surprisingly strong 2020, the stock market continued to perform well through most of January. No one knows what the rest of the year holds, so make sure that your portfolio reflects your long-term goals.

The role central banks across the world played in orchestrating an economic recovery cannot be understated. While their efforts succeeded in pushing the stock market to fresh record highs, the prospect of meaningful future price inflation as a consequence is very real.

After months of debate, Congress finally passed round two of economic relief. Along with the allocation of spending dollars, what are some of the other benefits for taxpayers?

The positive impact from the previous stimulus has encouraged another package. For individuals that qualify for a stimulus check, the money should arrive shortly.

While it seems the economy has bottomed out and the recovery has begun, high unemployment and the prospect of a "second wave" of COVID-19 cases continues to create uncertainty for many businesses, including the real estate market.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis reports that savings almost tripled over the first two quarters of 2020. This additional savings helps to cushion rainy day funds, but in today's low-rate environment, there comes the point that you should think about how to make the cash - that you worked hard for - work even harder for you.

Are you prepared for what the last stretch of 2020 could bring? With a disciplined approach and a solid financial plan, you should be equipped to weather any storm.

Bond yields are at historically low levels, and the Fed has indicated no interest in creating negative yields. How do you rethink what bonds mean for your portfolio? What's the best way to avoid disappointment in a post-COVID portfolio?

Did equity markets fully recover from their March lows? Is the reopening of global economies sustainable, or are we on a path to another shutdown?

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all aspects of the economy. But what impact has it had on the residential real estate market? Are fewer homes being sold? Are prices declining? Some of the results might surprise you.

There is no way to sugarcoat the numbers. The severity of the hit to our economy is unprecedented. Today's headlines may grab your attention, but what does this all mean about our future?

In the investment world, real estate is generally dominated by office buildings, industrial warehouses, retail stores, and apartment buildings. Given that the real estate market had a significant downturn during the 2008 recession, how is real estate holding up during this pandemic?

If you forgot to sign up for your employer's group insurance plan, or you if forgot about pre-tax contributions to a medical savings account, you may get a second chance this year.

Have you heard the expression about the canary in the coal mine? Canary birds were the first to react to unhealthy conditions in coal mines and served as a warning to the miners. Bonds can also be like those canaries, warning investors of a coming recession.

With large swaths of the economy closed for part of the first quarter, expectations for corporate earnings headed south in a hurry. What does this mean for the stock market?

The stock market has experienced dramatic daily and weekly swings, both positive and negative. While traditional economic data will likely continue to be negative for some time, it is helpful to pay attention to developments in other areas that also provide signals of the health of the economy.

Headlines recently proclaimed that the price of crude oil plunged below zero for the first time in history. However, you probably noticed that your local gas station was not giving away its fuel for free. So what exactly happened in the oil markets?

Did you know the CARES Act includes favorable tax benefits for cash gifts made to qualifying charitable organizations this year?

$10 billion of the CARES Act went to the SBA’s existing disaster loan program, the Economic Injury Disaster Loans, with an additional $60 billion added weeks later. But what is an EIDL, and how can you use it?

What initially appeared to be an issue that would primarily affect China quickly became a force that brought business to a virtual standstill around the world.

If you are a small business or self-employed individual under financial stress due to the Coronavirus, the Paycheck Protection Program is intended to help you through this difficult time. If you qualify, pull together the necessary financial information for the loan application, and apply as soon as you can.

Recently, the "CARES" Act was signed into law. The almost 900 pages of legislation are jam-packed with programs designed to help taxpayers navigate the economic hardships. We've outlined the areas that are likely to impact people on a personal level.

It’s unclear when things will be able to return to normal. So, how do you financially plan through periods of absolute uncertainty?

Have you taken a look at your investment portfolio? During times of uncertainty, it is important not to get lost in the daily headlines. Concentrate on keeping everything in perspective. Let’s take a step back and remind ourselves of where we were not so long ago and look for where we might be headed in the next few weeks.

While the impact of the Wuhan coronavirus may seem temporary and relatively mild, the scare does serve as a useful lesson for investors. It is a good reminder to investors to expect the unexpected and to not act impulsively.