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We believe that financial planning isn't just the main point, but saving money with the "little things" always helps. We like to contribute ideas and proven tips that help you in the "little ways" as well.

Tuesday, September 19, 2023

The stock market rebound has significantly increased the number of workers with $1 million or more in their workplace retirement accounts. According to Fidelity Investments, employees with 401(k) balances exceeding $1 million rose 26...

Saturday, September 16, 2023

From Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month. It’s time to honor the culture and contributions of the Hispanic and Latin Americans that make up our great nation. National Hispanic Heritage Month started...

Tuesday, September 12, 2023

Concerns that the Fed may raise interest rates soured investor sentiment, sending stocks lower in a holiday-shortened trading week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.75%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 declined 1.29%....

Monday, September 4, 2023

More than just a bookend to the summer season, Labor Day is a celebration of workers' contributions to the well-being of our country and the economy. Labor Day was first celebrated on Sept. 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance...

Monday, August 7, 2023

Like some of my clients, you may have seen the latest regarding Aretha Franklin's estate. The Queen of Soul passed in 2018, and years later, her loved ones are still caught in legal trials thanks to the existence of multiple wills. As...

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Monday, July 31, 2023

You may have heard of the cultural craze that's caused a recent box office boom. Dubbed "Barbenheimer," the odd cinematic pairing of Gretta Gerwig's "Barbie" and Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer" is proving to be exactly what tinsel...

Monday, July 24, 2023

Now that summer is in full swing, it's the perfect time to take a trip. But sometimes, even your best-laid plans go a little off-kilter.Here are a few of the most common travel issues and how to make sure that no matter what happens,...

Tuesday, July 18, 2023

In advance of 2023, the recession drum beats were so loud it was deafening. Market pundits warned that as the Fed raised interest rates, it was just a matter of time before the economy entered a recession.But it’s July now, and...

Monday, June 26, 2023

Jerome Powell skipped an interest rate hike at the Fed’s June meeting, but the market isn’t buying what the Fed Chair is selling about what’s next with short-term rates.Powell signaled that two more rate increases may...

Tuesday, June 13, 2023

Would it surprise you to hear that investors have moved past worrying about inflation? They have, at least for now.Wall Street has shifted its attention to Washington’s budget negotiations and how the debt ceiling will be...

Wednesday, June 7, 2023

Don't hold a surprise birthday party for Jerome Powell. He would hate it. And if you plan on visiting the Fed Chair, call first. He doesn't like surprises.Powell delivered on his March promise at the most recent Fed meeting by...

Tuesday, May 30, 2023

I wanted to take a moment to update you on the potential changes to Social Security benefits for 2024. As I'm sure you know, the Social Security Administration calculates annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) based on the Consumer...

Sunday, May 21, 2023

From my perspective, we can't hear the word "better" enough in the weeks ahead."Better than expected." "Better than feared." "Better than forecasted."These are winning phrases that can be used by market pundits when they compare a...

Monday, May 8, 2023

Market timing must be exhausting. Always moving in and out of the markets based on economic analysis or business headlines must be so challenging.The accompanying chart shows that money held in money market mutual funds rose to $5.1...

Thursday, May 4, 2023

Today we are excited to share that we have a new opportunityto offer QuickBooks Online, a tool that helps you run yourfinances! We know as a small business, you are always in need ofsupport when it comes to running your book in an easy...

Tuesday, May 2, 2023

As I work with you to help you invest and prepare for your retirement goals, may I help you in other ways? I mention this because retirement and financial strategies represent a portion of what I do. I also offer and provide insurance...

Monday, May 1, 2023

It can be pretty easy to find things to worry about in today's economy. For example, according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), the average price of eggs increased by 60 percent in 2022. That means their price rose faster than almost...

Monday, April 10, 2023

Market timing must be exhausting. Always moving in and out of the markets based on economic analysis or business headlines must be so challenging.The accompanying chart shows that money held in money market mutual funds rose to $5.1...

Wednesday, April 5, 2023

Just a quick reminder that the last day to make 2022 contributions to certain retirement accounts is fast approaching. In most cases, the contribution deadline is the same as your tax return filing deadline. For instance, you can make...

Monday, March 27, 2023

Jerome Powell is a man of his word. And the financial markets believe that's an excellent trait for the Federal Reserve Chairman.Powell told the financial markets to prepare for a 25 basis points increase in short-term rates in early...

Tuesday, March 21, 2023

When events like Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank happen, it's natural to wonder how a bank safeguards your funds. Fortunately, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insurance was designed for this very reason:...

Saturday, March 18, 2023

Investors put the economy on recession watch when the Fed started its “higher in a hurry” push with short-term interest rates in mid-2022.After the 10-year/2-year Treasury curve inverted in July 2022, it was “all...

Friday, January 13, 2023

In the final days of 2022, Congress passed a new set of retirement rules designed to make it easier to contribute to retirement plans and access those funds earmarked for retirement.The law is called SECURE 2.0, and it's a follow-up to...

Tuesday, January 3, 2023

The financial markets are complex systems. They can move from one event to the next so quickly that it's hard to know what’s driving prices.For example, look at the roundtrip oil prices in the chart below.Oil prices surged to...

Monday, January 2, 2023

A new year is on the horizon. Each day that comes presents something new and exciting both for you and the people in your life.Is this the year you open the door to something new and exciting? Embark on some new travel adventure? Or...

Thursday, December 29, 2022

The holiday season is upon us; from story time with sorely missed grandchildren to laughter with friends and family over long-cherished memories, there's little doubt that "the most wonderful time of the year" has arrived.For my family...

Tuesday, December 27, 2022

The financial markets are complex systems. They can move from one event to the next so quickly that it's hard to know what’s driving prices.For example, look at the roundtrip oil prices in the chart below.Oil prices surged to...

Wednesday, December 14, 2022

Recession fears and concerns that the Fed may consider a longer rate-hike cycle sent stocks lower for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 2.77%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 fell 3.37%. The Nasdaq Composite index...

Monday, December 5, 2022

Over the years, the Fed has followed a similar pattern with interest rates. It raises interest rates, then pauses, so it can see how the economy is adjusting to the higher rates. The chart below shows the Fed’s pattern with...

Monday, November 28, 2022

The midterm elections have come and gone, and although the results don’t appear as one-sided as many predicted, it seems one party will narrowly take control of the House, while the Senate may hinge on a Georgia runoff.It's...

Monday, November 21, 2022

The Internal Revenue Service has released new limits for the coming year. After months of high inflation and financial uncertainty, some of these cost-of-living-based adjustments have reached near-record levels.Individual Retirement...

Wednesday, November 9, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJulian Rodriguez & Associates Receives 2022 Austin AwardAustin Award Program Honors the AchievementAUSTIN October 10, 2022 -- Julian Rodriguez & Associates has been selected for the 2022 Austin Award in the...

Monday, November 7, 2022

The Internal Revenue Service has released new limits for the coming year. After months of high inflation and financial uncertainty, some of these cost-of-living-based adjustments have reached near-record levels.Individual Retirement...

Wednesday, November 2, 2022

You may have heard the phrase “contrarian investing,” but did you know that one of the most reliable contrary indicators is individual investors?Retail investors often do the wrong thing at the wrong time. But this year,...

Monday, October 31, 2022

Stubborn doesn’t seem like a strong enough word, but that’s how Fed officials are describing inflation.Inflation's “stubbornness” has been on full display in recent weeks: First, the Producer Price Index (PPI)...

Tuesday, October 25, 2022

How well do you remember 1981? Harrison Ford had his first bow as Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark. Frogger and Donkey Kong were all the rage at video arcades. Bob Ross left the Air Force and took up painting. On top of that,...

Monday, October 17, 2022

Stocks were mixed last week amid wide intra- and inter-day price swings, as technology shares bore the brunt of the downdraft.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.15% for the week. Meanwhile, the Standard & Poor’s 500...

Tuesday, October 11, 2022

Lately, "inflation" seems to be the media's favorite word. Everywhere you turn, there's another story about the impact of inflation. For example, many news outlets have reported that confectionary prices have surged over 30% from last...

Friday, October 7, 2022

Wall Street is always searching for a hero to embrace or a villain to blame. And right now, Fed Chair Jerome Powell is the villain.After the September Fed meeting, Powell said interest rates may be heading higher for longer than...

Tuesday, October 4, 2022

If you’ve felt like stock prices were a little more volatile in 2022 than in recent years, your “spidey senses” are right on the money.The S&P 500 has posted 81 daily moves of at least 1% through August. Of those...

Tuesday, September 27, 2022

You may have heard the expression, “You can talk yourself into just about anything.” If that’s true, corporate America better watch out.As publicly traded companies report quarterly sales and earnings, they often...

Monday, September 12, 2022

September is Life Insurance Awareness Month. If you haven’t reviewed your insurance profile in a while, you may be surprised that what made sense in the past no longer fits your life.Here are some ways to quickly evaluate your...

Thursday, September 8, 2022

The White House recently forgave up to $10,000 to student loan borrowers as part of a larger debt forgiveness program. There are still quite a few questions to be answered, but here are some key points to know.Pell vs. non-Pell: Loan...

Monday, September 5, 2022

The first Labor Day was celebrated over 100 years ago, created by the labor movement as a day to honor the achievements and contributions (both social and economic) of American workers.I’ve always found the way we celebrate to be...

Friday, September 2, 2022

We’re entering a tricky time of year: September and October have a reputation for bringing an extra measure of market volatility.Some of the stock market’s most challenging events have hit in September and October, and...

Tuesday, August 30, 2022

You may have heard the saying, “inflation hurts savers and benefits borrowers.” The expression suggests that borrowers benefit from inflation because they pay back lenders with dollars worth less than when the money...

Monday, August 22, 2022

Stocks tumbled on Friday, sending stocks to a weekly loss after an otherwise quiet August week of trading.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped -0.16%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 lost 1.21%. The Nasdaq Composite index...

Friday, August 12, 2022

These days, an encouraging word can feel like a relief. Here are a few positive stories I’ve noticed lately – like an “everything bagel” sprinkled with good news.I saw a recent report in The Guardian about the...

Friday, August 5, 2022

Undaunted by another Fed rate hike and news of a contracting economy, the stock market rallied last week on better-than-expected corporate earnings.The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased 2.97%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...

Tuesday, July 26, 2022

It’s natural to think “defense” during a bearish market season. But why not mix in some “offense” with your defense? Here are three moves we can discuss together that may be helpful during the current...

Tuesday, July 26, 2022

If you’re trying to get an inside edge on Wall Street, you’re probably paying attention to an array of stats and measurements. But there’s one indicator you might be overlooking.I’m talking about the...

Sunday, July 10, 2022

With half the year behind us, now is a great time to consider what the remainder of 2022 may hold. However, with inflation and economic uncertainty causing many of us to delay or cancel vacations, large purchases, and more, it can be...

Monday, July 4, 2022

The Fourth of July is just ahead – a chance for us all to get together and celebrate what makes America so special. As Americans, we have the liberty to act, speak, think, and worship freely. This precious liberty was fought for,...

Saturday, June 25, 2022

What an “interesting” week. In a move unseen since 1994, the Federal Reserve has taken an aggressive stance toward inflation by raising the key interest rate by three-quarters of a percentage point.Investors initially...

Tuesday, June 14, 2022

The number one question I’m hearing this week is, “When are we going to see the stock market reach a low point?” In spite of recent volatility, my answer remains the same: rather than timing the markets, focus on time...

Sunday, May 15, 2022

Saturday, April 30, 2022

Thursday, April 28, 2022

Saturday, April 16, 2022

Saturday, April 16, 2022

Saturday, April 2, 2022

Thursday, March 24, 2022

Friday, March 11, 2022

Sunday, March 6, 2022

Friday, February 11, 2022

Friday, February 4, 2022

Friday, February 4, 2022

Saturday, January 29, 2022

Friday, January 28, 2022

Wednesday, January 19, 2022

Monday, September 13, 2021

Tax professional acquires affiliation Media Contact Julian Rodriguez Julian Rodriguez & Associates 7000 N. Mopac Expwy, Suite 200 512.253.4339 info@jrafinance.com National Contact: Nancy Kasten, nkasten@natptax.com, 800-558-3402, ext....

Friday, September 10, 2021

Bad credit, credit cards are just like regular credit cards but with much higher interest rates and usually an annual fee, sometimes $50 a year and higher. Bad credit, credit cards can save your credit or make it worse if your not...

Friday, September 3, 2021

In today's world it is almost a necessity to have a credit card. If you have bad credit your options can become limited in regards to a credit. Many of the credit card companies will just deny the application. So picking the right card...

Friday, August 27, 2021

In today's world it is almost a necessity to have a credit card. If you have bad credit your options can become limited in regards to a credit. Many of the credit card companies will just deny the application. So picking the right card...

Friday, August 20, 2021

The following are important terms to consider that generally should be disclosed in applications or in solicitations for credit that require no application. Ask about these terms when you're looking for a card. Annual Percentage Rate....

Friday, August 13, 2021

Everyone faces unavoidable financial problems at some time and find that they are in an impossible situation and unable to meet their obligations. This situation might make some feel that it is hopeless to find money help, but that is...

Friday, August 6, 2021

Here are some great tips on credit card consolidation to help you manage your debts more effectively. 1) Draw up a financial budget. Yes I know it is boring but you will never be able to get out of debt until you know exactly how much...

Friday, July 30, 2021

Everybody wants to be rich, or at least well off. But one thing most people don't realize is that while having a lot of money does mean a lot more opportunities and choices, it also means more work. Taking care of your money is an...

Friday, July 23, 2021

You don't have to be wealthy to be able to benefit from good financial advice. A good adviser can help with everything from choosing the right life insurance, to minimizing tax consequences, to estate planning. The idea of a financial...

Friday, July 16, 2021

Your financial institution should provide you with information on credit card laws in your State when you enter into this type of agreement. Granted most of us ignore the small print as we never imagine that one day we may have...

Friday, July 9, 2021

When you are looking to repay your debts quickly, you should consider a no balance transfer fee credit card. This is a special deal offered by some financial institutions when they are trying to break into the market, for example a...

Friday, July 2, 2021

Finding ways to get out of credit card debt can be frustrating. There are so many options and yet many people still struggle to find a way to relieve the pressure of high payments and spiraling balances. If you're serious about getting...