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This article examines one's options when receiving a work bonus or other financial windfalls.

The Week In Perspective combines market activity, financial events, commentary and analysis for individual investors.

What are the Key Market and Economic Drivers for November? The stock market continued its strong performance in October despite uncertainty from a government shutdown and renewed trade tensions with China early in the month. Many major indices reached new all-time highs after recovering from a brief period of volatility. Bonds also contributed positively to portfolios as interest rates declined, fueled partly by the Federal Reserve's second consecutive rate cut.

For long-term investors, understanding how inflation affects retirement income, and how to position portfolios to maintain purchasing power, remains as important as ever. What should retirees and those planning for retirement know about navigating today's environment?

The Week In Perspective combines market activity, financial events, commentary and analysis for individual investors.

Are Investors Holding Too Much Cash? For long-term investors, a growing challenge today is how to manage cash as short-term interest rates fall. What appears safe actually comes with real costs beneath the surface, since holding too much cash can quietly undermine long-term financial goals. This comes at an important time, when some investors find themselves with “cash on the sidelines,” including a record $7.3 trillion held in money market funds.

The Week In Perspective combines market activity, financial events, commentary and analysis for individual investors.

The market recently experienced its largest one-day decline since April, driven by escalating tensions between the U.S. and China over rare earth metals and tariff threats. While the brief selloff rattled some investors, markets quickly improved following softer language from the White House around trade. For long-term investors, these swings may feel like déjà vu after a period of relative market calm.

Explore how the One Big Beautiful Bill may affect taxes, deductions, and credits now and in the years ahead.

The Week In Perspective combines market activity, financial events, commentary and analysis for individual investors—Check-in weekly for the most current happenings.

What Is the Impact of a Government Shutdown on the Markets and Economy?

The famous investing principle "don't fight the Fed" was coined in the 1970s but has only grown in significance. The idea is simple: the Federal Reserve's monetary policy decisions can have important effects on markets and the economy, so investors should consider them carefully. At the same time, perspective is needed to focus on the overall path of interest rates, and not individual Fed decisions. This is relevant today as the Fed continues its rate-cutting cycle amid a complex economic environment.

As the Fed cuts rates, what is the role of dividends? Why are dividends are an important consideration for investors? How does corporate strategy and interest rates affect the attractiveness of dividends? How have investors viewed dividends over the past century?

Learn how to coordinate your retirement accounts like an orchestra to help maximize your retirement strategy.

Why does wealth Transfer matter? How much money will be transferred to the next generation? How does planning help ensure a lasting legacy? Over the next two decades, an estimated $84 trillion will transfer from the Silent Generation and Baby Boomers to younger generations, in what economists call the Great Wealth Transfer.1 This shift represents more than just money changing hands – it's already reshaping how families think about financial planning, charitable giving, and building lasting legacies with advanced planning strategies.

A look at what you need to think about when buying a home.

The Week In Perspective combines market activity, financial events, commentary and analysis for individual investors.

The Federal Reserve emphasized that while there is uncertainty around tariffs and inflation, these concerns need to be balanced against supporting the job market. Markets have hovered near all-time highs recently, suggesting that investors agree with the trajectory of Fed policy and have confidence in the economy. What does a potential rate cut mean for long-term investors given the overall outlook?

When it comes to natural disasters, it's important to be prepared for earthquakes and erosion alike. Even though one is immediate and dramatic while the other is slow and gradual, both require careful planning and protective measures. Economic forces are no different - the most challenging situations that households and businesses face aren't always sudden and obvious, but can play out over many years. In the case of inflation, the risk of both sharp price increases and the gradual erosion of purchasing power are affecting financial markets today.

The challenge facing investors today isn't whether artificial intelligence will transform the economy, but how to maintain portfolio balance as the market climbs to new all-time highs. While it’s tempting to focus exclusively on companies that have performed well recently, investing for long-term goals requires a thoughtful approach to both growth and risk management.