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from the RetirementDNA blog

Estate Planning: Important Considerations Amid Political Uncertainty

K. Brad Tedrick, CFA®, CFP® After a lifetime of working hard, saving diligently, and investing wisely, one of the key considerations is how to pass these assets to future generations. This is where estate planning comes in. While many investors…

Monthly Market Update for May 2025: A Positive Month Despite U.S. Debt Downgrade

Blog, Investing, Investment Planning, Markets

K. Brad Tedrick, CFA®, CFP® Financial markets rebounded in May with the S&P 500 recovering its year-to-date losses. This positive month occurred against a backdrop of new trade agreements, mixed economic signals, and ongoing concerns…

What Debt, Deficits, and the Moody’s Downgrade Mean for Investors

Blog, Investing, Investment Planning, Markets, Risk Management

K. Brad Tedrick, CFA®, CFP® Moody's recent downgrade of the U.S. credit rating marks an official end to the country’s top-tier debt status. Following Fitch's downgrade in 2023 and Standard & Poor's move in 2011, Moody's decision to…

Planning for Rising Health Care Costs and the Role of HSAs

Blog, Investment Planning, Risk Management

K. Brad Tedrick, CFA®, CFP® The cost of health care continues to climb with no signs of slowing down, making it one of the most significant expenses in retirement. A 65-year-old retiring today could spend approximately $165,000 on health…

Special Update: What U.S.-China Trade Progress Means for Investors

Blog, Investing, Investment Planning, Markets, Risk Management

K. Brad Tedrick, CFA®, CFP® The recent trade announcement between the U.S. and China reverses many of the tariffs that rattled financial markets beginning in April. This agreement, which lasts 90 days, lowers U.S. tariff rates on China…

Lessons from Warren Buffett for Today’s Market

Blog, Financial Planning, Investing, Investment Planning

K. Brad Tedrick, CFA®, CFP® A key principle of investing is that patience, discipline, and maintaining a long-term perspective are what drive financial success. Perhaps no investor has captured this wisdom as eloquently as Warren Buffett…

Understanding Consumer Debt in a Two-Speed Economy

Blog, Investment Planning, Retirement Income Planning

K. Brad Tedrick, CFA®, CFP® The financial health of consumers is an important indicator of the broader economy. Consumer spending represents about 70% of all spending across the economy, and steady purchases are one reason…

College Planning: Key Financial Considerations

Blog, Financial Planning

K. Brad Tedrick, CFA®, CFP® Benjamin Franklin once said that “an investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” As many high school seniors prepare to make their final college decisions, families face one of the most significant financial…

Monthly Market Update for April 2025: Lessons After a Historic Month

Blog, Investment Planning, Markets, Risk Management

K. Brad Tedrick, CFA®, CFP® April was one of the most volatile months in history as markets reacted to new tariff announcements. However, even though the S&P 500 fell as much as 12% during the month, the index rebounded and closed…

What Bond Volatility and the Battle Over Fed Policy Mean for Investors

Blog, Investment Planning, Risk Management

K. Brad Tedrick, CFA®, CFP® Just like in the stock market, greater uncertainty has led to swings in the bond market. These moves, driven by tariffs and a dispute between the White House and the Fed, have pushed interest rates and bond…

The Bigger Picture on U.S. and China Tensions

Blog, Investment Planning, Risk Management

K. Brad Tedrick, CFA®, CFP® Trade tensions between the United States and China have escalated in recent weeks, with both countries implementing unprecedented tariff increases. For the moment, the U.S. has raised tariffs on Chinese goods…

The Importance of Offense and Defense in Challenging Markets

Blog, Financial Planning, Investment Planning, News, Risk Management

K. Brad Tedrick, CFA®, CFP® Concerns that a trade war will lead to a recession have spread around the globe. The possibility of retaliatory tariffs is on investors’ minds, with China responding with counter-tariffs, increasing the odds…

Special Update: Reciprocal Tariffs and the Market Reaction

Blog, Financial Planning, Investment Planning, Markets, Risk Management

K. Brad Tedrick, CFA®, CFP® On April 2, President Trump announced new tariffs on nearly all major trading partners. These tariffs are “reciprocal” in that they correspond to tariffs each country imposes on U.S. goods and are on top…

What the Fed’s Rate Pause Means for Long-Term Investors

Blog, Financial Planning, Investment Planning, Markets, Risk Management

K. Brad Tedrick, CFA®, CFP® Federal Reserve policy has been a key driver of markets over the past few years. It’s not surprising to investors that changes in policy direction have resulted in market swings, most notably in 2022 when…

Understanding Market Corrections and the Impact of Trade Policy

Blog, Financial Planning, Investment Planning, Markets, Risk Management

K. Brad Tedrick, CFA®, CFP® The financial markets have entered correction territory as trade policy concerns create turbulence, particularly affecting technology shares. The recurring nature of these market swings may leave investors feeling…

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Investment advice offered through Integrated Partners, doing business as RetirementDNA. Please note the other companies referenced on this website are separate entities from RetirementDNA and Integrated Partners and are not authorized to provide, and do not provide investment advisory services.