Posts by Steve Pollock
2nd Quarter 2026 – Economic and Market Update
Q1 2026 in review: oil shock, S&P 500 down 4.3%, commodities up 24.4%, the cease-fire that became a blockade — and the planning moves that matter most coming out of a quarter like this one.
Read MoreIt’s Now More Common To Have A Baby In Your Thirties Than In Your Twenties
When Does Refinancing Actually Make Sense? A 2026 Reality Check
If you locked in a mortgage at 7% or higher in 2023 or 2024, you’ve probably been watching rates with one eye open for a while now. Thirty-year fixed rates have settled into the low 6% range. Freddie Mac’s weekly average hit 6.23% as of April 23, 2026, down from 6.30% the prior week. That’s…
Read MoreRobot Umps, Cap Taps, and the New Game Within the Game
By Team Reason | Reason Financial & Tax If you’ve watched a baseball game this season you’ve noticed something new. A batter freezes on a called third strike, pauses for a beat, then reaches up and taps his helmet. The stadium screen flashes an animated pitch trajectory. The crowd holds its breath. And then: ball…
Read More1st Quarter 2026 – Economic and Market Update
An Economic and Market Update February 2026 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2025 ended a third straight of positive domestic equity returns. Introducing our Chief Investment Officer Brian Andrew. Trump Accounts are around the corner. Check out https://trumpaccounts.gov/ for how to make an election to open an account. This was a year where the various moving parts all…
Read MoreTrump Accounts Under IRC §530A: A Guide to What They Are, How to Elect Them, and What Happens Next
Executive Summary Trump Accounts (IRC §530A) are a new federal, tax-advantaged investment account for children, structured as a special kind of traditional IRA that is owned by the child but managed by an authorized adult while the child is a minor. They are not a social media platform or consumer subscription service. The IRS describes…
Read MoreHow Valentines Day is like Tax Day
ROSES ARE RED, TAXES ARE DUE: HOW VALENTINE’s DAY IS BASICALLY APRIL 15th IN DISGUISE At first glance, Valentine’s Day and the tax deadline seem like opposites. One promises romance, chocolates, and candlelit dinners. The other delivers receipts, spreadsheets, and mild panic. But look a little closer, and you’ll realize they have more in common…
Read More2026 Market Outlook
The following 2026 Market Outlook is authored by Brian Andrew, Chief Investment Officer at Merit Financial Group, LLC, an SEC registered investment adviser. Mr. Andrew, formerly Executive Vice President at Johnson Financial Group, oversees Merit’s investment department and leads asset allocation decision-making for client portfolios. As we expand our content offerings this year, we’re excited…
Read MoreCalSavers Requirements – Fully Effective 12/31/2025
CalSavers Requirements California now requires all employers with at least one employee to offer a retirement savings plan. This mandate is fully phased in by December 31, 2025. Below is a summary of next steps: Who Must Comply by 12/31/25? Any California employer with 1 or more employees Applies even if employees are part-time or…
Read MoreWhat is the yield curve and why does it matter?
What is the yield curve and why does it matter? It’s hard to predict a recession—when to expect one, how severe it might be, and what a recovery could look like. And yet, for all of the variables around predicting a potential recession, there’s one indicator that has been largely accurate, predicting every U.S. recession…
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