aging parents Archives - CTS Financial Group

Rough Week for Stocks, with Slight Friday Rally

jmuch2025-03-17T09:44:19-05:00March 17, 2025|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: 401(k), aging parents, alternative investments, artificial intelligence, chicago, college education, CPI, debt, Fed, financial planning, financial strategy, income tax brackets, Inflation, Interest Rates, investing, market volatility, PPI, retirement, risk management, social security, taxes, Trump, wealth management, women|

The Weekly Update

Week of March 17th, 2025
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Investors endured another volatile, whipsaw week as ongoing trade talks and White House comments about the economy unsettled investors.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index declined 2.27 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index dropped 2.43 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 3.07 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, lost 0.95 percent.

Markets Stem Losses
Stocks opened the week lower as investors reacted to the president’s weekend comments about the economy. Then, U.S. and Canadian leaders traded additional tariff threats, riling up anxious investors.3,4
Stocks rebounded midweek after a cooler-than-expected Consumer Price Index (CPI) report eased growing inflation concerns.

The broad market slide resumed Thursday, but better-than-expected February wholesale inflation data helped buffer losses. The S&P 500 ended Thursday in correction territory—10 percent below its February 19 record close.

Markets pushed higher Friday, clawing back some losses for …

Shifted Policy Gears Rev Markets

jmuch2025-03-04T09:43:32-06:00January 27, 2025|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: 401(k), aging parents, AI, alternative investments, artificial intelligence, college education, CPI, debt, estate planning, Fed, financial planning, financial strategy, income tax brackets, Inflation, Interest Rates, investing, market volatility, markets, retirement, risk management, social security, taxes, wealth management, wealth transfer, women|

The Weekly Update

Week of January 27th, 2025
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks rallied last week as investors reacted positively to a handful of better-than-expected corporate earnings reports and developments out of Washington, D.C.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index gained 1.74 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index added 1.65 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.15 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, added 3.03 percent.

Flurry of News
Markets surged over the first three trading days as investors cheered a flurry of new policy announcements and executive orders following Monday’s inauguration. For example, investors responded to news that the White House trade team is considering taking a softer stance on tariffs.3
It was also a good week for Q4 company reports and other upbeat corporate news.

Markets leveled off Friday as investors were disappointed that existing home sales fell to a 30-year low. But for the week, …

Investors Read Inflation Risk in Job Numbers

jmuch2025-01-13T08:32:22-06:00January 13, 2025|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: 401(k), aging parents, artificial intelligence, chicago, CPI, estate planning, Fed, financial planning, financial strategy, Inflation, insurance, Interest Rates, investing, market volatility, markets, retirement, risk management, social security, wealth management, wealth transfer, women|

The Weekly Update

Week of January 13th, 2025
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks fell for the second consecutive week as a round of fresh economic data stoked inflationary fears among investors.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index declined 1.94 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index dropped 2.34 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.86 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, slipped 0.49 percent.

Inflation Stymies Markets
Stocks rallied broadly to start the week, but two economic reports on Tuesday—job openings and the prices-paid index among service companies—raised fresh inflation concerns. Higher Treasury yields also put pressure on stocks.

Stocks flattened out on Wednesday. Investors reacted to news that most Federal Open Market Committee members agreed inflation risks had increased, per minutes from the Fed’s December meeting.

U.S. stock markets were closed Thursday in observance of President Jimmy Carter’s funeral.

On Friday, a warmer-than-expected December jobs report caused investors to …

Caring For Aging Parents – Part III

jmuch2025-03-25T10:19:40-05:00February 28, 2024|Categories: Resource Center|Tags: aging parents, retirement, retirement planning, sandwich generation|

HOW TO CARE FOR AGING PARENTS – PART III

As your parents age, it’s essential to focus on improving their quality of life by addressing their housing, transportation, medical care, and social needs. Aging may require modifications to their current living situation, such as retrofitting the home for safety or moving to a more accessible space. If managing a household independently becomes too challenging, part-time or full-time care, or even relocating to an assisted living facility, might become necessary. Discussing these options early on can help in making decisions that support their well-being.

Another significant challenge is when your parents are no longer able to drive. It’s important to create a plan to help them maintain mobility and independence. Alternatives like taxis, rideshare services (Uber, Lyft), or public transit can be helpful, and you can also offer to drive them to appointments when possible. While this can be a difficult transition …

Caring for Aging Parents – Part II

jmuch2025-03-25T10:15:06-05:00February 28, 2024|Categories: Resource Center|Tags: aging parents, retirement, retirement planning, sandwich generation|

Caring For Aging Parents Part II

How to Care for Aging Parents – Part Two

Caring for aging parents requires having important conversations about their end-of-life and financial wishes. By starting these discussions early, you can ensure that their preferences are respected when the time comes, and they have time to reflect on their choices.

A crucial part of this conversation involves discussing their end-of-life wishes. Topics to address include funeral preferences, burial versus cremation, and where they’d like their remains to rest. By having these discussions early, you help your parents make thoughtful decisions. It’s also important to talk about their wishes regarding medical care and organ donation, which can be outlined in a Living Will. This ensures that if they are unable to communicate their desires later, their choices are known.

Estate planning documents play a key role in organizing their affairs. A Last Will outlines how their assets should …

Caring for Aging Parents – Part I

jmuch2025-03-25T10:23:56-05:00February 28, 2024|Categories: Resource Center|Tags: aging parents, estate planning, retirement, retirement planning, sandwich generation|

CARING FOR AGING PARENTS

As the population over 65 continues to grow due to healthier lifestyles and medical advancements, many people are facing the challenge of caring for aging parents. One of the most difficult conversations to have with an aging parent involves discussing extended medical care. These conversations can be emotionally charged and difficult, but approaching them with a strategy can help make the process smoother.

To start, it’s important to gather essential information before having the discussion. This includes details about your parent’s primary physician, specialists, medications, allergies, and their medical and estate management paperwork. Having documents like the Medicare card, insurance information, durable power of attorney for healthcare, and estate documents ready can also help guide the conversation.

While it’s important to be thorough in gathering information, you should also be prepared for an emotional response. The transition from being a provider to a dependent can be difficult for …