Barnes Wealth Management Group

The Fed’s next move will get plenty of attention.

But if rates start moving higher again, the bigger story may be what happens after that first increase.

In four of the last five hiking cycles, the S&P 500 was higher a year after the first hike. The exception was the aggressive 2022–23 cycle, when rates climbed from 0.25% to 5.5%.

See why the pace of future rate hikes may matter just as much as the first move: https://barneswealth.com/insights/blog/market-commentary-a-hot-economy-meets-a-reluctant-fed/

How much could your 401(k) grow by the time you’re ready to retire?

It can be tough to picture what today’s contributions could mean years down the road. A few simple numbers can help put it into perspective.

Try our 401(k) calculator to see how your savings could add up over time and get a better sense of whether you’re on track. https://barneswealth.com/401k-calculator/

Looking for smart strategies for preparing for retirement?

We’ve got 10 practical retirement planning tips that can help you build the financial foundation you need for the next chapter of your life.

Consider adding some of these to your retirement to-do list: https://barneswealth.com/insights/blog/10-ways-to-prepare-for-retirement/

Determining what age to begin claiming your Social Security benefit is a big decision. You could start as early as 62 or wait later—up until age 70.

There are a few factors to consider as you make your plan. We break it down for you here: https://barneswealth.com/insights/blog/when-should-i-start-claiming-social-security/

August is usually considered a weak month for stocks. This year, the S&P 500 is up about 3% with one trading day left.

That matters, because when August was positive and stocks were already up 10% to 17.5% for the year, the final four months gained in 10 of 11 past instances.

It’s a small historical sample, not a forecast. But it’s one reason September’s bad reputation may not tell the whole story this year.

See what the seasonal data is showing heading into fall: https://barneswealth.com/insights/blog/market-commentary-a-strong-august-sets-stocks-up-for-a-better-september-than-feared/

You probably have a good idea of how much you’ve saved for retirement.

But that number is only part of the story.

Your income, how much you’re still saving, what you expect to spend, and how you invest can all affect the picture.

Answer six quick questions to get a better sense of your retirement readiness: https://www.barneswealth.com/retirement-planning-quiz/

Retirement might be your main goal, but it’s probably not the only one.

You may also be planning for healthcare costs, college for a child or grandchild, or other long-term needs.

That’s where tax-advantaged accounts come in. A 401(k), Roth IRA, HSA, or 529 can each offer different tax benefits depending on the account and how it’s used.

See how these accounts work across different parts of your financial plan: https://www.barneswealth.com/insights/blog/how-to-leverage-tax-advantaged-accounts/

Ten years from retirement, you still have time to save, adjust, and think seriously about the life you want to fund.

Five years out, the conversation gets more practical. What will you spend? Where will your income come from? Are you on track?

With one year to go, it’s time to start putting more of the plan into motion and even “test drive” what retirement might feel like.

See what may deserve your attention at each stage: https://www.barneswealth.com/insights/blog/what-you-need-to-do-10-5-and-1-year-before-retirement/

A lot of the headlines around the markets right now are focused on stocks, but there’s another part of the market worth watching: debt.

Debt is becoming a bigger part of the market story—from $40 trillion in U.S. government debt to the growing use of debt to fund the AI boom.

While we believe the summery rally looks likely to continue, it’s a reminder to keep the bigger picture in view.

Get our full analysis on recent market moves: https://www.barneswealth.com/insights/blog/market-commentary-debt-takes-center-stage-from-washington-to-the-ai-buildout/

Most of us have a picture in our minds of what we want our investments to do for us over time.

But have you ever stopped to think about what those expectations say about how much risk you’re comfortable taking?

Try the Investment Risk Tolerance Quiz to get a better sense of how you think about risk and long-term growth: https://barneswealth.com/risk-tolerance-quiz/