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Stocks fell last week as investors reacted to mixed economic data and concerns over signs of broadening AI disruption of business models.The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 1.39 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index declined 2.10...

The Internal Revenue Service recently released new limits for 2026. Although these adjustments won’t bring any major changes, there are some minor elements to note.Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs)IRA contribution limits are up...

When you see the word “forecast,” it should be closely followed by, “Forecasts are based on assumptions and are subject to revisions over time. Financial, economic, political, and regulatory issues may cause the actual results to...

Stocks trended lower last week amid signs of year-end profit-taking and some sour investor sentiment over the Fed meeting minutes.The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 1.03 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index lost 1.52 percent....

Key Year-End Financial Checklist

Alex Panas, CFP^®, AIF^®

Thursday, December 18, 2025

As the year wraps up, it’s the perfect time to make smart, strategic moves that can strengthen your financial picture. In this video, Managing Partner and Wealth Planner Alex Panas, CFP®, AIF® from Synthesis Wealth Planning breaks...

The Internal Revenue Service recently released new limits for 2026. Although these adjustments won’t bring any major changes, there are some minor elements to note. Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) IRA contribution limits are up...

Stocks pushed higher over the holiday week as investors' hopes for a Fed rate adjustment drove bullish sentiment. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 3.73 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index rallied 4.91 percent. The Dow Jones...

The Internal Revenue Service recently released new limits for 2026. Although these adjustments won’t bring any major changes, there are some minor elements to note. Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) IRA contribution limits are up...

As an investor, should you be more concerned about the value of your groceries or artificial intelligence? It may seem like a silly question, but there’s a serious answer. One way to measure a stock’s valuation is by looking at what’s...

As the year winds down, it’s the perfect time to review your charitable giving strategy. In this short video, we share tips to help you give with purpose — from maximizing tax benefits to aligning your donations with your broader...

Stocks rose last week thanks to a full slate of upbeat third-quarter corporate results and mild inflation data, which helped soften concerns over trade tensions with China. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index gained 1.92 percent, while...

“What’s the purpose of a retirement strategy?” It’s a simple question, but most get the answer wrong. Artificial intelligence got it wrong. AI Gemini says, “The purpose of creating a retirement strategy is to act as a comprehensive,...

Hardly a day goes by that someone doesn’t say to me, “I’m putting off a decision until the Fed changes interest rates.” But I’m quick to remind people that the “rate dominoes” don’t always fall as you may expect. Here’s what could...

Stocks made gains last week, even as megacap tech gains outweighed economic concerns. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index advanced 0.33 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index rose 1.14 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average...

There’s something for everyone in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025. In fact, the Tax Foundation calculated that the new law avoided a tax hike on 62 percent of tax filers in 2026. In dollars and cents, that works out to almost...

The last two weeks of July were about as action-packed as it gets for investors. Here’s a quick recap of the highlights: The U.S. economy. Gross domestic product grew at a 3 percent rate in Q2, better than the 2.3 percent forecast....

If I told you young people are the fastest adopters of AI, would you be surprised? Unlikely. But, if I told you the biggest percentage increase of AI users in the past year was people 65+, you might give me a double-take! Today’s...

Just before the July 4th holiday, Congress passed a domestic policy bill that extended the 2017 tax cuts that were set to expire this year while making some of the 2017 rules permanent. The bill also created several new tax laws for...

Who the heck is TINA? TINA is an acronym that stands for “There Is No Alternative” to stocks. And for most retirement-minded investors, TINA is their money manager. As you can see, 71% of 401(k) account balances were allocated to...

Isaac Newton might be smiling if he looked at the charts for eggs, cocoa, and coffee prices. To traders, they are a lesson on how markets can reach an extreme and then correct. But to Newton, they are simply a lesson in gravity....

No more passing them by when you see one on the sidewalk. Forget about wasting a couple by putting them in your loafers. And don’t even consider throwing them into a wishing well. The Treasury Department has announced that it is...

Stocks roared higher last week, powered by upbeat trade news and tame inflation reports. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 5.27 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index spiked 7.15 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 3...

Stocks were lower last week as volatility dropped despite ongoing trade concerns and the Federal Reserve's update on short-term rates The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 0.16 percent, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index lost 0...

The Fed’s May meeting was pretty much a humdrum event. Even Fed Chair Powell's post-meeting press conference was uneventful. “We are always going to do the same thing,” he said. “We are going to use our tools to foster maximum...

Have you heard the expression, “Watch what people do, not what they say?” That’s important these days when it comes to the economic outlook. Some people are “saying” the word recession like it’s a foregone conclusion. But let’s take a...

Tracking inflation is like herding cats these days. Should you believe the monthly updates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, what the Fed says about future prices, or your own experience at the grocery store? The answer is maybe a...

The March consumer inflation report, which showed some prices at their lowest level in more than four years, was overlooked among all the tariff headlines. Core inflation, which excludes the volatile food and energy factors, rose at a...

Every investor knows there are highs and lows during the year. The challenge is remaining focused during the lows. As the 2025 tariff talks have progressed, stock prices have seen more down days than up days as the details get rolled...

When Warren Buffett said, “Be fearful when others are greedy and be greedy when others are fearful,” he wasn’t just talking about investing. He championed contrarian thinking and urged people to capitalize when groupthink can result...

Forget the Fed frenzy and take a timeout from tariff talk. Let's focus on what's really scrambling the markets right now: egg prices. After reaching an all-time high of $8.17 a dozen in early March, prices have trended lower and may...

Warren Buffett, known by some as the Oracle of Omaha, gets much attention whenever he speaks on the record. In a letter opening his company’s annual report, he’s again caught the ear of the business world.1 Some highlights from the...

When you hear “hot dog” and “inflation” in the same sentence, you might think of those supermarket franks that plump up when cooked. In this case, we’re talking about the original dogs of the ballpark, a cultural touchstone of...

Synthesis Wealth Planning watches many economic trends and business issues evolve as a financial firm. The rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) during the past year has been remarkable, and it has spotlighted the fast-paced...

The Standard & Poor’s 500 companies will start reporting on business conditions in Q2 in just a few days. Companies that are comfortable may also give a glimpse into their outlook for Q3 and beyond.1,2 Investors will hear from money...

Learn about a few of the services that we offer the LGBTQ+ community. Synthesis Wealth Planning prides itself on providing our financial services to a diverse client base.

The 2024 Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) Retirement Confidence Survey was recently released, and it provides an illuminating look at the current state of retirement preparations and mindsets across the country. While the...

Stocks notched a solid gain last week, rallying behind upbeat earnings, a dovish Fed, and mixed economic data. Stocks Pop, Drop, Then Rally Markets began the week with an upward bump as positive news from some mega-cap tech companies...

Recently there was an article in which a financial columnist for a major publication was the victim of an elaborate and expensive scam. The con transpired over several hours, but it began with a phone call from a "trusted" retailer's...

Stocks fell last week as investors reacted to disappointing inflation updates and other economic reports that fell short of estimates. Stocks Snap Winning Streak Markets were quiet Monday but opened lower Tuesday in response to the...

Stocks continued their upward climb last week as excitement around big tech continued; positive economic reports stoked investors’ belief that the Federal Reserve has pulled off a soft landing. Stocks Power Ahead Big tech was...

Stocks retreated in the first trading week of 2024, struggling a bit after a celebratory end to last year as investors second-guessed Fed signals and fretted over lingering inflation concerns. New Year Blues Stocks got off to a rough...

The Internal Revenue Service recently released updated income tax brackets, standard deduction, and retirement contribution limits for the 2024 tax year. While these taxes are not due for some time, it may benefit you to start...

A powerful Friday rally left stocks higher last week, extending the market’s early November gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.65%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 advanced 1.31%. The Nasdaq Composite index...

Investors know that the stock market moves in cycles, but few are comfortable when the cycle takes stock prices lower. And since late August, the cycle has been decidedly lower. If you’re looking for reasons to worry, you...

How long has it been since you’ve reviewed your Medicare policy? With open enrollment beginning soon, there are a few questions you may want to ask before you renew, add, drop, or switch coverage. Have you changed or added...

Rising bond yields and government shutdown fears left stocks in mostly negative territory for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.34%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 slipped 0.74%. The Nasdaq Composite index was...

It’s football season. School is back in session, the days are getting shorter, and the weather is starting to turn. If you sit down to watch your alma mater play, your “to-do” list may grow. Your car may only have...

Stocks fluctuated last week, jostled by fitful bond yields and headline news, before ending strongly following Fed Chair Powell’s comments on the monetary outlook. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.45%, while the...

529 Withdrawal Reminder

Daniel C. Singer, CFP®, ADPA®

Friday, August 18, 2023

As the summer draws to a close and students prepare to head back to college, families with 529 plans should take the time to review and understand the eligible expenses that can be covered by these valuable education savings accounts....

Stocks retreated last week as bond yields increased following the Treasury's announcement indicating “a larger-than-expected funding need” and a downgrade in the federal government’s debt rating. The Dow Jones...

Now that summer is in full swing, it's the perfect time to take a trip. But sometimes, even your best-laid plans go a little off-kilter.Here are a few of the most common travel issues and how to make sure that no matter what happens,...

Will PowerOnly one-third of adults have an estate strategy document such as a will in place, which may not be entirely surprising. No one wants to be reminded of their own mortality or spend too much time thinking...

A glimpse of what has been happening here at Synthesis.

Independence Day serves as an occasion to reflect upon the principles and values that define the United States of America.This is a time to honor our founders' vision, courage, and sacrifices, through which they secured the cherished...

Our very own Alex Panas CFP®, AIF® was able to sit down with Mark Schoenback to give some helpful insight on maximizing growth and efficiency with EOS. The Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) is a set of simple...

We're excited to announce that Kim S. Luthy, CFP®, CDFA®, and Director of Wealth Planning at Synthesis Wealth Planning has recently received the Leaders in Finance Award for 2023. Kim was one of 10 recipients in New Jersey to...

See how Synthesis Planning enjoyed a nice Sunday afternoon. Synthesis Wealth Planning is proud to participate in local events and looks forward to taking part in more community events.

Markets moved in sync last week with perceived movement in debt ceiling talks, weakening early in the week and then surging on news of progress. A solid quarterly report and guidance from a mega-cap technology company helped with...

What is a bull market, and more importantly, who determines if we are in one?Technically speaking, a bull market is defined as a 20% gain in a stock market index, such as the Standard & Poor's 500, from a closing low.So are we in one?...

Would it surprise you to hear that investors have moved past worrying about inflation? They have, at least for now.Wall Street has shifted its attention to Washington’s budget negotiations and how the debt ceiling will be...

Summer’s here, and the time is right for fun in the sun (or shade). Like many of us, you’re probably looking forward to an extended getaway or family trip. But summer also means planning for hot weather, which can come with...

Don't hold a surprise birthday party for Jerome Powell. He would hate it. And if you plan on visiting the Fed Chair, call first. He doesn't like surprises.Powell delivered on his March promise at the most recent Fed meeting by...