Happy New Year and welcome to 2022! We hope that you and your family had an enjoyable holiday season. We look forward to what this new year has to offer.
Our primary goal for the new year is to continue to help optimize your journey toward your financial goals. A key component to this is to identify items that you may anticipate needing our assistance with. In order to start the new year proactively, included in this communication is a 2022 Checklist to help you identify items you may want to address with us over the next year.
In 2022, we will continue to offer the following services to our clients.
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• Client review meetings.
• Quarterly economic updates.
• Tax reports to keep you updated on proactive tax saving opportunities and changes.
• Regularly scheduled live and online educational workshops on timely topics.
• Consistent and meaningful articles on topics that directly affect you.
• Client appreciation events and a special event for clients who support our “Growth Initiative.”
Looking Ahead to 2022
While there are many aspects to overall financial planning, the following are some specific areas we will continue to watch carefully as we head into the new year.
Interest Rates
Interest rate movements continue to be critical for investors. While the federal funds rate is ending 2021 at a range of 0 – 0.25%, the Federal Reserve has announced they will eliminate their taper in early 2022 and expect to make multiple interest rate hikes through the year.
Inflation
Inflationary concerns are important for investors. Rising inflation rates have escalated many prices for consumers in 2021. The Labor Department reported in December that although consumer prices in 2021 rose at their fastest pace in 39 years, they are expecting 2022’s rise to be lower.
COVID-19
Economic recovery is still appearing to run parallel to the course of Covid-19 and its variants. We will continue to stay apprised of the direction of recovery efforts and how they are affecting the economy.
Monetary Policy
2021 saw its share of tax law changes. We are carefully tracking any changes that could affect our client’s personal situation and will continue to keep them apprised of those changes if and should they happen.
Stock Market Valuations
Valuations are used as key predictors of equity returns. Many stock prices are near historical highs and so are their valuations. While we cannot predict long- and short-term valuations, we can continue to help you identify your risk tolerance and time horizons. We will also guide you to use practical behavior during times of market volatility.
Your Personal Situation
First and foremost, your personal situation is our highest priority. We are here to help you with any financial moves or concerns you have throughout the year. We understand that each individual and household has different goals and needs. We will continue our tradition of keeping you informed of any changes that we think may affect your personal situation.
We enter 2022 with the continued mantra of “proceed with caution”. Having a solid foundation and strategy is critical to the outcome of your financial plans. Revisiting those plans and keeping them current is also a sound practice we feel should be conducted on a consistent basis. Our mission is to provide you with guidance and support on the road to your financial goals. We are staying updated on the issues that may affect your personal situation.