2025 in Charts: How the Markets & Economy Performed -Economic Indicators- GDP The GDP chart shows quarterly %change rising across the first three quarters of 2025. The data for the last quarter of 2025 has yet to be released. The series starts around 0.7% in Q1, increases to roughly 1.5% in Q2, and reaches about […]
2025 in Charts: How the Markets & Economy Performed Read More »
By: John Benjamin Last updated: 12/11/2025 Crypto has been around for a while and continues to grow, with more money invested each year. CoinGecko reports that the market went from $1.6 billion in 2013 to $4 trillion in 2025, then dropped to about $3 trillion later that year. Like many people, I wanted to understand
Crypto 101: What Beginners Need to Know About Crypto and Digital Assets Read More »
By John Benjamin, Last updated 12/24/2024 Investing is tricky for a lot of people. We all want to maximize our gains and minimize losses, but the big question is: How? When it comes to stock investing, your first stop is always the company’s financials. Professional investors call this Fundamental Analysis. Fundamental analysis helps investors understand
Applying Fundamental Analysis with 5 Key Ratios: Your Guide to Effective Investing Read More »
By John Benjamin, Last updated 9/30/2024 For every investor utilizing the stock market to generate a return on their investment, one major detail to consider is fees. Fees will cut into your return and can be relatively ambiguous. This is one area we as investors should probably dive deeper into for a greater understanding, more
The Fee Factor: How to Find and Interpret Investment Fee Information Read More »
By John Benjamin, Last edited 05/16/2024 Following up on my previous post on interest rates, I’m diving deeper into the world of interest rates. This post will focus on four key rates: credit card interest rates, mortgage rates, auto loan rates, and the influential Fed Funds Rate. By examining trends, relationships, and patterns in each,
Evolving Landscape: How Interest Rates Have Shifted Over Time Read More »
By John Benjamin: Last updated 12/31/2023 In this post, I decided to explore interest rates, focusing on loans, and borrowing. For some people, the interest rate subject can seem complex and hard to understand, which is understandable. The goal of this post is to try and simplify the more complex aspects of interest rates. For
Interest Rate IQ: Borrow Like a Pro Read More »
By John Benjamin: Last updated 10/29/2023 ETFs have become a common investment option for many retail and institutional investors. Most retail investors have exposure to ETFs via investment accounts or retirement accounts. Although there are many automated options for investors these days including letting your advisor decide how you invest. Investors should have an understanding
ETF NAV: A Simple Guide to Better Investing Decisions Read More »
By John Benjamin: Last updated 09/27/2023 This article will delve into life insurance policies, specifically whole life & term life, and will touch on significant aspects of each. Choosing the right life insurance policy involves careful consideration of many different factors. Identifying your specific needs and goals can help you make an informed decision that
Life Insurance Made Simple: Understanding the Basics and Planning for the Future Read More »
By John Benjamin: Last updated 08/18/2023 In today’s financial landscape, making informed decisions about where to park your money is vital. Whether you’re saving for a down payment on a home, building an emergency fund, or simply looking to grow your wealth, choosing the right savings option can significantly impact your financial journey. Two popular
CD’s Vs. Money Market: Which product is right for you? Read More »
By John Benjamin:Last updated 7/25/2023 Consumption is one of the most critical factors of long-term financial success. What we eat, drink, how we live, and a variety of actions determine our consumption. Consumption or consumer spending is tracked and published as one of the critical components of economic activity. Consumer spending is one of the
Writing Your Way to a Better Budget Read More »
