Blog

Posted By Lineweaver Financial Group
June 29, 2021 Category: General, Finance, Educational, Commentary

  The country is opening again after the severe disruptions we saw over the last year. But, the stimulus of the past year, coupled with the growing economy and some of the shortages we have experienced are causing rising prices. In fact, the labor department is reporting the fastest pace of inflation since 2008. So, what is inflation, and how you can help protect your portfolio?   First, let’s go over the differences between reflation and inflation. Reflation is more akin to what we are seeing now –price increases due to the reopening and growing economy, as the economy works its way back to full employment. Inflation is generally increasing prices in a more stable situation – when an economy is at full capacity, and unemployment is generally low.   To most of us, higher prices affect us negatively, regardless of the root cause. Shopkick, a retail marketing app, surveyed 19,000 consumers to see what their experience with inflation was. Of those, 86% have noticed increased prices, and 83% plan to tighten their belts because of it.   Inflation is a problem because it eats at the value of your retirement savings. Average inflation is about 3.23% according to tradingeconomics.com. So, even in optimal economic conditions, you’re losing 3% or more of your savings most years. But there are some strategies you can use to help protect yourself, your family, and your hard-earned money.    First, there are certain asset cl

Posted By Lineweaver Financial Group
June 09, 2021 Category: General, News, Awards, Crain's, Investment. Advisers

We are humbled and excited to share that we have been ranked in the top 20 of Crain’s Cleveland’s annual list of Registered Investment Advisors based on assets under management. We were especially excited to move up on the list, after ranking in the top 25 in 2019 and 2020. While this is a great milestone and accomplishment for us, we know that there are really two reasons for it: a great staff, and client trust. Our staff work hard and go the extra mile for clients, and in turn clients trust us, and use us as a valued sounding board, as well as introduce us to their family and friends. To us, there is no higher recognition. We also believe in personal service. We know how frustrated people are with phone trees and digital assistants where they have to answer questions, and are often transferred and re-routed. We live in a fast-paced world that requires cutting edge technology and the latest market analysis to make smart, informed decisions for all our clients. But, when it comes to service, we believe in a personal touch. You’ll always speak with a person, and we pride ourselves on getting you answers to your questions in 24 hours or less. For nearly 30 years our team of qualified, experienced, and credentialed professionals has provided our private and corporate clients with a plethora of options for their financial needs. Our success lies with our continued commitment to providing clients with sound advice, world class customer service, and accessib

Posted By Lineweaver Financial Group
April 26, 2021 Category: General, Finance, Educational, Commentary

When we think about the roaring 20s, nearly a hundred years ago, we all think of a decade of growth and celebration! And there were really 2 reasons for that: The end of World War One and the end of the Spanish Flu Pandemic. While we don’t have the end of a major war, we are starting to see the end of the pandemic on the horizon and getting closer to herd immunity. But is that enough to kick off the roaring 20s for us again? First, let’s consider this year so far. We had a solid first quarter: the S&P was up 6.2%, the Dow was up 6.8%, and the US lead the world according to the MSCI. Even the Russell 2000 was up 13% in a sign that small caps are recovering. The driver of much of this growth is the growing vaccine numbers- on April 21st, President Biden announced that over 200 million people have received at least one dose of a Covid vaccine. With herd immunity on the horizon, and the likely lifting of restrictions this spring or summer, it’s no surprise to imagine that a lot of people will be traveling, making major purchases, and generally heading out and celebrating. There does appear to be significant pent-up demand – certainly enough to return to normal, and maybe then some besides. The wherewithal to spend is certainly there. As of February, the savings rate in the US was about 13%- double the historical average! So, consumers do seem coiled for recovery, which would affect travel, leisure, housing, and many other sectors of the economy. P

Posted By Lineweaver Financial Group
April 06, 2021 Category: General, Economy, Fraud, Educational

In recent months, criminal organizations at both the local and international level have been using the identities of U.S. citizens to open accounts and file fraudulent claims for unemployment benefits, exploiting the unprecedented expansion of these benefits provided in response to economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. There are many ways that they are doing this, and the schemes range from targeting Medicare, social media, robocalls, and unemployment insurance.   While not all schemes revolve around some form of identity theft, many do. According to Experian, one of the three major credit reporting agencies, here are some telltale signs of identity theft: •    You no longer get your household bills in the mail.  •    You’ve been turned down for a loan or credit card.  •    You’re being billed for items you didn’t purchase.  •    Your financial accounts show charges you don’t recognize.  •    Your tax return was rejected.  •    Small test charges appear on your credit card statement.  •    Your creditors alert you to suspicious activity.  It’s important to keep an eye out and be aware of anything out of the ordinary. There are also steps you can take to protect yourself such as password protecting your devices, never giving out information ove

Posted By Lineweaver Financial Group
April 06, 2021 Category: General, Health, Educational

Although evidence is slowly mounting, we have a great deal to learn about the relationship between inflammation and anxiety. Anxiety disorders are common. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2015, an estimated 3.6% of the global population had an anxiety disorder, which is around 264 million people. What is Inflammation? Inflammation is a protective response that helps the body rid itself of the offending stimuli and protect the body. However, if inflammation persists, it can damage the cells and tissues it is designed to protect. Linking Inflammation and Anxiety Although there is now good evidence of links between inflammation and depression, less research has examined the relationship between inflammation and anxiety. Steadily, scientists are building up a body of evidence. Anxiety disorders are characterized by mental distress. However, they may also be associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis, and metabolic disorders. Because these conditions involve low grade systemic inflammation and because depression often comes hand in hand with anxiety, some scientists are asking whether inflammation might therefore play a part in anxiety disorders. The Take-Home Although the evidence of a link between inflammation and mental health is becoming stronger, scientists have a long path to traverse before they fully understand the importance of this relationship. The immune system is an incredibly complicated topic, and menta

Posted By Lineweaver Financial Group
April 06, 2021 Category: General, Finance, Educational, Commentary

Vaccine-led Restart The new nominal theme – which flags a more muted response in nominal government bond yields to rising inflation than in the past – has played out since last year. Inflation-adjusted yields, or real yields, have fallen further into negative territory as a result. Additional fiscal spending could turbocharge a vaccine-led economic restart later this year – one that we believe may exceed market expectations. Activity in many services sectors is already compressed with less room to decline further. Businesses have also adapted to an environment of social distancing, allowing operations to continue. Consensus expectations of the size of the shock have been revised down materially, particularly for the euro area. Vaccine rollouts are likely to stoke a sharper-than-anticipated rebound. A Different Shock We see pent-up demand in contact-intense services rebounding sharply once restrictions lift in the U.S. and euro area – as seen in China, and supported by the accumulation in personal savings. U.S. consumers have built up a savings buffer equivalent to more than 12% of annual consumer spending over the past year. Not only is the policy response this time far more overwhelming, but a large part of economic activity will restart on its own once the pandemic is under control, in our view. This is a key difference with the Global Financial Crisis (GFC). The objective of the current policy response has been different: it is not to stimulate

Posted By Lineweaver Financial Group
March 29, 2021 Category: General, Economy, Interest Rates, Educational

 In the last year, low interest   rates have become the norm   as the Fed has used them to   combat the economic effects   of the Coronavirus. This can   make it challenging for   investments like CDs, your   savings accounts – even high   yield accounts – to make   enough to outpace inflation. That means that your money is essentially becoming less valuable over time, which gives you less buying power. Let’s talk about some strategies you can use in a low interest rate environment. Bonds are really the classic vehicle for generating income. On the downside, they will fluctuate with interest rate moves and have default risk. But they can generate income and serve as a ballast in a portfolio when equity values are volatile. Individual bonds may be difficult to buy, but bond mutual funds and ETFs can offer diversity and make the process easier and more cost efficient. One of the things that you can do is to create a bond ladder – so you’re investing in bonds that mature at different times or over a certain period. And, as these mature, you reinvest them in a new bond. That way you are constantly earning a return higher than what you may find at most banks and as interest rates change, you are taking advantage of the latest and hopefully highest rates available. Another option is Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities, often known as

Posted By Lineweaver Financial Group
March 13, 2021 Category: General, Economy, Tax Planning

  As we get into tax season, filing for 2020 is fundamentally different from most tax years, especially in light of Covid and the stimulus packages passed last year. We thought it would be helpful to share a few general tax tips to keep in mind as you’re working with your tax advisor. The first thing to consider is the tax stimulus credits. The EIP (Economic Impact Payment, aka stimulus check) is actually a 2020 tax credit that was advanced to taxpayers as part of the Cares Act. Certain qualifications, such as income levels and dependency status, impact the amount the taxpayer may receive. The first round allowed for a maximum of $1200 per qualifying adult and $500 per qualifying dependent child (age 16 and under). The second round allowed for $600 per adult and $600 for dependents 16 and under. Another consideration during 2020 tax preparation is the group of taxpayers caught in in-between – taxpayers age 17 and over, usually high school and college children still claimed as dependents by their parent. When filing 2020 tax returns, parents and their dependents need to consider whether it makes sense to still claim the dependent child. Parents may phase out of education tax credits, the child may have graduated during the tax year but still eligible to be claimed, or perhaps 529 plan money was used to pay college expenses. In those cases it may be better for the child to claim themselves to take advantage of the education credits and quali

Posted By Lineweaver Financial Group
February 18, 2021 Category: General

  Let’s talk about blockchain, which is the concept behind popular Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Cardano, and Litecoin. Blockchain seems complicated, but its core concept is really pretty simple – it’s a type of database. To be able to understand blockchain, it helps to first understand what a database actually is.   A database is a collection of information that is stored electronically on a computer system. Information or data in databases is typically structured in table format to allow for easier searching and filtering for specific information. A simple example for most people to visualize is a spreadsheet, like what you’d use in Excel. The main difference is that spreadsheets are designed for one or a few people to store and access small amounts of information. By contrast, a database is designed to house huge amounts of information that can be accessed, filtered, and manipulated quickly and easily by any number of users at once. In either case, data is traditionally housed/stored in a centralized location.   This helps us imagine a starting point, but how is blockchain different from a database? After all, a database isn’t a new concept, and blockchain is a new technology. One key difference is the way the data is structured. A blockchain collects information together in groups, also known as blocks, that hold sets of information. Blocks have certain storage capacities and, when filled, are chained onto t

Posted By Lineweaver Financial Group
October 01, 2020 Category: Medicare, Medicare Supplements, Retirement, General

Open enrollment for Medicare and Medicare Supplements is right around the corner. Medicare programs are notoriously challenging to navigate, but it’s a crucial decision that most of us will have to make at some point in our lives. The question most people start with is one of eligibility. There are two essential parts to Traditional Medicare, Parts A and B. Part A has to do with hospitalization, and you become eligible on the first of the month for your 65th birthday.  If you become eligible for Part A, it’s recommended to enroll immediately because there is no premium.  This remains true even if you are still working and have health insurance through your job. It will get you into the system, and you’ll start receiving “Medicare & You.” On the other hand, part B has to do with doctor visits and bills, including medically necessary services or preventive care. It’s recommended that you enroll with the Social Security office about 2-3 months prior to when you’ll be looking to receive the full Medicare enrollment benefits. When it comes to enrolling for Part B, this can be particularly tricky and could cost you. If you are already retired or will retire right at 65, the answer is simple: sign up for Part B at the same time you enroll in Part A. If you are still working, it’s something that you must figure out when the right time is to enroll. It’s essential to enroll at the right time. If you