by Matt Bell | Oct 21, 2025 | Investing |
Even during normal times, the stock market is unpredictable. But when the world goes crazy, the market sometimes goes crazy, too. Just look at the first quarter of 2020, the early days of the global COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. market fell 34% in just three weeks....
by Matt Bell | Oct 14, 2025 | Investing |
Since the S&P 500 hit a low of 4,983 on April 8th of this year, the stock market has come back strong. Despite a tariff-fueled shaky first quarter of the year, 2025 is shaping up to be a good year for investors. However, just as surely as nighttime follows...
by Matt Bell | Sep 23, 2025 | Budgeting/Planning, Credit/Debt, Investing, Saving |
Waiting can be tough. We seem to be hardwired to resist it. And our culture does us no favors here. Whatever we’re interested in buying, there are ways — and we’re strongly encouraged — to have it now. Paying for it? That can wait until later. But there are great...
by Matt Bell | May 27, 2025 | Faith & Finances, Investing |
We’re all drawn to stories of people who achieve “overnight success.” They make for great headlines and sell a lot of magazines and books. Problem is, they’re a myth. In the business classic, “Good to Great,” author Jim Collins explored the reasons why some companies...
by Matt Bell | May 13, 2025 | Investing |
Investing is arguably the most complicated and intimidating part of money management. And years like this one don’t make it seem any easier! To invest successfully, it’s important to control what you can and let go of the rest. Consider your answers to the...
by Matt Bell | Feb 11, 2025 | Investing, Saving |
In one of my favorite movies, The Shawshank Redemption, prisoner Andy Dufresne vividly demonstrates the power of hope. Wrongly convicted for the murder of his wife, his hope that the truth would one day come out sustains him through the daily horrors of prison life....
Great to hear from you, Wayne! I know a lot of people don't like the idea of using a budget…
Thanks for the encouraging words, Leo. Good to have some kindred spirits along for the ride!
Hi Matt, it’s your friend Wayne out here in Barrington. I laughed at your comments regarding the “woke” – like…
Hey Matt! You're not the only voice crying in the wilderness. I'm right there with you. A budget, discipline, and…
That's a good point, Al. How much to give in retirement when you're drawing from an investment portfolio is an…