Question3: I am interesting in starting a new business in Auburn, or I am thinking about re-locating my business to Auburn. Check for restrictions on placing orders during news or economic events; for many traders, this is a key time to trade. If you expect to be in a higher tax bracket when you retire than you are today, a Roth account is "the best planning strategy we have," says Renfro. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't ask questions and possibly adjust your strategy based on the current conditions. The best advice right now on what to do … This run smashed the previous record for economic growth that occurred between 1991 and 2001. What clients are asking: How do I start making a financial plan? 21 Questions to ask when moderating your next panel discussion. That, in turn, could lead to changes in interest rates, which may impact your investments. What clients are asking: What do I do to pay off credit card debt and student loans at the same time? Can We Explain the Equity Premium Puzzle? Economist Interview Questions: 1. Let's conquer your financial goals together...faster. Question2: What is a Foreign Trade Zone, and what does this mean for Auburn? This means that, ready or not, lots of people may get asked by their employer to retire early. ... I’m invested in the stock market, but I don’t presume to have the expertise to know which stocks are ‘hot’ right now. If you have money left over, you have some choices about what to do with it. says Alicia R. Hudnett Reiss of The Business of Your Life. History offers not a single instance of a firm, unprotected by government-erected entry barriers, that … But for now, I am letting the … This puzzle refers to the … What is your current asset allocation? Provide details and share research with your question. A higher degree of risk tolerance means you are willing to withstand big market swings to capture the long-term returns that growth investments provide. I am going to ask those questions. The best bet is to talk to your financial advisor and be sure to ask them three key questions during that discussion. The best financial plans result from knowing yourself well, so spend a little bit of time learning about yourself and your spending habits through your cash flow analysis. However, unlike President Trump, Biden and Harris have thus far declined to take questions from the media in an open joint press conference where no questions or topics are off-limits. Just as markets change, so does your risk tolerance, or the variance in returns that you are willing to tolerate. This run smashed the previous record for economic growth that occurred between 1991 and 2001. During this time frame, the S&P 500 has grown about 13.5% per year, which is higher than long-term averages. Â. "I think that's a valid concern," Renfro says. The answers to these questions handle the matters of how to deal with scarcity and how to efficiently allocate resources. Economists also see a recession as more likely this year, raising the chances for one from 23% last month to 30% in March, according to a Reuters poll. With a Roth account, you invest your money after you pay income taxes on it. Learn more: How much cash should you keep in your savings and checking account? Then, subtract your expenses from your income. Tags help the right people find and answer your question. Answering these four questions is essential for an economy to function properly. If you're concerned about job security, "really crunch the numbers," advises Shelly-Ann Eweka, director of central advice at TIAA. What's left is your starting point. "I answer that by starting with their specific financial goals and objectives.". The Investing Questions People Ask the Most Financial experts show you how to handle your investments. Because we're in recession, it's a good time to save any extra cash for an emergency fund. "That needs to be answered first, period," says Eweka.Â. "As much as those are getting hit right now, these are the companies that allow people to work from home," he adds. Cumulative Growth of a $10,000 Investment in Stock Advisor, 3 Questions Investors Should Ask Their Financial Advisor Now @themotleyfool #stocks $AAPL $MSFT. Rather than talk about a book or some topic, the official theme is: questions you would love to ask an economist but you were afraid to ask. In times of great uncertainty, financial planners can help you stay focused on goals, recommending as-needed adjustments along the way. The lower your debt-to-income ratio, says Reyes, the healthier your financial situation will be. In these times, it all starts with asking the right questions. The first step to making a financial plan is something called a cash-flow analysis. But no matter what, the answer is often the same: "Most of the time, our answer is to stick with the plan," says Anora Gaudiano, a senior advisor associate at Wealthspire.Â, Before you sell all of your shares and pull your assets out of the market, simply take this opportunity to do a gut check and see if your past decisions still make sense. Keep in mind you won't have to pay direct taxes on the stimulus check, but government spending does come from taxes. (Learn more about investing for short- and long-term goals here. However, with Americans' revolving debt balance at around $996 billion, it's not necessarily unusual. It's all very concerning, but it's important to remember that time is on your side. "Anything above 30% is kind of alarming," he tells CNBC Select.Â. Like the prime rate, interest rates and APY, taxes go up and down depending on economic and political conditions. Dave mainly covers financial stocks, primarily banks and asset managers, and investment planning. Gaudiano's advice: Stick with your plan (or tweak it slightly). Then write down all of your expenses. 5 Questions You Need to Ask Yourself Right Now Federal employees need to be financially ready in case they’re affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Here are some questions that will help get you started. Based on what their experts say, do they expect a bear market or a recession on the horizon? "While it doesn't guarantee complete protection from rising tax rates, it's likely the best mitigation tool against those unknown tax changes.". … Make sure the risk tolerance of your accounts matches the timeline for when you plan to use the money. When markets go down, it can be a great opportunity to buy good, long-term stocks at lower prices. With the economy so uncertain, employers are looking for ways to cut costs. A lower degree of risk tolerance means you want steadier returns that don't fluctuate wildly based on market conditions or underlying issues. Tammy Flanagan In a command economy, the matter of what goods to produce is handled by a central economic authority. Here are some ways to ask the wrong questions: Whether you're concerned about your 401(k), IRA or other brokerage accounts, remember that investing is a long-term strategy. We reached out to a handful of certified financial planners (CFPs) to learn what questions and concerns are nagging at their clients during this time. What clients are asking: Will taxes go up because of the stimulus package? 5 Questions Every Business Leader Must Ask in the Face of the Coronavirus Pandemic ... Now I consider myself a fairly calm and rational person and still I felt it. If you have a lower risk tolerance and expect a slow down in equity markets, you may want to increase the percentage of holdings in more stable investments. ... it's likely economic growth will only average 1.6 to 1.8 percent, even in relatively good times. They may fluctuate (up or down) as the Fed rate changes. ... Visit the help center. This includes salary, wages, tips, side hustle money, investment earnings/distributions, and/or government benefits. They should list anything from the fields of politics, energy or technology and demonstrate the causal link between global trends and economic impact. Reyes' advice: Calculate your debt-to-income ratio, then make a payoff plan. Now is the time to start asking questions of leadership. If I have investments, like a 401(k), what should I be doing? So … Ask your advisor about your best options.Â. If you earn $4,000 per month before taxes and the payments on your debt cost $500 per month, then your debt-to-income ratio is $500 / $4,000 x 100 = 12.5%. On a more macro level, consumers are concerned about rising taxes in the future, says Texas-based financial planner Brandon Renfro. February marked the 128th straight month of economic expansion, dating back to June 2009. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card, IdentityForce® UltraSecure+Credit and UltraSecure, revolving debt balance at around $996 billion, How much cash should you keep in your savings and checking account? How much of your portfolio do you have invested in stocks? ... “We do have a strong tailwind right now… The community is here to help you with questions about economics. Ideally, you should have some money left over, but if you're in the red or negative, then your first step is to look for ways to either trim expenses or make more money.Â. In addition to considering your health on a flight, … Economists now expect another rate cut in March, as markets continue to sink lower. ), "Always check out asset allocation to make sure it's appropriate. The next steps after your cash flow analysis is to look at paying off debt, saving for retirement, start investing, learning about tax strategies and finally, estate planning. While there's never any true certainty when it comes to managing money, it does help to have a plan. Patience is important. This questions tests a candidate's critical thinking skills. Meanwhile, millions fear getting laid off without any kind of incentive or support. In the event that such a press availability arises, here are 45 questions the media should ask them. List of economics interview questions What are the correlations among these four asset classes: gold, oil, U.S. 10-year treasuries, and the S&P? What we do know, argues Renfro, is that capital gain tax rates are currently at a historic low. The market tends to be more volatile during periods of high stress and uncertainty, like election years and economic recessions, and less volatile in between. Countries that have yet to urbanize can see a … ... but some now offer Fractional Pip-Pricing. So, here are a few tips regardless of what questions you choose. "When people come to me, the question they are really trying to ask is: 'How do I start making a financial plan?'" That is a full-time job unto itself. The Federal Reserve made an emergency rate cut on March 2 after one significant coronavirus-fueled market sell-off, reducing the rate 50 basis points to 1.25%. Across the country, here are just some of the questions CFPs are hearing right now and, most importantly — their advice. The economy -- which was forecast to slow down in 2020 even before the novel coronavirus pandemic -- could slow even further depending on the impact of COVID-19 response on consumer spending. Economics. Double-check your asset allocation, or how much you own in stocks versus bonds. QUESTIONS FOR JOE BIDEN: 1. Here is some discussion and a few predictions: • Question #1 for 2018: How much will the economy grow in 2018? The wild swings we've seen in the last few weeks have left investors wondering where they should put their money. Is the country urbanized and, if not, is it expected to? Markets are uncertain, so it's never a good idea to try and predict where the market is going. Then stick to it," says Gaudiano. A financial planner weighs in, The best 0% APR credit cards so you can finance your debt or new purchases interest-free, Here are the best 9 credit cards with welcome bonus offers of 100,000 points or more. Access answers to thousands of economics questions explained in a way that's very easy for you to understand. 7 Questions and Answers About the Economy. Avoid impulse decisions. Finding the right questions to ask an economics class may seem difficult because of how broad economics is. Questions to Ask in an Interview – for the Interviewee (That’s You!) Even if your job is currently in good standing, look into what you would need if you were to retire right now. Could the 50/30/20 Rule Be the Trick You Need for Retirement Savings? As 2019 draws to an end, it leaves us with far more questions than answers. The first step is to see just how much room your debt takes up in your budget. • Question #2 for 2018: Will job creation slow further in 2018? (Shoot, sometimes we don't even listen to the answers--we're too busy presuming we're right.) These are volatile times for the markets. I'll write on each of these questions over the next couple of weeks. If you're juggling a few different kinds of debt — from high-interest credit card debt to student loans, not to mention a mortgage or car loan — it's tough to know where to begin. First, “The manager would like to know when downturns—and upturns—in sales are coming.”. This gives you the benefit of tax-free withdrawals in the future. Which global trends will shape the world economy in the next ten years? Over the long-term -- through the 2001 dot-com bubble, the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the housing crisis, and the Great Recession -- the S&P 500 has a compound annual return of 10% over the last 30 years, 6% over the last 20 years, and 13.5% over the last 10 years ended Dec. 31, 2019. No right or wrong answers here, but certainly an opportunity to demonstrate some foresight. This may be good for those selling assets in their investment portfolios right now. Most financial advisors have access to projections from their company's chief economists and portfolio managers who live and breathe the markets every day and watch where they are going. Yet, as consumers across America grow more anxious due to the recession and ongoing coronavirus pandemic, keeping steady is arguably more important now than it was just nine months ago. 2. February marked the 128th straight month of economic expansion, dating back to June 2009. Ask questions about the site on meta. CNBC Select reached out to financial planners to learn what questions their clients are asking right now, between a pandemic, an election and the possibility of a second stimulus check. What clients are asking: By choice or not, can I afford to retire early? In short, no we have not yet. "A huge discussion point is health care, Eweka explains. After adding these costs into your calculation, you may be surprised to see how much of your income can easily be eaten up every month. Hudnett Reiss' advice: Start with the basics. Once your toxic debt is under control, prioritize your expenses according to the popular 50/30/20 rule, advises Reyes. Start by making a list of all of your income every month. Most analysts are expecting growth to … The Ascent is The Motley Fool's new personal finance brand devoted to helping you live a richer life. '", A provision called COBRA allows the employee to stay basically on the coverage they had with their employer, but the employee often has to pay the full premium, says Eweka. CNBC Select may receive an affiliate commission when you click on the links for products from our partners. Dave has been a Fool since 2014. Spend 50% on your needs (housing, food, utilities), 30% on your wants (travel, entertainment and fun), and put 20% toward saving and/or chipping way at debt. No matter what you answer here, do some research ahead of time and be sure you can back up your answer. What clients are asking: What should I do if the market goes down because of the election? Economic growth: Economic growth was around 3% in 2018. In a larger portfolio, like a mutual fund or ETF, it may be a good time to allocate some assets to funds that capture these undervalued stocks with solid fundamentals. Editor's Note: APYs listed in this article are up-to-date as of the time of publication. That means debt with high interest rates. Get help with your economics homework! Michigan Economic Development Corporation BrandVoice ... 5 Questions You Should Ask Now As You Prepare Your Post-Crisis Marketing Plan. CNBC will update as changes are made public. The highest debt-to-income ratio you can have and still qualify for a mortgage is 43%, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Don't try to tackle it all at once. Eweka's advice: Crunch the numbers, and don't forget about health care. "We can't always predict when it will happen, which is why we make portfolios that withstand it.". Stock Advisor launched in February of 2002. While it has a technical-sounding name, it's simply a way to look at how much you make versus how much you spend. The four basic economic questions are: what goods to produce, how to use resources in the production process, who receives the finished goods and when to produce the goods. A higher degree of risk tolerance means you are willing to withstand big market swings to capture the lo… Your risk tolerance should be based on a number of factors your advisor can explore with you, but if you are closer to retirement, or need money for major expenses, like college, you may want a more conservative risk tolerance than perhaps younger investors might. What is the airline's cancellation and refund policy? But, the advice is so general that the questions are often not applicable to entry level college positions. 10 Personal Finance Questions You Should Ask Yourself Trent Hamm – Founder of The Simple Dollar Last Updated: April 9, 2020 My experience with money – going from mountains of debt to debt freedom – over the last decade has taught me one sure financial principle that simply repeats itself over and over in my life. But a good long-term investment strategy should be informed by many factors, and the more you know, the better positioned you will be to meet your goals. In fact, many financial planners advise including a line item for savings in your expenses list from the start so it's always built in to your budget. Renfro's advice: Taxes fluctuate over time, but you can prepare now if you're worried. See you at the top! There are other important questions, but these are the ones I'm focused on right now. Information about Synchrony Bank High Yield Savings has been collected independently by CNBC and has not been reviewed or provided by the bank prior to publication. During this time frame, the S&P 500 has grown about 13.5% per year, which is higher than long-term averages. 3 Reasons to Invest in ETFs, and 1 Reason Not To, Copyright, Trademark and Patent Information. I've given this question a lot of thought and there are many websites that provide advice. Just as markets change, so does your risk tolerance, or the variance in returns that you are willing to tolerate. But people who have a traditional retirement account (either an IRA or 401(k)), may want to consider spreading out their retirement funds to prepare for the possibility of higher taxes in the future. 10 Questions to Ask Financial Advisors View All 12 Slides A financial planner weighs in. Renfro recommends opening a Roth IRA or Roth 401(k) in addition to a traditional retirement fund. Yet, if you can bring it down, you'll have more resources to allocate toward paying off loans and credit cards, plus have fun. You want to get rid of what Reyes calls "toxic debt" first. Then there's the health-care marketplace in your state: "Staying in the marketplace can be more affordable, but it depends on your income level and the state where you live. ", It may be overwhelming, but it's worth doing the research to know all of your options for health insurance. And when things are good, financial planners help you make sure you're taking full advantage of soaring markets, ample job opportunities and (hopefully) growing savings. Michigan Economic Development Corporation with Forbes Insights ... 3 Questions To Ask Your Financial Advisor Right Now. ET editors have picked the 20 most vital questions — from economy and business to politics, technology and global affairs — and explored how the answers may play out over 2020. He's covered mutual funds and institutional investments for Pensions & Investments, personal finance for S&P, and money markets and bonds for Crane Data. 250+ Economic Development Interview Questions and Answers, Question1: Does the city have any property for sale (including tax-acquired property)? This isn’t just about keeping business travelers safe or deciding whether to attend an international business conference or convention. With toxic debt, you wind up paying lots of money just to stay in debt, and it can be hard to find an end in sight. Second, “Managers would also like to know when their costs are going to rise or fall.”. And answers to some of those questions may become clearer in 2020, a year that’s likely to determine India’s near-term future. Finding the right answers to your money questions, plus resources to help you weather the unknown, is sometimes just as important as making goals for the future. While creating questions specifically for your panel is the very best way to make your discussion unique and engaging, sometimes it can be … While there are an unlimited number of economics questions you could be asked, these questions will give you a sense of the types of questions you could get. Step 2: Review your question To start saving, look for an account that charges no monthly fees and has no minimum balance requirements. Synchrony Bank High Yield Savings account fits this description and helps you earn more interest with a fairly strong 0.65% APY. We ask questions that assume a certain answer. Founded in 1993 by brothers Tom and David Gardner, The Motley Fool helps millions of people attain financial freedom through our website, podcasts, books, newspaper column, radio show, and premium investing services. Similar to a cash flow analysis, Albert CFP Mark Reyes encourages the app's users to calculate their debt-to-income ratio. That's why working with a financial planner is a smart move, even for those just starting out. This list is by no means exhaustive. The request may come with a severance package or other incentives like covering a portion of your health insurance costs. It's pretty simple: Look at how much your debt costs you every month compared to your income. Market data powered by FactSet and Web Financial Group. But of course, there's also your housing and utility payments to consider, which lenders often include in your debt-to-income calculation. For example, in an economic downturn, sales may drop and potentially hurt company profits. AI, automation, and inexpensive labor are all interesting items to bring up. Returns as of 12/10/2020. You pay neither income tax nor capital gains taxes when you tap into your Roth accounts one day. Over time, these periods of volatility are balanced out by periods of more stable, consistent growth.Â, "We always assume the market will go down, whether it's during an election or a pandemic," Gaudiano says. Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), for example, has dropped about 9% in the last five days, but remains a great company and a good buy. Likewise with Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), which has fallen about 8% in the past five days but has great long-term potential. "If you're below age 65 (the age you can start Medicare), ask yourself 'What options do I have? These discussions, along with an assessment of your risk tolerance, will help inform your asset allocation decisions. '' he tells CNBC Select. neither income tax nor capital gains taxes when you tap into your Roth accounts day... Creation slow further in 2018 are going to rise or fall. ” encourages app... K ) in addition to a cash flow analysis, Albert CFP Mark Reyes encourages the app 's users Calculate... To retire early about keeping business travelers safe or deciding whether to attend an international business conference or convention asking! Of these questions over the next ten years availability arises, here are just some of business... Some questions that will help inform your asset allocation decisions be a great opportunity to demonstrate some foresight can a!, taxes go up and down depending on economic and political conditions to making a financial plan is called! 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