Will Low Inflation Continue?
Since the mid-1980s, inflation has been
much lower and more stable than it was in the past. The high inflation
rates of the 1970s detracted from the country's standard of living,
hindered capital formation and economic growth, and took the country
many years to overcome the adverse effects. It is now generally
believed that maintaining a low and stable inflation rate provides
lasting benefits to the economy, which is why it is one of the
Federal Reserve's primary monetary policy goals
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What Is Happening to Long-Term Interest Rates?
Typically, when the Federal Open Market
Committee (FOMC) raises the federal funds rate, long-term interest
rates react by increasing also. However, between June 2004 and
July 2006, the FOMC raised rates 17 times in .25 percent increments,
from 1% to 5.25%, and long-term rates barely moved.
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Working toward Your Financial Goals
To help pursue your financial goals, you
need a plan to help you get there. These five basic tips can help...
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Your Retirement Planning Assumptions
To enjoy your retirement without financial
worries, make sure you have enough money saved when you retire.
However, that calculation can be a daunting task, since a variety
of factors affect your answer and inaccurate estimates for any
factor can leave you with way too little in savings. Some of the
more significant factors include...
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Retaining Financial Information
Feel like you're buried under an avalanche
of paper? The steady accumulation of paper over the years can
make even the most organized system seem uncontrollable. Some
general guidelines on which papers to retain and which to toss
include...
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