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๐ Check out our YouTube Channel for helpful insights and tips! ๐บโจ
๐ Market-Moving News
๐ Check This Out!
๐ JPMorgan's weekly update๐โจ highlighting last week's market moves!
๐ Labor Market Insights:
- The 2Q Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) ๐ shows a growing gap between job creation figures from administrative records and Current Employment Survey (CES) data, with a shortfall of 1.25M jobs for the year ending June 2024.
- โ ๏ธ Employment growth in Q2 may have been overstated, signaling potential downward revisions in 2024.
- ๐ Positive Note: Despite labor market challenges, the U.S. economy boasts strong GDP growth ๐ช, fueled by productivity gains projected at 2.5%—the highest in over 20 years.
๐
The Week Ahead: December 2-6
Get ready for key reports and updates this week! ๐๏ธ
- ๐๏ธ Construction Spending
- ๐ S&P Final U.S. Manufacturing & Services PMI
- ๐ Auto Sales
- ๐ ๏ธ ISM Manufacturing & Services Reports
- ๐ผ Job Openings & ADP Employment
- ๐ฆ Factory Orders
- ๐ Trade Deficit
- ๐งพ Unemployment Rate & Hourly Wages Data
- ๐ณ Consumer Credit & Sentiment
๐ญ Philosophy Quote of the Week
โจ "Let each thing you would do, say, or intend be like that of a dying person." — Marcus Aurelius
๐
A gentle reminder: life is finite, and every second counts. Make your actions meaningful today. ๐
๐ธ Tax Tips: Year-End Savings & Deductions
๐ฏ Maximize Your Tax Savings Before 2024!
- ๐ฅ HSA Contributions: Save on taxes with up to $8,300 annually (+$1,000 if 55+).
- ๐ฐ IRA Accounts: Contribute $7,000/year if under 50 or $8,000/year if 50+. Roth IRAs = tax-free future savings!
- ๐ข Self-Employed Plans: Explore Keogh Plans, 401(k)s, or SEP IRAs for big savings.
- ๐ฑ Energy-Saving Home Improvements: Get tax credits for solar panels, windows, and efficient appliances.
- โค๏ธ Charitable Contributions via IRAs: Donate up to $105K tax-free.
โ Retirement & Tax Checklist
๐ก "Tax Torpedo" & Social Security
- ๐จ The Tax Torpedo can trigger steep tax increases when Social Security benefits become taxable.
- ๐ ๏ธ Strategies to Mitigate:
- ๐ Roth Conversions: Shift traditional IRA/401(k) funds to Roth IRA to reduce taxable income.
- ๐ณ Withdrawals from Tax-Deferred Accounts: Make strategic withdrawals early in retirement to minimize later RMDs.
- ๐ Delay Social Security: While benefits increase, assess the tax trade-offs carefully.
๐ฆ Example: Retiree Joan delays Social Security, uses Roth strategies, and avoids higher taxes.
๐ฌ Always consult your tax professional for personalized advice! ๐ง๐ผ
๐ References
๐ Need deeper insights or fact-checking? Here are some resources:
๐ Articles, ๐ Reports, and ๐ Websites!
https://am.jpmorgan.com/content/dam/jpm-am-aem/americas/us/en/insights/market-insights/wmr/weekly_market_recap.pdf. Accessed 12.02.2024. See page 2 for important disclosures.
https://www.marketwatch.com/economy-politics/calendar. Accessed 12.02.2024.
Holiday, Ryan. The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living. Kindle edition, pages 358. Accessed 12.02.2024.
Hockensmith, Robert F. 52 Ways to Outsmart the IRS, Weekly Tax Tips to Save You Money. Kindle edition, page 208-210, accessed 12.02.2024.
https://retirementresearcher.com/tax-considerations-when-delaying-social-security/, accessed 12.02.2024.