Hobbs Group Advisors Blog

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Investing with the markets at all-time highs: Mike Switzer & Garet

When the stock market is making all-time highs, the question on many investors’ minds is “Is now a good time to buy stocks?” Our next guest says that that is actually not the right question to ask. Mike Switzer interviews Garet Strange, a certified financial planner with Hobbs Group Advisors in Columbia, SC.

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Saturday, December 31, 2022

Managing Money as a Couple

When you marry or simply share a household with someone, your life changes—and your approach to managing your money may change as well. The good news is it’s usually not so difficult. At some point, you will have to ask yourselves some money questions—questions that pertain not only to your shared finances but also to […]

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Wednesday, December 28, 2022

Mortgages in Retirement

Anyone who has gone through the process of mapping out their retirement knows there can be a lot to keep in mind. Saving, investing, anticipating medical costs, and making sure you have enough tucked away for years to come is just the start. One question many people overlook is: “Should I pay off my mortgage […]

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Tuesday, December 27, 2022

Year-End Charitable Gifting and You

Are you making charitable donations at year’s end? If so, you should know about some of the financial “fine print” involved, as the right moves could potentially bring more of a benefit to both you and your chosen charity. Keep in mind, this article is for informational purposes only and is not a replacement for […]

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Monday, December 26, 2022

Strategies for Managing Student Loan Debt

If college were a party, then student loans are the hangover. Unfortunately, the “hair of the dog” won’t cure this headache, but here are some ideas for managing your student loan debt. The programs listed are not intended as tax or legal advice. They may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal […]

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Saturday, December 24, 2022

The Lowdown on Those Free Credit Scores

The Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act of 2003 provided individuals with valuable rights to the credit information companies keep on them, but did you know that the credit score provided to you may be different than the one provided to lenders? The first thing you should know is that you have a right to […]

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Wednesday, December 21, 2022

Countering Counterfeit Currency

Believe it or not, the agency responsible for protecting U.S. currency is the United States Secret Service. The agency was founded on July 5, 1865, as part of the Department of the Treasury to combat the widespread counterfeiting of currency happening at the end of the Civil War.1 Combating counterfeiting remains core to preserving the […]

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Tuesday, December 20, 2022

The Economic Journey of Your Morning Coffee

If you’re like 49% of Americans, you drink coffee every day. Few, if any, take a moment during their morning coffee ritual to contemplate or marvel at the complex journey that brought their coffee from farm to their kitchen table.1 Coffee is one of the U.S.’s largest food imports. It wields an economic impact that […]

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Monday, December 19, 2022

A Penny Saved is Two Pennies Earned

The famous saying from Poor Richard’s Almanack is frequently misquoted. It was published by founder Benjamin Franklin in 1737: “A penny saved is two pence clear.” Finding ways to manage expenses is one of the cornerstones of a sound financial strategy. Here are some simple and inexpensive energy-saving tips that may help you save money. Audit First.. […]

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Saturday, December 17, 2022

What to Look for in Personal Finance Apps

Mobile applications have become ubiquitous. While many of these apps are games and social media platforms, an increasing number have been developed to help individuals with their personal finances. Which leads to an interesting question: what should you look for in a personal finance app? Category One of the first things to consider is what […]

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Friday, December 16, 2022

What to Look for in Personal Finance Apps

Mobile applications have become ubiquitous. While many of these apps are games and social media platforms, an increasing number have been developed to help individuals with their personal finances. Which leads to an interesting question: what should you look for in a personal finance app? Category One of the first things to consider is what […]

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Thursday, December 15, 2022

Budget Check Up: Tax Time Is the Right Time

Every year, about 140 million households file their federal tax returns. For many, the process involves digging through shoe boxes or manila folders full of receipts; gathering mortgage, retirement, and investment account statements; and relying on computer software to take advantage of every tax break the code permits.1 It seems a shame not to make the […]

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Tuesday, December 13, 2022

Your Emergency Fund: How Much Is Enough?

Have you ever had one of those months? The water heater stops heating, the dishwasher stops washing, and your family ends up on a first-name basis with the nurse at urgent care. Then, as you’re driving to work, you see smoke coming from under your hood. Bad things happen to the best of us, and […]

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Sunday, December 11, 2022

Buying vs. Leasing a Car

Some people approach buying a car like they approach marriage, “’til death do us part.” Others prefer to keep their options open, trading in every few years for the latest make and model, the most cutting-edge technology, or the highest horsepower. Whichever describes you best, we all face a similar decision when it comes to […]

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Saturday, December 10, 2022

Pay Yourself First

Each month, you settle down to pay bills. You pay your mortgage lender. You pay the electric company. You pay the trash collector. But do you pay yourself? One of the most basic tenets of sound investing involves the simple habit of “paying yourself first” – in other words, making your first payment of each […]

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Thursday, December 8, 2022

Life and Death of a Twenty Dollar Bill

The government prints millions of notes a day. Here’s a quick look at what goes into creating a $20 bill and what determines when a bill’s lifespan ends.1 Paper A $20 bill starts out life as part of a large sheet of paper. While most paper is made primarily from wood pulp, the paper used […]

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Tuesday, December 6, 2022

U.S. Personal Savings Rate

The U.S. personal saving rate stood at 3.4 percent at the end of 2022, down from the 7.5 rate at the end of 2021.The personal saving rate is the federal government’s estimate of what percent of their incomes U.S. households are saving. But market watchers and economists are mixed on what can be learned from […]

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Monday, December 5, 2022

Spotting Credit Trouble

American households carry an average revolving credit card balance of $7,876 from month to month.1 The wise use of credit is a critical skill in today’s world. Used unwisely, credit can rapidly turn from a useful tool to a crippling burden. There are a number of warning signs that you may be approaching credit problems: […]

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Monday, August 22, 2022

Retirement Traps to Avoid

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Wednesday, March 23, 2022

What If Your Kids Decide Against College?

As a parent or grandparent, you may have diligently saved money in a 529 account to help fund your child’s or grandchild’s college education. But what happens if they decide college isn’t the right path for them? It’s a valid question that many families are facing as more and more people choose alternatives to traditional […]

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Monday, March 21, 2022

Making a Charitable Gift

Key Takeaways Why sell shares when you can gift them? If you have appreciated stocks in your portfolio, you might want to consider donating those shares to charity rather than selling them. Donating appreciated securities to a tax-qualified charity may allow you to manage your taxes and benefit the charity. If you have held the […]

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Wednesday, March 9, 2022

Financially Savvy at Six Figures

Reaching six figures is no easy feat. If you’re one of the hard-working few who have made it to this milestone, give yourself a pat on the back and celebrate. It can be tempting to feel like now that you’ve made it to the top of this mountain your financial worries are over. But before […]

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Saturday, March 5, 2022

Should I Accept a Free Credit Lock?

In today’s increasingly connected world, protecting your information is arguably more important than ever. Your credit report consists of a slew of personal details, such as your financial activity, credit accounts, loans, and payment history. Because of the importance of your credit report, credit bureaus such as Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion offer credit locks to […]

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Wednesday, February 23, 2022

Understanding FDIC Insurance

It’s natural to wonder exactly how a bank safeguards your money. Fortunately, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insurance exists for this very reason: to help protect your funds once deposited. Read on to explore the purpose of FDIC insurance, how it works, and what it covers. What Is FDIC Insurance? The FDIC is an […]

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Friday, February 18, 2022

What To Do When Your Income Reaches 7 Figures

Did you recently add a second comma to your bank balance? Has a recent financial event raised your net worth to the next level? It’s an exciting time, whether it’s the result of your long-term goals (e.g., from the sale of a business), a windfall transfer of wealth, or a key promotion. You’re probably already […]

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Tuesday, February 15, 2022

What Can You Buy With 529 Distributions?

Some of the biggest challenges many face when it comes to education are financial. Luckily, a 529 college saving plan can help. And they’re not just for college anymore – added to the tuition eligibility are K-12, private and religious schools. These funds can also be used for four and two-year colleges, trade schools, graduate […]

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Friday, January 14, 2022

Making a Charitable Contribution

Why sell shares when you can gift them? If you have appreciated stocks in your portfolio, you might want to consider donating those shares to charity rather than selling them. Donating appreciated securities to a tax-qualified charity may allow you to manage your taxes and benefit the charity. If you have held the stock for […]

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Friday, January 7, 2022

Exploring the Federal Student Grant Program

You may have heard of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, if you or someone you know has plans to attend a college, career school, or university. Last year, over 50% of high school seniors submitted a FAFSA to the Department of Education to secure financial assistance. But what many prospective and […]

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Thursday, December 30, 0202

Building a Solid Financial Foundation

When you read about money matters, you may see the phrase, “getting your financial house in order.” What exactly does that mean? To some, when your financial “house is in order,” it means it is built on a solid foundation. It means that you have the “pillars” in place that are designed to support your long-term […]

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Thursday, December 23, 0202

Weighing the Benefits of Prepaid Debit Cards

Many Americans use some sort of prepaid debit card, for a wide variety of reasons. Some prefer them for their versatility and the ability to use them for everything from paying bills to spending money at retailers. They are also popular among the 5.9 million American households that, for whatever reason, do not hold a […]

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