Three Big Finance Headlines for 2023

While 2022 may go down as one of the toughest market years we have worked through in recent memory, 2023 gave investors some notable news to chew on.   In a year that’s seen its fair share of financial gyrations and geopolitical headlines, I’ve narrowed down to three areas some themes that certainly grabbed attention in […]

If the economy is so great, why is everyone so glum?

Last Friday’s jobs report brought more positive economic news in a year when the economy has arguably performed consistently better than many (including myself) would have expected.  199,000 new jobs were created (some of which can be attributed to striking auto workers returning to the workforce). Labor force participation increased, meaning there are fewer people […]

Is it Better to Rent or Buy your House?

The American dream involves, among other things, the opportunity of owning your own home.  Indeed, the family house is, on average, the largest asset for the typical American family.  So much wealth accumulation comes from homeownership, it is often taken as orthodoxy that we should never consider renting… Purchase the house and become an adult! […]

Simplifying Estate Planning Through Transfer-On-Death Deeds: YOUR HOUSE

Most folks believe estate planning to be one of the more complicated areas in their financial planning.  The truth is, however, while some have more complex estate planning needs, for many, there are easy ways of ensuring that assets pass along to heirs in a way that’s not complicated at all!  “Wicked Simple” estate planning […]

2023 Year-End & 2024 New Year Reminders

Watch or read below for important end-of-year and new year tips in this edition of PFA Advisor Huddle. We covered a range of topics — from pointers on employee benefits and portfolios, to tax-saving opportunities and retirement savings suggestions. Each advisor also previewed their favorite holiday recipe featured on our blog here. Enjoy! Flexible Spending […]

Market Commentary | Q2 2023 Halftime Report

Transcription Sam Chaplin: Hi everybody. Thanks for joining us. Welcome to the Q4 Halftime Report. Today is November 14th. My name is Sam Chaplin, Portfolio Manager at Penobscot Financial Advisors, joined by our fearless leader and CIO Jim Bradley. Afternoon, Jim. Jim Bradley: Afternoon, Sam. How are you doing way over there? Two offices down […]

Social Security Mulligans: Can you get a ‘Do-Over’?

Social Security Mulligans:  Can you get a ‘Do-Over’? The U.S. Social Security system provides for a huge amount of flexibility in how and when workers and their dependents access benefits.  For example, even though your ‘Full Retirement Age (FRA)’ under Social Security might be age 67 (that’s the FRA for people born in 1960 and […]