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MARKET COMMENTARY
Read monthly updates on economic events and market trends
Ryan Redfern
Chartered Market Technician® (CMT®)
Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®)
PERSONAL FINANCE
Take the fear out of finance by understanding how personal decisions affect long-term goals
Laura Redfern
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) Professional
Certified Financial Transitionist®
INVESTMENT RESEARCH
Learn more about active management from the author of “Why Bad Things Happen to Good investments”
Will Hepburn
Vice President of Investment Research
BEHAVIORAL FINANCE
Discover how your values influence your financial behavior
Phil Lebkuecher
Behavioral Financial Advisor (BFA)
FAMILY FINANCE
Practical insights to help families build, protect, and grow lifelong financial resilience
Heather D. Johnson
Investment Advisor Representative
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Blog
October 2026 Market Commentary
October brought relatively quiet market activity despite some volatility beneath the surface. RR examines stock market trends, Federal Reserve interest rates, bond sector performance, and the indicators Shadowridge is watching as we head into November.
The Skeletons in Your Financial Closet: 4 Things You Might Be Avoiding
What’s hiding in your financial closet? From forgotten retirement accounts to outdated beneficiaries, Laura Redfern highlights four financial planning details worth revisiting and why they deserve a closer look.
No Tricks, Just Treats: Scary Good Savings for Your Kids
Looking for ways to save for your children’s future? Heather Johnson explores six savings strategies, from high-yield savings accounts and 529 plans to Roth IRAs and newer options, to help families understand what’s available.
September 2026 Market Commentary
The month of September has been surprisingly quiet and relatively flat. That’s a relief given this month’s history of ugly selloffs. There appear to be early signs that Growth is starting to outperform Value, a ratio we watch closely for market context. It isn’t...
The Medicare Checkup: Questions, Pitfalls, and Tips for Retirees
Medicare can feel complicated when you first enroll. But even after you’ve been on Medicare for several years, there can still be questions. For example: Do the choices you made when you first enrolled still fit your life today? Some people think that Medicare is a...
Retirement for Early Career Starters
When you’re early in your career, retirement can feel like something that belongs much further down the road. There are plenty of financial priorities competing for your attention right now. You may be paying student loans, covering everyday expenses, saving for a...
August 2026 Market Commentary
As we had noted last month, August had the chance to improve on a weak July, and month-to-date that’s what we’ve seen. Several major US markets did peak around August 13th and have drifted lower since. If that drift lower can stay somewhat restrained, then we believe...
What Are You Planting for Retirement?
If someone asked you today what your monthly income will look like once you retire, would you know the answer? Many people have a general idea of what they have saved or what benefits they may receive, but they have not yet looked at how those different sources work...
The Back-to-School Expenses Nobody Puts on the List
Back-to-school shopping has a way of making us feel like once we’ve bought the backpacks, shoes, notebooks and supplies, we can finally check that expense off the list. But if you have kids, you already know that’s usually not how it works. The first day of school...
July 2026 Market Commentary
Even though historically July tends to be a good month for the stock market, this year it has been underwhelming. With the major indexes in the red as we head towards the end of the month, there is still time they could turn positive for the S&P 500 and Russell...
Thinking About Your Home as Part of Your Retirement Plan
Many retirees I speak with feel a real sense of comfort knowing that they own their home or have built up substantial equity over the years. There’s something incredibly freeing about owning a home, both emotionally and financially. Some retirees even call their home...
The Family Conversations Worth Having Before They Become Necessary
When was the last time your family had an honest conversation about money, finances and the future before there was an urgent reason to do so? Summer often creates natural opportunities for families to reconnect. Schedules may slow down, the days are longer and people...
