At the beginning of the pandemic, I believed that chaos was good. Since it didn’t matter when I started work (as long as I clocked eight hours), I could start whenever the mood suited me! When I couldn’t sleep, I’d start working at 3 a.m. Other times, when the coffee didn’t start flowing until late
I recently traveled to speak at a conference. It was the first business-travel I’ve done since the pandemic, and I was excited to connect with three-dimensional people. I joined a keynote and listened as two titans of industry discussed the merits and defects of remote work. One stated that with the pandemic all but over,
To help achieve your financial goals, you may need to invest in the financial markets throughout your life. However, at times your investment expectations may differ from actual returns, triggering a variety of emotions. So, what are reasonable expectations to have about your investments? Ideally, you hope that your investment portfolio will eventually help you
Hello Jeffco. The Neighborhood Gazette has requested an update on the business climate in Jefferson County (Jeffco). While the Jeffco business climate is a long and continuing discussion, I can update Jeffco on some key points about Jeffco businesses. Property taxes can help make, or break, a small business that owns or rents a building. One indicator
In March, with interest rates bouncing around in the mid-6 percents and an active listing count 105 percent higher than last year, Edgewater, Lakewood and Wheat Ridge experienced an average sales price loss of 11 percent year-over-year. Surprisingly, even with months of inventory skyrocketing by 125 percent over last year, the options are still very
Like everyone, you may have a lot of financial goals. But are they all of equal importance? Probably not. And do they share a similar timeline? Again, it’s unlikely. So, your first step may be to prioritize your goals – and then follow a process that can help you achieve them. This process should include
Every tax year I receive a few calls from taxpayers asking the County Treasurer to lower or waive their property taxes for various reasons. County treasurers does not have the legal authority to lower property taxes or waive property taxes per state law. The Treasurer’s Office and the state of Colorado do have programs available
In March 2020, the Federal Reserve Bank eliminated the requirement for banks to keep reserves. This was one of many economic stimulus measures, most of them temporary. Yet, last year the Fed clarified this was a permanent change. When talking about bank reserves, it’s important to ask why they’re required. Banks having no money on
I am a coffee snob. It started a few years ago at Starbucks. I watched as the barista pressed a few buttons on a machine, and the machine poured my caffeine juice into a white paper cup. But at a local artisanal coffee house down the road, masters of their craft had a different approach
Now that we’ve put winter behind us – at least on the calendar – it’s time for us to think about sprucing up our homes, inside and out. But it also may be time to do some financial spring cleaning. Some of the same ideas involved in tidying up your home can also be used
Hello JeffCo, happy New Year! The Neighborhood Gazette has requested an update on the finances of Jefferson County Government (JeffCo). While JeffCo finance is a long and continuing discussion, I can update JeffCo taxpayers and residents on some key points about JeffCo. The Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, or TABOR, is an amendment to the Colorado
If you’re going to enjoy a comfortable retirement, you should know, among other things, how much money you’ll need. And you may have a much better chance of knowing this if you get some professional help. Consider these findings from a 2021 study by Dalbar, a financial services market research firm: • Investors who worked
If you’re getting closer to retirement, you might be thinking more about Social Security. Specifically, can you count on it to contribute part of the income you’ll need as a retiree? There’s been an increase in alarming language surrounding the solvency of Social Security, but in reality, its prospects are not nearly as gloomy as
On March 15, 2020, I was a 36-year-old technology professional who worked for the State of Colorado. I was also a husband to my wife, Shanna; a father to our 4-month-old son, Jack; a parent to our two cats, Gidget and Herbie; and struggled with office life. I’m not a morning person, so I usually
In the past year, we’ve seen some big swings in the financial markets. This volatility may make you feel as if you have little control over your investment success. But the truth is, you do have more control than you might think — as long as you don’t let fear guide your decisions. Investment-related fear
The marijuana industry in Colorado isn’t what it was a decade ago. The days of soaring sales and dispensaries opening every week after legalization took effect have ended. Instead, fears of business closures, mass layoffs and declining tax revenue are the norm. Various factors have been cited, led by an oversupply of products and a
This content was provided by Edward Jones for use by Hunter Owen, your Edward Jones financial advisor at 720-769-7500. Edward Jones, Member SIPC. It’s that time of year when many of us promise ourselves we’ll go to the gym more, or learn a new language, or take up a musical instrument, or any number of
Starting in the new year the Wheat Ridge Chamber of Commerce and the Neighborhood Gazette will be hosting Monday mornings (9 a.m.) for solo business owners and remote workers who want to meet for coffee at the Chamber’s office, 7230 W. 38th Ave., in Wheat Ridge. We will be sharing best practices, common challenges and
Provided by Edward Jones. Now that it’s the holiday season, gifts are probably on your mind – and you might intend for some of those gifts to go to charities. Although your intentions are good, you could be shortchanging both your recipients and yourself with your method of giving. But with some guidance, you can
Provided By Edward Jones It’s unfortunate, but recessions are part of the economic landscape. So, it’s handy to have a recession survival checklist: First, assess your income stability. If you think your income could be threatened or disrupted, you might want to consider adding some freelance or part-time work. Next, review your spending. Look for
Generally speaking, investing is a long-term process. You invest in your IRA and 401(k) to reach a long-term goal – retirement. You may invest in a 529 education savings plan for many years to reach another long-term goal – college for your children. But is there also a place in your portfolio for shorter-term investments?
In July, despite interest rates in the mid-5 percents and an active listing count over 72 percent higher than last year, Edgewater, Lakewood and Wheat Ridge experienced an average sales price gain of nearly 9 percent year-over-year. The pace of the market has certainly slowed since last year, but homes are still selling very quickly
On the site where Clancy’s pub stood for years and adjacent to Sprouts Market, you will find Morning Star Assisted Living & Memory Care. It opened about five years ago and, according to Executive Director Chad McGlothlin, it has become a “community within a community” Chad came onboard two years ago, the week before the
In March 2020, the Federal Reserve Bank eliminated the requirement for banks to keep reserves. This was one of many economic stimulus measures, most of them temporary. Yet, last year the Fed clarified this was a permanent change. When talking about bank reserves, it’s important to ask why they’re required. Banks having no money on
