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Insights from Griffin Black

Market wisdom and financial perspective for those who seek clarity. Read our latest analysis on wealth building, investment strategy, and planning for what matters most.
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  • Current & Economic Events, Investing
4 min read

What Valuations Are Signaling to Long-Term Investors

As the economy shifts from recovery to expansion, one challenge for investors continues to be the high level of valuations. In the long run, valuations are investors' best North Star since they don't just tell us how much something costs, but also what we get for our money.
Silhouette of a person standing and peering over the edge of a steep cliff.
  • Current & Economic Events, Investing
4 min read

Why Investors Need Perspective When Markets Decline

As it often does, the stock market has hit a rough patch due to concerns around the delta variant, economic growth, interest rates and more. Although no two market pullbacks are exactly alike, there have already been several periods of short-term volatility this year in response to similar headlines. For long-term investors, it's important to remember that these setbacks are a natural, expected, and manageable part of investing.
A small model house with a gray roof and red accents sits on a wooden surface next to a keychain with two keys.
  • Current & Economic Events, My Money & Me
3 min read

Why the Housing Market Is at All-Time Highs

The housing market continues to heat up alongside the post-pandemic boom. The limited supply of homes, historically low interest rates, rising financial asset prices and other factors have created a sense of urgency among many to buy new homes and list their existing ones.
Close-up of a United States Treasury check for $1,400 labeled "American Rescue Plan 2021" against a background of U.S. currency.
  • Current & Economic Events, Taxes
4 min read

Tax Planning with the American Rescue Plan

The American Rescue Plan was signed into law on March 11 and there are several provisions that create tax planning opportunities. Here is a review of the most significant provisions for individuals.
A globe with green land, forests, and water features solar panels and wind turbines, surrounded by clouds and a blue sky background.
  • Investing
5 min read

What Is “Sustainable Investing” and Is It Right for You?

Over the past several years, the idea of an investment strategy designed to promote a healthy planet and population has moved from being a niche project into the investing mainstream. You can invest in funds that align with a variety of environmental and social goals: companies with female CEOs, companies that promote anti-racism, carbon-neutral companies – there are endless possibilities. So what exactly does “sustainable investing” mean? And how should we define success when the goal is more than simply building wealth? Can we meet environmental or social goals without compromising the fundamentals of prudent – and successful – investment practices? Today, I want to look at one definition of a “sustainable” investment strategy. Understanding what it is (or can be) is important if you want to consider incorporating such a strategy into your own investment program.
A young woman in graduation attire stands smiling between two adults, likely her parents, at an indoor event.
  • College Planning
8 min read

Five Ways To Make College More Affordable

It’s that time of year—the potential of receiving a college acceptance letter makes checking the mail a little more exciting than usual. The cost of college has jumped four times as fast as the rate of inflation over the last ten years. The numbers facing students (and their parents) are staggering. College is expensive and can leave graduates suffering under a huge financial burden well into their professional lives. It’s bad enough that the cost of higher education creates such a burden for students, but families can also suffer. Parents who foot the bill for their children’s education can find themselves unwittingly making tradeoffs with severe consequences for their own retirement. So how can you help your child get through college without sacrificing your retirement?
A hand is cutting a piece of paper using scissors. The paper initially says "I can't do it" but the person is cutting off the "t," changing the message to "I can do it.
  • Financial Planning, My Money & Me
14 min read

Will You Finally Begin to Make Progress Toward Your Financial Goals in 2021?

According to the fitness app Strava, every year starts with a rush of new users tracking their runs. Then, not quite two weeks later, tracking usage drops off precipitously. As a result, Strava has declared January 12 to be the most popular day to give up on New Year’s resolutions.
A red Swiss Army knife with multiple tools extended, including blades, scissors, and a small screwdriver.
  • Current & Economic Events, Financial Planning
9 min read

Our Big 2020 Election Takeaway? Stay Flexible

Which word best describes the current state of the country to you: divided or balanced? Your answer likely depends on several factors, ranging from politics to life experiences to your penchant for optimism. Regardless, it looks like we’re on course to have a Democratic president and a split Congress.
Photo by James Pond on Unsplash
  • Financial Planning
3 min read

Revisiting Employer Benefit Open Enrollment
A hand drops a coin into a jar labeled "Retirement" filled with coins. An old-fashioned alarm clock and stacks of coins sit next to the jar on a table, with a blurred green background.
  • Financial Planning, Retirement Planning, Saving & Budgeting
7 min read

Four Keys To Retirement Security

"They went to work every day and built a life for themselves, put money away in a savings plan and paid their taxes. And then they got divorced or hurt on the job or sick or widowed or just plain unlucky — and found themselves in the same boat as millions of Americans who are now approaching retirement with most of the financial props knocked out from under them."
A stock market graph with green and red lines showing upward and downward trends respectively, overlaid with various numbers indicating index values.
  • Investing
5 min read

The Market Seems Too High. Should I Sell Now?
A gold bar labeled "Fine Gold 999.9 Net WT 1000g" rests on top of several U.S. one hundred dollar bills.
  • Current & Economic Events
5 min read

The Long and The Short of It

Griffin Black, LLC is an SEC registered investment adviser; registration does not imply skill or training. Content is for informational purposes only and is not investment, legal, tax, or accounting advice. No client relationship is created by viewing this site. Information is believed reliable but not guaranteed. Investing involves risk, including loss of principal; past performance does not guarantee future results. Any testimonials or ratings may not reflect all experiences and are not indicative of future outcomes. Additional information, including fees and services, is available in our Form ADV Part 2A.

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