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Every teenager's journey into the world of employment is a significant milestone. Not only does it teach them the value of hard work, but it also provides them with a sense of independence.

Clorox Company, the global manufacturer of consumer and household cleaning products, said a cyberattack that was disclosed last month is disrupting operations and hurting the availability of the bleach and cleaning-wipe maker’s products.

Will You Lose Money This Week? See Now What Can Change. This was a week marked by many oscillations both in the national and international markets. Companies rose and lost market value, Apple shares plunged more than $200 billion in two days, the S&P500 index fell 0.7% this week, and many other things happened out there.

"What's up with gas prices?" My 16-year-old son, who pays for his own gas, ran up the stairs very frustrated. He'd just spent $85 to fill his truck when he used to pay $65. Most Americans are feeling the same way as my son, that gas prices are too high.

"Will you set the table?" When my wife says this, I know I'm about to do a little work, but soon it will be time to eat. The market blues of August and September hopefully set the table for good times ahead. Stocks snapped a five-month winning streak in August after the S&P 500 ended negative 1.8%. And while the monthly stock winning streak is over, upside momentum may continue. Although stocks went negative, they did so in an orderly fashion, which is a good sign of healthiness for the market. The market's overall trading volume was low, telling me investors were not panic selling. While the stock's monthly winning streak has ended, there might still be some solid months ahead. Historically, after the end of a five-month positive streak, the market has gone up an average of just over 7% over the next six months. Interestingly, this same scenario has happened six times since 1950, and all but one were positive over the next six months, according to LPL. Don't get overly worried about September because it is generally a dud. September is historically the worst month of the year for stocks since 1950. Stocks have averaged a negative half percent and have finished negatively more times than not. The good news is that historically, stocks have rebounded from a weak September with a pretty strong October. The October-November-December period is the strongest part of the year for the market. This and the fact that the market usually does well just leading up to the US presidential election gives me optimism. While the next few week's outlook is mixed, I am encouraged by the historical market trends around the presidential election cycle and the frequent strong returns of the year's final quarter. With this short-term outlook, I'm maintaining a slight overweight to fixed income (bonds) over stocks in the accounts I manage. I'm not negative or bearish towards stocks but more neutral to them with an expectation of upcoming buying opportunities. I had a table-setting misstep while doing a college internship in England. I was trying to be helpful and set the table but was quickly corrected on how the "British do it." In my mind, I was thinking, "This from a country that doesn't even know which side of the road to drive." I didn't say it because I still wanted to eat. Let's hope the market isn't as picky about the table setting and serves up something great for the year's end. Have a blessed week!

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To make Wealthtender free for readers, we earn money from advertisers, including financial professionals and firms that pay to be featured. This creates a conflict of interest when we favor their promotion over others.Learn more. Wealthtender is not a client of these financial services providers.

“That squirrel had a death wish.” The squirrel was trying to cross the road but was indecisive and started darting back and forth until finally going back to the side he had just come from, barely missing my truck tire. Many investors are like that squirrel, darting back and forth about whether to stay in cash or reinvest in their portfolios. Parking too much of your portfolio in cash might seem like a good plan in today’s investing environment, but it has its risks too. Peter Lynch was correct when he said, “Far more money has been lost by investors in preparing for corrections or anticipating corrections than has been lost in the corrections themselves.” Higher rates this year have led many investors to leave cash out of the market and on the sidelines. As of the end of August, Americans have $5.6 trillion in money market funds, which is a record high and nearly 20% more since the beginning of the year. Here are three reasons why having too much of your investments in cash can be a risky game. First, the opportunity cost is high. You’re missing out on daily market growth and income while waiting for the perfect time to reenter the market. Fear can lead investors to sit in cash as stocks march higher. Second, you won’t keep up with inflation. Even though CDs, Money Markets, and Treasuries are paying more than they have in a while, they will never outpace inflation. Third, you can’t time the market. It is impossible to perfectly time reentry in the market, even for professional investors. Reluctant investors rarely get the timing right. The main thing is to stay consistent with your investment plan. The odds of long-term investors reaching their goals aren’t good when they aren’t fully invested. Since it’s impossible to time the market, don’t stress about finding the perfect time to reinvest. Don’t be the squirrel. Have an investment plan and stick to it. I’m not saying to put your investments on cruise control because I am a huge proponent of active management. But understand there is danger in starting and stopping because sometimes it leaves you lying on the road with tire tracks across your face. Have a blessed week!

To make Wealthtender free for readers, we earn money from advertisers, including financial professionals and firms that pay to be featured. This creates a conflict of interest when we favor their promotion over others.Learn more. Wealthtender is not a client of these financial services providers.

Alright, folks, buckle up because we're diving into the thrilling world of investing! Picture this: you, sipping your favorite brew, casually checking your portfolio and watching your money grow.

This article may contain AI-assisted content. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has passed amendments tightening exemptions to Section 15(b)(8) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. This specific section mandates that any broker or dealer registered with the SEC must join the National Securities Association unless they deal in securities exclusively on an exchange where they are a member. Currently, the sole registered National Securities Association is the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc. (FINRA).

To make Wealthtender free for readers, we earn money from advertisers, including financial professionals and firms that pay to be featured. This creates a conflict of interest when we favor their promotion over others.Learn more. Wealthtender is not a client of these financial services providers.

To make Wealthtender free for readers, we earn money from advertisers, including financial professionals and firms that pay to be featured. This creates a conflict of interest when we favor their promotion over others.Learn more. Wealthtender is not a client of these financial services providers.

To make Wealthtender free for readers, we earn money from advertisers, including financial professionals and firms that pay to be featured. This creates a conflict of interest when we favor their promotion over others.Learn more. Wealthtender is not a client of these financial services providers.

To make Wealthtender free for readers, we earn money from advertisers, including financial professionals and firms that pay to be featured. This creates a conflict of interest when we favor their promotion over others.Learn more. Wealthtender is not a client of these financial services providers.

To make Wealthtender free for readers, we earn money from advertisers, including financial professionals and firms that pay to be featured. This creates a conflict of interest when we favor their promotion over others.Learn more. Wealthtender is not a client of these financial services providers.