Crypto Quarterly is Back!

Keeping up with developments in Bitcoin and the world of cryptocurrency is challenging, but not impossible. Especially with AI assistants (like Grok or Chat GPT) answers can be attained – literally instantly – to basic and complex questions. Having dedicated crypto experts and research teams on hand is helpful as well!* “Keeping up with crypto” is a relative term. Merely dipping a toe into the water to learn more is a form of keeping up with this evolving space, so go for it.

Here is a term that helps define how different the various cryptocurrencies are from one another: ecosystems. Cryptocurrency is not a single, big chunk of one “thing”. Rather, there are multiple ecosystems and thousands of interconnected cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin is the best-known cryptocurrency, most dominant and most widely accepted for making purchases at this time. Ethereum is another well-known cryptocurrency. Solana is another. Each operates in its own ecosystem and has extremely different qualities.

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Father’s Day & World News

Recent LA and world events – and staying glued to TV & social media news broadcasts – could potentially add a downbeat mood to what is otherwise one of the best-meaning holidays and weekends of the year. Even if Father’s Day does not bring personal good vibes, this mid-June time of the year can be awesome. Consider:

  • It is almost the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere! Sunrise to sunset, lots of daylight. First day of summer and longest day is coming up on June 20th.
  • The men’s US Open golf championship will be decided this Sunday, Father’s Day! The top 5 players so far do not include the usual famous names…so it could be an exciting finish with a lesser-known golfer making US history!
  • The stock markets, despite volatility, are hanging in there with modest gains year-to-date – and more so if a portfolio was thoughtful enough to have a healthy allocation to non-US equities. Do they report that on the news? Considering previous world events that rocked markets in 2020, 2022 and earlier in 2025, US and global markets recognize the immense advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and the chips and technology that are driving this unstoppable force.
  • What is your favorite food? Might it be peaches? Tomatoes? Blueberries? Watermelon? These items are in season! Even if chocolate or cake is your favorite food, try adding peaches or blueberries. Even the price of eggs is down massively. The news does not report these positive data points in the headlines.

Enjoy the almost start to summer, try to unplug and enjoy the weekend and Father’s Day. Happy Father’s Day to all the great Dads and father figures!

This material has been prepared for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, tax, legal or accounting advice

Tariffs, Car Payments & Cell Phones

Tariffs. Car payments. Cell phones. What do these three things have in common? All three are currently on most people’s minds, and two are expensive considerations for every person’s or family’s financial plan.

As for tariffs, the uncertainty around where tariffs, and now also tax legislation, will settle in is on most people’s minds. Tariff “policy” is still in the throes of global negotiation and lack of clarity. Will the US consumer benefit in any way? Will tariffs lead to continued painful inflation in the US? What about future economic relationships between the US and the rest of the world? Much is up in the air. Certain companies and business owners are in flux regarding future investment and decision-making. Meanwhile, overall, employers and consumers seem to be plodding along in a net-net positive direction.

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Mid-Year Tax Tips

The calendar is about to turn to June – and that means nearing the halfway point of 2025. For those contributing to 401k, 403b and TSP accounts, adjustments or tweaks at this time can make a real difference overall for the current tax year and future savings overall.

The most basic considerations are in the dollar amount and tax classification of how 401k/403b/TSP contributions are made.

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Checking in on New Year’s Resolutions

It may be a key time – before mid-year – to check in on goals made back in January. These goals could have focused on saving more or differently, spending reduction or realignment and areas of investment focus and diversification.

How is your progress on certain goals? Can tweaks be made? Can specific ones be scrapped and new goals or ideas formed?

One particular goal from January was something I nicknamed FSP:

“Focus on Saving in order to maintain Patience” – in the event of the inevitable market decline, or volatility similar to that of 2025.

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Pope Francis on “Old Age”

The words of Pope Francis often had very down-to-earth meaning. Here are excerpts from an encouraging reflection, merely two months ago, on “old age” from the late Pontiff*:

“Yes, we must not be afraid of old age, we must not fear embracing becoming old, because life is life, and sugarcoating reality means betraying the truth of things. …Restoring pride to a term [“old age”] too often considered unhealthy is a gesture for which we should be grateful…

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Recession or Not?

Check out two really good slides.

The first slide outlines the vast difference of when a recession really occurs and markets anticipate the recession and react, versus when the government (the NBER, National Bureau of Economic Research) “declares” a recession.

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This May Take a While

It is time again for “the Greatest Chart Ever”.* And to extend the expression, often “the greatest” takes a while to develop.

The current situation that may take a while is tariff policy by the US with respect to trading partners. Tariffs are in effect for barely one week. Markets in short order have punished stock prices and caused heavy volatility in US Treasuries. Most of the volatility is due to uncertainty on a large scale about how and how much tariffs will affect availability, demand and end prices for consumer and industrial goods globally. That is a massive amount of goods and only time will tell. Stock markets do not like uncertainty – even if the eventual goal is to make a positive difference.

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Refreshing Perspective

Please see the simple graphics and detail above for reasons why a globally diversified portfolio has outperformed despite recent (and in several cases, major) declines in the “Magnificent 7”. The article sites three charts. TGIF 2 Minutes chose two of the three.

In addition to these data points, there are still more reasons to keep faith in a well-laid out long-term strategy that takes into account more than solely the large growth area of the stock market.

This material has been prepared for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, tax, legal or accounting advice.

Serious as a Heart Attack

For those who have experienced a real heart attack or that of a loved one, please forgive the expression. Today’s message is nearly as sobering and meant to encourage action to take even a small amount of time considering the serious matter: for individuals and families, risks of a cyber hack and identity theft are real and present.

Admittedly, almost no one wants to talk about these topics. But even a brief discussion can be eye-opening and attempt to minimize (but not 100% eliminate) risks. The best warnings and presentations – truly the best and most accurate – unfortunately and appropriately leave attendees scared, stunned or both but at least better informed.

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