Week of 4/22/2021

Continuing with April’s Financial Literacy theme, we wanted to share this interview with Commonwealth’s Becca Hajjar. She shares her own experience learning about financial topics and some basic tips on helping kids become more literate. When we started looking for a new brokerage relationship in 2006, Becca was our first contact with Commonwealth. We continue to appreciate the support that they provide and great people like Becca are an important part of that. Please remember to earmark May 11th for our special guest webinar with Commonwealth’s Brad McMillan. That will take place that day at 4pm. Please send along any questions you have for Brad

We often talk about cyber security and will continue doing so. In a new wrinkle, a casino database of high-rollers was stolen when hackers accessed the network through a fish tank thermometer. The database was pulled through the thermometer and uploaded to the cloud! We like Star Wars, but this purchase seems a little extreme. Many of you may have already seen the news about the discovery of Luxor, an ancient Egyptian city that provides a tremendous opportunity for modern archaeologists. This is just an abstract (we didn’t read the whole article), but still thought it worth sharing. Most online product reviews are positive, and therefore not very helpful. But you CAN learn something from the emotional intensity of those reviews, which is measurable using computational linguistics. They say crime doesn’t pay (we wouldn’t know) and this article is proof of that. An L.A. County sheriff’s deputy staged a fake drug raid to steal drugs and money and is heading to prison for his misdeeds.

Q: Is the economic recovery for real? A: Definitely. There is strong data showing growth in everything from retail sales to industrial production. Stimulus funds are playing a role in some of these areas, as is the continued improvement in many sectors from the lows of the pandemic. Housing continues to be very strong, with low housing inventory in many parts of the country.

‌ ‌ ‌ Advisory Services offered through Lowry Financial Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Adviser. Securities and additional advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network®, Member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser. Advisory services offered through Lowry Financial Advisors, Inc, are separate and unrelated to Commonwealth. Lowry Financial Advisors, Inc. is located at 12921 SW 1st Rd, Suite 215, Tioga, FL 32669. 352-333-7990 Lowry Financial Advisors is the only advisory firm that helps its clients reach their goals through The Achieving Simplicity® Experience™, providing clarity and confidence in their personal and financial lives.