Week of 9/8/2020

After a strong August, September has led with a string of declines led by the tech-heavy Nasdaq.  While declines are never enjoyable, they are a normal aspect of the markets and should be expected after the recent positive movement. You can view our August Monthly Market Recap here and read more about the September volatility in this post.

We appreciate: reminders of the little things that encourage wellness. This list came from our friends at Commonwealth. Breathing exercises: a few minutes of deep breathing each day is a good start. Talk to someone about your emotions and concerns: Most of us need an escape valve. Regular exercise: Start with a 15-20 minute walk to build a good habit. Healthy eating: Try eating one more serving of fruit or vegetables each day. Sleep: Do you know how many hours you sleep each night? Consider setting a minimum goal. Even Small changes can make a big difference! We enjoyed: David Blaine’s latest stunt, where he rose to almost 25,000 feet using only helium balloons. We caught the last 20 minutes on the live YouTube feed and it was exhilarating to see his safe landing. You can watch it here. We read: this analysis of how crowd movement after college football games can pose a risk for disease spread. We enjoyed watching BYU win against Navy on Labor Day, and did not find the lack of a crowd off-putting. If limiting (or eliminating) game-day crowds increases the chance to enjoy live sports, we find it a reasonable tradeoff. We've learned: that a homeowner who refinances a mortgage after 9/01/20 may be subject to a new charge of ½ of 1% on the total loan value. As of 9/01/20, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have added a 0.5% fee to refinanced loans they purchase. Lenders are expected to pass the cost onto consumers (source: Fannie Mae). We recommend: the Made in Gainesville Podcast, by our own Cale Flage. He interviews individuals and business owners with ties to Gainesville. His most recent guest discusses the impact of Covid on his global travel business, among other interesting items.

Q: How has COVID-19 affected financial planning? A: Before addressing what it has changed, we’ll share one item that it has reinforced. The pandemic is an example of the kind of thing that affects the market and the economy every once in a while. Because guessing the onset of these events is so difficult, it reminds us to focus on the things we control- our own personal economy. How much do we save? How much do we spend? What will we wish we had been doing if (blank) happens? There are subtle changes that have come from COVID-19, one relating to disability insurance coverage. Some insurance companies are excluding COVID claims from long-term disability coverage. Although a small thing for most people, this could be critical for healthcare professionals. Those with higher potential for infection will want to know if there are limitations in the event of a prolonged illness. This change impacts new policies issued, not existing ones in-force. A little thing, but often the little things are what get you.

‌ ‌ ‌ 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.