Whew! What a year it's been, and the wildness isn't ceasing just yet with the results of the election still up in the air at this point. We know that everyone is a bit antsy to find out the final counts and be able to figure out what's next. We don't want to overwhelm you with information or add more to your mental plate, so we'll keep this month's message simple - now is a good time to review your retirement plan and be sure you're in a good position for the future (no matter what that future looks like). If you've got concerns about your financial plans, then we're here to help you get a handle on things.

For this month's The Wealth Report we're simply going to include a repeat of last month's topic - The Problem with Partisanship. At this point, it looks like we're going to end up with a situation that will lead to a favorable environment for markets based on the notion that Congress not shifting will lead to the inability to affect sweeping changes in the coming Presidential term. Markets historically don't like big changes, so gridlock in Washington provides a bit of stability - whether we, as citizens, like it or not. There is a lot of uncertainty floating around in people's minds right now, so it's important to be sure you've got a well-rounded financial plan that will help you to reach your goals despite the happenings in Washington.

As we approach the upcoming presidential election, voters may wish to examine the compatibility of their political beliefs with their personal financial goals. Since 2018, when the Democrats regained control of the House of Representatives and Republicans kept their majority in the Senate, very little meaningful legislation has been passed. Therefore, it is worth considering how a divided government impacts out lives.

From an investment perspective, there are advantages. After all, the markets do not like uncertainty. Where there is legislative stagnancy, the stock market appears to benefit from the knowledge that no big changes are on the horizon.