Monthly Newsletter
June 2023
More good than bad news as May
kicks off the quieter summer season.
The debt ceiling fears have been put aside, which is a good thing. There is cautious optimism heading into the summer, a time when the markets are a little quieter. Inflation is still too high, but the trend downward is clear. Interest rates and the Fed approach will still weigh on the outlook. We will stay in contact with you all. Enjoy the Summer and we will talk soon. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
Peace,
Will
Insights from Brad McMillan, CIO of Commonwealth
Market Thoughts June 2023
Brad McMillan, CFA, CAIA, MAI, Managing Principal, Cheif Executive Investment Officer shares his thoughts on what's going on with the financial status of our markets and economy as we head into summer.
Team Notes
Will's Top Ten - A look back at Ranch Life and the NBA Finals

This time of year reminds me of two formative parts of my childhood: basketball and ranching. The NBA finals remind me of how excited I was to watch them as a boy - the NBA of that day was arguably the golden age of professional basketball. There was a great rivalry between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers - such ferocious play. The Houston Rockets and the Philadelphia 76ers had championship runs and the Milwaukee Bucks and the Portland Trail Blazers were fun to watch. Basketball was in the fabric of my young life, woven in with my other significant influence - working on a ranch.

The finals always happened during a very busy time on our family-owned ranch. The Mitchell Place, we called it, was very remote (truly the middle of nowhere), and TV reception was spotty at best. One year my mom had a TV antenna installed on the roof of the bunkhouse so we could watch the playoffs. It was better than no TV but definitely not a high-quality way to watch a fast-moving sport.

While this isn’t exactly a highlight of working on "the Ranch", there were some cool things about growing up in a family ranch setting. Here are some of my favorites:

  1. We were able to ride horses all the time. I wasn’t as good a rider as most in my family, but those animals could really run and sitting on top of one while that was happening was pretty cool.
  2. The beauty of a prairie. It is most fully appreciated when you grow up in a prairie setting and if you did, you’ll know well what I mean.
  3. Every person you saw waved and smiled at you and most of the time would stop and say “hi”
  4. The magic of a great pop tune that landed on the AM radio surprisingly between Ag reports was a relief from heaven that made you feel like a normal kid. (iTunes would have changed everything. I might still be there if there was more music.)
  5. An unlimited drink of cold water from a windmill on a really hot day.
  6. A day off when it rained.
  7. Driving in the open fields as an 8-year-old.
  8. Driving to pick up a load of fresh feed for the dairy cattle. Easy job and it smelled good.
  9. Having a huge, hot, home-cooked meal two times a day!
  10. Your coworkers were the people you loved more than anyone else in the world.
Baseball season comes right on time for Kurt and Tammy.

May brought our thirst for some outdoor baseball, so Tammy and I went to the Twins game on Saturday, May 13th. Tammy was rooting for her Cubbies, but as you can see from the graphic, the Twins took care of business and sent the Cub fans going home disappointed.
I was surprised by the number of Cub fans at the ballpark, and hearing them chant, “Let’s Go Cubbies”. I guess the Chicago fans travel well for their sports teams!
Heidi's empty nest and furry friends
In 2018 my husband and I were empty nesters. Our son moved out to attend college but we still had two dogs, Moss and Annie, to keep the house busy and dirty!
In April of 2022, we lost Moss our 14-year-old Weimaraner to old age and hip issues. Months went by and we lost our 14-year-old Cairn Terrier Annie in February of 2023. After losing the two dogs, we were truly empty nesters and during that time decided we would wait a year to adjust to this newfound freedom. Our house was extremely quiet and exceptionally clean!
Well, our one year turned into two months as we were missing a furry friend and the joy, love, and companionship they bring. Our house is no longer quiet (still clean!) as we have a new addition to our family. Hazel is a nine-month-old Mini Schnauzer. In the few weeks since we brought her home, she has given us so much happiness. We are grateful we did not wait a year!
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Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network®, Member FINRA/SIPC,
a Registered Investment Adviser. Fixed insurance products and services offered by Shamrock Wealth Management
or CES Insurance Agency.
Will Berigan CFP Wealth Advisor Shamrock Wealth Management | shamrockwm.com