People started exchanging cards and handwritten letters during the 17th century, but it was in the 1840s that the first Valentine's Day cards were mass-produced in the U.S., sold by Esther A. Howland. Known as the "Mother of the American Valentine," Howland is credited with commercializing Valentine's Day cards in America.
According to Hallmark, a whopping 145 million Valentine's Day cards are exchanged every February 14th!
On this Valentine’s Day we want to let you how much you are appreciated!
Thank you for your business!
UNDERSTANDING THE DEBT CEILING
Congress had free reign over the country's finances before the debt ceiling was created. In 1917, the debt ceiling was created during World War I to make the federal government fiscally responsible. Over time, the debt ceiling has been raised whenever the United States has approached the limit. By hitting the limit and failing to pay interest payments to bondholders, the United States would be in default, lowering its credit rating and increasing the cost of its debt.
2023: TECH LAYOFFS
As Big Tech continues to reel from its massively difficult 2022, some of the sector's biggest names are beginning 2023 by laying off employees by the thousands.
In 2022, companies like Meta, Amazon, and Intel announced major job cuts following years of expansion. There's hope that Big Tech is set up for a better year in 2023, but high-interest rates, inflation, a hawkish Fed, and spending slowdowns among both advertisers and consumers have created a storm that's not passing just yet.
SHOULD I INVEST?
If you have some savings to invest, feel ready to buy in, and don't need the money for at least five years, then yes, consider it. Some investors are once again understandably wary. Record-high inflation and back-to back interest rate increases all caused volatility in the past year. It’s a loaded question, and it depends more on your investing goals and time horizon.
Call us today to discuss your personal situation and what options we might be able to offer.
KEY FINANCIAL DATA FOR 2023
Now you can have at your fingertips access to the tax brackets, thresholds, limitations, and exemptions for 2023!
Click here for a copy of our Key Financial Data 2023.