The year 2022 was challenging with the U.S. stock market posting a -19% return and the U.S. bond market not far behind at -13%. However, enough time has passed to where it is beneficial to conduct an after-action review. This isn’t an examination of what the ideal investment...

Inflation is cooling but gas prices are spiking. Mortgage rates rose above 7% in August for the first time in 22 years, and they might not be done going up. Fears of an imminent recession have diminished, but not disappeared. The labor market remains tight. And for certain...

With students returning to college campuses, it is time to consider other ways for them to pay for tuition, books and living expenses. Too often, they resort to borrowing.

Student loan forgiveness today is highlighted as the solution when it is only part of the answer. There are other...

The Covid-19 pandemic ushered in a skepticism of medicine and science among certain segments of society. It appears that it also has introduced a wariness of the value of post-secondary education.

A reluctance to pursue post-secondary education is more pronounced in the greater Tri-Cities than throughout the state.

Benton-Franklin Trends...

I think we can all agree that the experiences we had growing up built us into the adults we became. To ensure a positive future for our community, we need to provide young people with positive experiences that encourage, empower and equip them to dream and grow to...

Did you know a vast majority of people list fear of public speaking as their No. 1 phobia? In fact, some people fear it more than death. How about you? What is your least favorite part about speaking in front of a crowd?

This is a vital skill to...

Commonly called “probate,” the laws that dictate the handling of a person’s assets after their death usually depend on which state they live in.

However, when it comes to real property, the laws regarding its administration are determined by the state in which the property is located.

This distinction can...

Going into 2023, many people felt a U.S. recession and market decline was inevitable. However, despite interest rate increases, a flash in the pan regional banking crisis and debt ceiling standoff, the inevitable market decline has failed to materialize.

What gives? Well, to understand the market in 2023 you need to...

When I heard this story, I knew it provided a perfect example of a big personality taking over a situation. 

A colleague of mine participated in a teambuilding exercise.

It was a virtual reality escape room which took place in the middle ages and offered three challenges: escape your cage,...

When setting up a business, conventional wisdom dictates that the business be set up in a legal entity providing limited liability protection, like a limited liability company (LLC).

This is true too when a business wants additional capital by allowing investors to participate as equity owners in exchange for...