Paragon Perspectives: The Long Watch

Lori CarrollBlog

All Hands on Deck: Broadening Market Participation The stock market continues to remind us that patience is often rewarded—though, let’s be honest, sometimes it feels more like waiting for your luggage at the airport. Since its 2022 lows, the S&P 500 has surged an impressive 70%, recently hitting a record high of 6118.71 on January 23rd. But as we move …

Paragon Perspectives: Life and Disability Insurance Basics

Lori CarrollBlog

Paragon Perspectives: Life and Disability Insurance: All the Basics you need to Know Let’s be real: thinking about life and disability insurance isn’t exactly what we’d call a “party starter.” It’s not like you’re hanging out with friends, and someone yells, “Hey! Let’s talk about life insurance!” (Unless you’ve got some seriously interesting friends, in which case, please send me …

Paragon Perspectives: Financial Smarts for Kids and Young Adults

Lori CarrollBlog

Let’s be honest: when most of us were kids, “money management” meant deciding whether to spend our allowance on candy or save it for something big—like more candy. But here’s the thing: teaching kids and young adults about money early on is like giving them a superpower. And not the kind where they can fly or become invisible (although that’d …

Paragon Perspectives: Starting The Year With An Organized Budget

Lori CarrollBlog

It’s a brand-new year, and for many of us, that means fresh starts and new goals. Whether you’re dreaming of taking a big trip, tackling debt, or simply feeling more in control of your finances, there’s one powerful tool that can help you get there: a budget. Before you start worrying about giving up your morning coffee or canceling Netflix, …

Paragon Perspectives: 2025 Market Outlook

Lori CarrollBlog

Introduction: The Calm After the Storm? As we look ahead to 2025, the market environment appears to be catching its breath. Inflation is cooling, and the Fed has already cut rates by 100 basis points in 2024—a move akin to finally getting dessert after a painfully long dinner party. The economy has shown surprising resilience. But let’s not pop the …

Paragon Perspectives: Reviewing Your Investment Portfolio

Lori CarrollBlog

Paragon Perspectives: Reviewing Your Investment Portfolio Your investment portfolio is like a financial garden—it needs regular weeding, watering, and the occasional pep talk to bloom. As we dive into 2025, it’s the perfect time to give your investments a once-over, make sure they’re aligned with your goals, and pluck out anything that’s not pulling its weight. Whether you’re a newbie …

Paragon Perspectives: Reflecting on Financial Goals For The Year

Lori CarrollBlog

Paragon Perspectives: Reflecting on Your Financial Goals for the Year: 3 Essential Questions to Ask Yourself As the year winds down, it’s a natural time for reflection. We’re all taking stock of what we’ve accomplished, where we’ve fallen short, and how we can do better in the new year. Your financial goals are no different. Whether you’re planning for retirement, …

Paragon Perspectives: FSA/HSA Usage

Lori CarrollBlog

Paragon Perspectives:  Don’t Let Your Hard-Earned FSA and HSA Dollars Go to Waste: Smart Moves Before Year-End The end of the year is creeping up, and while you’re busy thinking about holiday shopping, family dinners, and your New Year’s resolutions, there’s one more thing that deserves your attention—your FSA and HSA funds. If you’re not careful, you could be leaving …

Paragon Perspectives: December Insights 2024

Lori CarrollBlog

Paragon Perspectives: December Insights Executive Summary As we close out the year, it’s a good time to reflect on the economic and market trends shaping the current landscape and what might be on the horizon. Think of it as the financial version of flipping through your favorite year-end magazine with less celebrity gossip and more GDP numbers. In this week’s …