In short…probably not.

According to a study by Northwestern Mutual, 21% of Americans have zero retirement savings and 33% have less than $5,000 saved for retirement. Also, 33% of Baby Boomers have less than $25,000 saved for retirement. According to the same study, the average amount Americans have saved is $84,821 and only 25% have more than $200,000 saved for retirement. What’s more crazy is almost 75% of Americans believe Social Security will “not at all likely” or “somewhat likely” be available when they retire. A study by Provision Living states Millennials would like to have $687,000 saved for retirement, but will likely only have $357,000. At least Millennials have time to change investing contributions. Baby Boomers are right at the doorstep of retirement and are in bigger trouble as their ideal retirement would have $574,000 savings but realistically will have $228,000. The dichotomy between fantasy and reality is great for all generations. We know there is a problem but are not taking the necessary precautions to deal with that problem.

It isn’t even 2020 yet, and it seems like we are already in full swing for election season. On both sides of the aisle, there are doom and gloom proclamations if the other party wins the Presidential election. Republicans say the stock market will go into a downward spiral if someone like Elizabeth Warren or Bernie Sanders were to win the election. Democrats say the stock market is already on the brink and will tank if Donald Trump is re-elected. And the media, especially the financial media, LOVES this. The financial media plays into these fears because they know investor uncertainty drives people to view their programs – which only act as fuel for the fire and are far from being a calming source. But as disruptive as elections seem to be, do they have an impact on the stock market?

The F.I.R.E. movement has become the latest trend in personal finance. So, what exactly is F.I.R.E.? Should you join it? Will it work? Those are just a few questions people have wondering and I’m here to answer them.

Major League Soccer is the fastest growing professional sports league in the United States. After a decade of struggling and the league on life support, the league has rebounded and is expanding teams at an incredible pace.  In fact, my city of Nashville is getting a team in 2020.  I was curious one Saturday night about where MLS stands with team revenue, player compensation, etc. when compared to other leagues.  It turns out, the MLS Players Association publishes player compensation on their website dating back to the 2013 season.  So, I did what I do when I discover information like this – create a database and see what I can find with statistical analysis.  This may sound like the worst Saturday night in existence; but for me, it’s like Christmas morning.