Personal Finance

Hey everyone, Sarah Miller here! It’s been a wild ride in the markets lately, and if you’ve been keeping an eye on commodities, you might have noticed something pretty special happening with copper. I’m talking about copper being on track for its best year since way back in 2009 – and a big surge in December really sealed the deal! Copper’s Remarkable Year: A Look Beyond the Headlines Seeing that headline about copper’s performance made me smile. As someone who’s spent over a decade immersed in market analysis and helping folks with their financial planning, I’ve learned to pay attention to these big commodity moves. They’re not just abstract numbers; they often reflect deeper currents in the global economy. And copper, well, it’s often called “Dr. Copper” for a reason – it’s got a pretty good track record of predicting economic health. ...

Hey everyone, Sarah Miller here! It’s been a busy few weeks in the markets, and I wanted to share some thoughts on something that’s been on my mind – and apparently, on the minds of some pretty big players in the business world too. When CEOs Get Nervous: AI and Cyberattacks Top the 2026 Risk List I recently came across an article from Tim Martin that really struck a chord. It highlighted that Vodafone’s CEO, along with other UK business leaders, are flagging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cyberattacks as the top risks they anticipate by 2026. Now, as a financial analyst who’s been watching this space for over a decade, this isn’t exactly a bolt from the blue. But hearing it straight from the top brass? That’s a pretty significant signal. ...

Hey everyone, Sarah Miller here! It feels like just yesterday I was digging through spreadsheets, trying to make sense of some obscure economic indicator. Now, I’m sitting here, coffee in hand, ready to chat with you all about something that’s been buzzing in the markets lately: the Chinese Yuan. The Yuan’s Tightrope Walk: Why a Break Above 7 Might Be Fleeting Lately, I’ve been watching the Chinese Yuan (CNY) like a hawk. There’s been a lot of chatter about it potentially breaking the key 7 Yuan to the US Dollar level. For those who aren’t deep in the forex weeds, this 7.00 mark is a pretty significant psychological and technical level. A breach often signals a shift in sentiment or underlying economic strength. ...

Alright, let’s talk markets, but not just the usual suspects. Beyond The S&P 500: Why VEU Could Outperform Again In 2026 Hey everyone, Sarah Miller here. It’s been a minute, but I’ve been deep in the trenches of market analysis, as always. You know, with so much focus on the S&P 500 – and don’t get me wrong, it’s a crucial benchmark – I often feel like we’re missing out on some serious potential elsewhere. Today, I want to share some thoughts on an ETF that’s caught my eye, and why I think it – Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF (VEU) – could really shine in 2026. Think of this as a chat over coffee about some investing strategies beyond the familiar. ...

Shifting Gears: Why Equal Weight S&P 500 Futures Are My New Favorite Conversation Starter Hey everyone, Sarah Miller here. It feels like just yesterday I was elbow-deep in spreadsheets, trying to make sense of the latest earnings reports. Over my 10+ years in financial analysis and market research, I’ve seen my fair share of market fads and investment strategies come and go. But lately, there’s a particular trend that’s really caught my eye, and frankly, it’s one I’m starting to recommend more and more to friends and clients alike: managing concentration risk with Equal Weight S&P 500 futures. ...

Hey everyone, Sarah Miller here! It’s been a whirlwind in the financial markets lately, and I wanted to chat with you all about something significant that’s been brewing: Japan’s 10-year yield inching above 2% and what that means for the Yen. As someone who’s spent over a decade digging into market trends and crunching numbers, I’ve learned that these seemingly niche economic moves can ripple through our own personal finance and investment strategies faster than we might think. ...

Alright, let’s talk real money, real investments. As Sarah Miller, with over a decade diving deep into financial analysis and market research, I’ve learned that sometimes, holding onto what you have is just as important as making a new move. Today, I want to walk you through a decision I’ve made in my own portfolio: selling my position in Arbor Realty (ABR) and holding onto Starwood Property (STWD). This isn’t just a gut feeling; it’s a decision backed by a lot of watching, a lot of data, and a bit of personal investment experience. ...

Hey everyone, Sarah Miller here! It’s been a while since I’ve sat down to chat about what’s happening in the markets, but today I wanted to dive into something that’s been on my radar: the Hartford Large Cap Growth ETF, specifically looking at the Q3 2025 commentary. You know, with over a decade spent buried in financial reports and market trends, I’ve learned to appreciate the nuances, and this particular ETF presents some interesting talking points for anyone looking to refine their investment strategies. ...

India’s December Manufacturing Activity Cools: What it Means for Your Investments Hey everyone, Sarah Miller here! It’s been a busy end to the year, and as a financial analyst who’s been sifting through market data for over a decade, I’m always looking at the nuances that can impact our personal finance journeys. Today, I want to chat about something that’s caught my eye: India’s manufacturing sector cooling off in December, especially as those US trade talks seem to be hitting a bit of a standstill. ...

Bracing for the Cold: What the Northeast Energy Emergency Means for Your Wallet Hey everyone, Sarah Miller here. It feels like just yesterday we were talking about summer travel, and now, with winter truly upon us, we’re facing a different kind of chill. That recent news about the US declaring an energy emergency in the Northeast as a major winter storm hits really got my attention. As someone who’s spent over a decade knee-deep in financial analysis and market research, my first thought wasn’t just about bundling up (though that’s crucial!), but about what this means for our personal finance and the broader market. ...