By Michael Cherewka, Esq. Losing a loved one is never easy and navigating the legal and financial responsibilities that follow can feel overwhelming. One area that often causes confusion is Pennsylvania inheritance tax. Understanding the rules can help families avoid unnecessary stress, delays, and costly mistakes during the estate administration process. Waiting Too Long to…
By Gary C. Sanger, Ph.D., CFA Happy 250th Birthday, America! The U.S. and Iran signed a 60-day Memorandum of Understanding in June, creating a temporary pause in hostilities following several months of conflict. That all recently ended as a result of Iran’s continuing attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump has…
By Michael Cherewka, Esq. If you’re married, here’s the uncomfortable truth. There’s a very real chance one of you will need long-term care while the other is still living independently. And when that happens, this isn’t just a healthcare issue, it’s a financial one as well. Most families assume that: “We’ll just use savings;” “Insurance…
By Gary C. Sanger, Ph.D., CFA The lead story here is the US-Israeli attack on Iran. The conflict began February 28, and it continues to date. The Trump administration’s stated goal is to end the war within weeks. So far, despite oil prices rising above $100 per barrel, the global economic effects have been quite…
By Gary C. Sanger, Ph.D., CFA Welcome to 2026! The Federal government shutdown underway at the end of last quarter ended on November 12, lasting a record 43 days. However, funding for most of government was only extended until January 30 under a temporary resolution, so another shutdown is possible. According to the Bureau of…
By Michael Cherewka, Esq. The dawn of a new year is always a time for fresh starts and thoughtful planning, and 2025 is no exception. With the changing of the presidential administration, many individuals are understandably curious about how potential shifts in the political climate might affect their financial and estate planning. Whether you’re new…
By Gary C. Sanger, Ph.D., CFA Overall economic conditions have continued to improve this quarter. The new Trump administration brings hope for US economic growth and improved efficiency in government. However, new tariffs, if actually enacted, could raise prices and slow growth. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, US real annualized GDP rose by…
by Fred D. Fischer, President Fischer Financial Services, Inc. is a Professional Investment Management Firm. Asking if benchmarks of excellence are necessary in managing investments is equivalent to asking a professional golfer if keeping his score against par is relevant. Providing a client with an investment return of 5%, 10%, or 15% is irrelevant because…
by Fred D. Fischer, President Our firm has studied the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. Those laws regulate “Registered Investment Advisers” in the U.S. The laws and regs do not require investment managers, or other individuals purporting to give investment advice, to measure their performance for each…
By Fred D. Fischer, President Fischer Financial Services, Inc. is a registered investment adviser in Central Pennsylvania. We are different than most of the other registered investment advisers in our area. Most everyone else is a Wealth Management firm which is the latest terminology for a Financial Planning firm. We are purely Investment Management…