Blog
Jaimie Blackman, a former music educator, has demonstrated that music is far more than recreational entertainment. Using his guitar and music metaphors to engage his audience, Jaimie uses music as the bridge to financial harmony. Blackman’s financial wellness & education platform, called The Sound of Money®, is instrumental in helping people find their unique inner voice, essential for making sound financial decisions.
Outlook 2021: Bond Prices
The 10-year Treasury yield has climbed higher since the New Year, which means that some bond prices are dropping. You may have seen the headlines that say, “10-Year Yields Over 1%.”For some, the first time they experience...
Read MoreJanuary 11, 2021 - Markets Start 2021 on a High
The Week on Wall Street Shrugging off COVID-19 infections and the disruption at the Capitol on January 6, stocks powered higher to kick off a new year of trading.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.61%, while the Standard &...
Read MoreJanuary 4, 2021 - The Year in Review
The Week on Wall Street Stocks moved higher during a holiday-shortened week of trading, capping off a turbulent, but otherwise strong year for equity investors. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.35%, while the Standard &...
Read MoreSurprising Leadership Lessons From Jazz.
Yes to the Mess: Surprising Leadership lessons from Jazz. Frank J. Barrett Fix your business like a Jazz musician improvises. In his book Yes To the Mess, Dr. Barrett, a Management Professor, and accomplished jazz pianist, talks about...
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December 21, 2020 - Vaccine Rollout Spurs Markets
The Week on Wall Street Stocks climbed higher amid the COVID-19 vaccine rollout and an improving outlook for a fiscal stimulus bill.The Dow Jones Industrial Average, which has lagged all year, gained 0.44%. The Standard & Poor’s 500...
Read MoreDecember 14, 2020 - Cases Rise, Stocks Retreat
The Week on Wall Street Stocks retreated last week on rising COVID-19 infections and slow progress on an economic relief bill. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 0.57%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 dropped 0.96%. The Nasdaq...
Read MoreTune-Up Your 401(k) With A Cash Balance Plan
401(k) + Cash Balance plan offers the highest contributions and tax savings. Designed for owners of highly profitable small businesses Has your small business or professional practice reached a sustainable level of profitability?...
Read MoreDecember 7, 2020 - Is Stimulus Near?
The Week on Wall Street Stocks marched higher last week on an improving outlook for the passage of a fiscal stimulus package. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.03%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 tacked on 1.67%. The Nasdaq...
Read MoreNovember 30, 2020 - Dow Hits 30,000
The Week on Wall Street Stocks surged last week, ignited by another COVID-19 vaccine announcement, encouraging economic data, and the easing of political uncertainty.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.21%, while the Standard &...
Read MoreNovember 23, 2020 - New Infections Increase Anxiety
The Week on Wall StreetDespite news of another COVID-19 vaccine candidate, stocks were mixed amid investor anxiety over an increase in new infections and economic lockdowns.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.73%, while the...
Read MoreNovember 16, 2020 - Vaccine Triggers Rally
The Week on Wall Street News of a COVID-19 vaccine ignited a rally in economically sensitive stocks and a broad retreat in technology companies last week, though enthusiasm was tempered by reports of rising new infections and fresh...
Read MoreNovember 9, 2020 - Markets React to Election
The Week on Wall Street Stocks soared last week as investors anticipated that a split Congress would raise legislative hurdles to changing corporate taxes and adjusting regulatory oversight of big technology companies.The Dow Jones...
Read MoreNovember 2, 2020 - No Stimulus, Stocks Lag
The Week on Wall Street Stock prices dropped last week as hopes for a fiscal stimulus bill faded and investors focused on rising COVID-19 infections, here and abroad. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 6.47%, while the Standard &...
Read MoreOctober 26, 2020 - No Stimulus, Stocks Lower
The Week on Wall Street The failure to reach an agreement on a new fiscal stimulus bill soured investor sentiment and sent stocks modestly lower for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.95%, while the Standard & Poor’s...
Read MoreOctober 19, 2020 - A Difficult Week for Stocks
The Week on Wall Street Stocks treaded water last week amid fading prospects for a stimulus bill, fears of a second wave of COVID-19 cases, and increasing political and regulatory pressures on Big Tech companies.The Dow Jones...
Read MoreOctober 12, 2020 - Stocks Rise, Stimulus Uncertain
The Week on Wall Street Stocks staged a powerful rally last week, riding a wave of optimism over the prospect of the passage of a new fiscal stimulus bill.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 3.27%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...
Read MoreOctober 5, 2020 - Special Update: Quarterly Report
The Week on Wall Street Stocks advanced last week, propelled by hopes that legislators may reach an agreement for a new fiscal stimulus package and optimism generated by a few corporate deal announcements and initial public offerings....
Read MorePeer Accountability With Individual + Group Support= Succession Success.
Recently I’ve noticed an increase in the number of music retail sharing groups, who are expressing an interest in having me add a succession planning component to a member meeting. Having participated in several, I’m a...
Read MoreWhy Key Managers and Young Owners Need To Be Thinking Succession.
Try to have a conversation with a 20 or 30+ owner or manager about the business exit strategy, and you’re bound to get blank looks. At last winter NAMM, I got my share. Here’s a typical conversation. Scenario 1. JB- Hey...
Read MoreAMRO Music: The First 100 years
July 1 2020 The Sound of Money. Published in MMR Magazine. Column by Jaimie Blackman. In 2021, Memphis Tennessee’s Amro Music will be celebrating its centennial. It is rare for a company to survive ten decades. Less than 50...
Read MoreThe Sound of Money: Who Are You?
June 1 2020. The Sound of Money. Published in MMR Magazine. Column by Jaimie Blackman. I live in New York City. I suspect as you read this June column, some social distancing may be relaxed in different parts of the country, but as of...
Read MoreCOVID-19 Regulations: New York
A recent Executive Order issued by Governor Cuomo, together with recent amendments to the insurance and banking regulations (the “regulations”) issued by the New York State Department of Financial Services...
Read MoreFor 401(k) plan sponsors: It’s all about the plan design.
“I have a company with twenty employees. I’m paying a lot of money in taxes. Is there anything I can do to save on taxes?” “I want to set up a retirement plan for my employees. What type of plan should I be...
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