July 4th - A Time for Celebration...Especially This Year

By: Gary R. Oman, CPA, PFS, MST

Happy July 4^th! This is such a special day and time of the year. Kids are out of school for the summer and the weather for “July 4^th week” has always been sunny, hot and very summer-like…at least that is the way I always remember it as a kid.

First, though, in my message to you a year ago, I said the following, “While we’ve faced several health, social, and economic crises this year, July Fourth is a good time to think about how lucky we are to live in this great country and to remember the resilience and perseverance we’ve demonstrated over the past 244 years [now, plus one more]. History has shown us that better times will come.”

We have begun to experience some of those better times. The United States has had great success getting people vaccinated, though there are states or pockets in some states that lag on their vaccination rates. More people have gotten jobs and gone back to work. The economy is improving with double digit increases in the various stock market indicators, such as the S&P 500, Dow Jones and the NASDAQ. Nothing is perfect, for sure, but progress is being made.

Pleasant memories can sometimes help us deal with the stressful days we all experience. This time of year those memories are of a more leisurely pace, good weather, trips to the beach, July 4^th fireworks and parades, cookouts with family and friends, carnivals and cotton candy, or maybe just a cold beverage while sitting in the backyard with friends.

Best wishes for a fun and safe July 4^th holiday weekend!

Until next time…

Gary

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_Disclosures:

_{The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results. All indices are unmanaged and may not be vested into directly.}

_{The economic forecasts set forth in this material may not develop as predicted and there can be no guarantee that strategies promoted will be successful.}