1 | Week In Review

It Looks Like A Recession In 2023.

For the first time, the S&P 500 and the Barclay’s Aggregate Bond Index were down for three successive quarters. The Fed is still focused on halting inflation, which likely means more rate hikes. Is fixed income looking any better than it has in the past? Annex Wealth Management’s Dave Spano and Derek Felske discuss.

2 | Poll

Where Are The Safest States?

Last week we asked your opinion on travel.

8% of polltakers said traveling by train would be the safest way to travel 100+ miles, while the rest of responders were nearly split evenly between airplane and automobile, at 45% and 47% respectively. 

While it may seem like being tens of thousands of feet up in the air inside a big metal tube isn’t the most reliable way to get around, it’s actually the safest means of transportation you can choose from.

Earlier this year, turbli.com shared statistics from 10 years’ worth of data that analyzed 10 types of vehicles. Commercial flights came out as the safest transport, with train and bus having similar results. 

https://turbli.com/blog/the-safest-transport-modes-ranked-by-statistics-from-10-years-of-data/

 This week we’re looking at geography:

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3 | Client Exclusive

There’s No Use In Denying It: Fall Is Here.

Time to embrace some classic fall activities and enjoy it while we can!

Time to pull out those sweaters, scarves, and boots, or if you are one of those people who likes colder weather, then maybe it just means you finally have to wear pants. We like to think of September as the month where we pretend it’s still summer. But with October arriving, it’s truly fall – we can’t deny it anymore.

Just like everything else in our language, the word “fall” did not originate in North America. The word is actually a shortened version of the English phrase “fall of the leaf” which was common in England in the 17^th century.[1]

Even “autumn” is both foreign and old – an English version of the Latin “autumnus” which can be traced back as far is the 1300s.[2] So, we can thank our foreign roots for the name of this season that most people love so much.

The calendar year wasn’t always split up into the four seasons that we have today. For instance, in some American Indian cultures, time was measured solely by Winter.[3] For instance, four winters would actually mean four full years. Game of Thrones, anyone?

Fall becomes the official season for the Northern Hemisphere once we reach the autumnal equinox. The term equinox is Latin and literally means equal (equi) night (nox) to mark when the sun passes over the equator and day and night are almost the same length.[4] For the Northern Hemisphere, this marks the start of fall, as we are starting to tilt away from the sun. For the Southern Hemisphere, this is the time when their hotter seasons starts.

Since our equinox has come and gone, bring out all things pumpkin! It may be cliché, but it’s only because it just feels so right as the temperatures start to drop.

Whether its pumpkin flavor, pumpkin scented things, or pumpkin decorations, now is the time to embrace it all.

Looking for a few ways to enjoy fall?

For the kids:

Pumpkins are everywhere! At the farmers market, the grocery store, the local pumpkin patch, or even in a cart on the side of a country road. The ideas for what to do with them are almost as vast as the number of pumpkins out there to pick from. While we won’t explain every single one, here are a few unique ones we found[5]:

Paint or glue decorations on them rather than the traditional carving. This may be a safer option for younger kids, and everyone’s pumpkins can look different with colors, beads, leaves, or whatever you have around the house that can stick with glue!

Use it as a planter. Hollow out the pumpkin and place fresh flowers inside for truly fall themed décor.

Pumpkin bowling. Set up whatever you’d like as pins in the yard – bottles, cans, tubes, etc. and pick a pumpkin you have that looks round and get your lane up and running. We can only guess how many weird bounces it will take!

Already at a farm to look for pumpkins? Take a hayride through the property for the kids to see the farmland, look around at the fall colors and trees, and enjoy the novelty of bouncing around being pulled by a tractor. Or, if you’re feeling extra ambitious, take a trek through a corn maze – just make sure you have a map! Give it a try, this opportunity only comes around once a year!

Maybe pumpkins aren’t your thing. Another crop ready for picking in the fall is apples, or Asian Pears if you live in Florida![6] This has become a popular picture-worthy fall activity. If you can dodge the selfie takers, kids and adults alike can enjoy the rows and rows of different varieties and enjoy the hunt of finding one that’s perfectly ripe!

For the adults:

With all the fresh produce you’ve picked, there are many ways to use it and you’re sure to find something you’ll love. Pumpkin french toast, baked pumpkin seeds, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, pumpkin flavoring in soup, or pumpkin bread – the options are almost endless! And apples…need I say more? Applesauce, apple pie, apple strudel, oh my!

Pro tip: pumpkin puree can replace oil and butter in many baking recipes and adds extra flavor and creaminess while also being low in calories and fat, and high in vitamins and minerals. If you’re feeling ambitious, try this recipe for Pumpkin Alfredo sauce – yes, you read that right!

Pumpkin Alfredo Sauce

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 large clove garlic chopped
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg or allspice (more pumpkin pie flavor)
• 2 cups light cream
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage (optional)

Heat butter and sweat the garlic. Add cream and heat but do not boil. Whisk in cheese and spices and simmer for 5 minutes until cheese is fully incorporated. Whisk in pumpkin. Toss in your favorite prepared pasta.[7]

Throwing a fall harvest or Halloween costume party? Fall flavored cocktails can take your party up a notch for the adults! Try things like a Pumpkin Spice White Russian or an Apple Cider Hot Toddy. We did some research for you; find an extensive list of recipes here.

Also, all of the kids things above, because you never are too old to enjoy some simple fun!

We can’t deny fall is here. The air is cooler and more crisp (which is a funny way to describe air, and yet we all know what that means) and it’s finally time to accept it and enjoy it! Take your kids and grandkids out to enjoy some of these great activities, or you can enjoy them yourselves!

Happy fall!

[1] https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/learn-about/weather/seasons/autumn/autumn-facts
[2] https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/autumn-vs-fall 
[3] https://www.jstor.org/stable/15981 
[4]  https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/learn-about/weather/seasons/equinox-and-solstice 
[5]  https://christianwayfarm.com/2019/10/10/top-14-things-to-do-with-pumpkins/ 
[6]  https://www.visitkeystoneheights.com/fruits-vegetables-picked-during-fall/ 
[7]  https://www.heraldstandard.com/food/locally_carei/locally-carei-use-pumpkin-puree-as-a-substitute-in-cooking/article_eafa014f-c4ae-54e5-ba6f-cd21a27f2e45.html 

4 | Did You Know?

End Of Year? Already?

It may not seem like it, but we’ve just entered the 4th Quarter of 2022. It’s time to start looking at your finances and make sure we’re in line with you and your goals.

Have you had any life updates that we need to know about? Have you taken your RMDs, if applicable? Does your tax plan line up with your financial plan? Are there any questions you have that still need to get answered?

A lot happens at the end of the calendar year, and we’re here to help. Reach out to your Wealth Manager or Client Service Manager with any questions or to set up a meeting!

5 | Ask Annex

Annex Wealth Management’s Sarah Kyle and Randy Winkler, CFP® answer several Ask Annex questions:

“Years ago, Randy mentioned an app or a website he used to help budget, what was that?” – Tim

“My plan was to retire in 2023 at 66, is my timing terrible?” – Carol

“Discovered my wife has about $4,000 in pre-tax contributions she made to a defined benefit pension plan at her old government employer. She didn’t stay long enough to be vested in the pension, but we can request that the contributions be refunded to us or rolled into another plan. Is there a downside to investing it all at once?” – Justin

“Why are 60-40 portfolios getting such bad press?” – Anonymous

Do you have a question for Annex Wealth Management? Drop it here: annexwealth.com/ask

6 | Quote of the Week

Events & Webinars

Annex Wealth Management has always been committed to client growth and education. Planning and saving can be demanding. We’ve found that when our clients master key concepts, it often enhances working together to reach their goals. Because these are not sales presentations, our clients benefit from a truly informative experience.