(253) 638-7121 Rob@sprylenwealth.com

      Monthly Market Review & Outlook

      10 Simple Financial Tasks You Can Tackle in an Hour

      You won't believe how much you can accomplish — and save — in just a few minutes Have 60 minutes to kill? You could spend it watching TV or playing games on your smartphone. Or you could spend it saving money, by ticking some easy but important financial tasks off...

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      How the Compensation Limit Affects Retirement Plan Benefits

      By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst   Many retirement plans base employer contributions on employee compensation. For many years, Congress has limited the compensation that can be taken into account for those contributions. Fortunately, this dollar limit only applies...

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      New Reporting for 2025 QCDs

      By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education The IRS has introduced a new code for the reporting of qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) by IRA custodians on Form 1099-R. How QCDs Work QCDs first became available in 2006, and they were made permanent in...

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      Weekly Market Commentary

      -Darren Leavitt, CFA US financial markets were little changed last week as investors continued to weigh the implications of the Trump administration's trade policies.  A trade agreement between the US and the UK set a constructive tone and is likely to provide a...

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      4 Key Decisions for Early Retirement

      ‘Will your money last?’ isn’t the only question to consider before retiring. I was chatting with a friend the other day about his retirement—possibly an early one. At age 60, he has worked hard, saved aggressively, and invested well. Most important, he’s pretty burned...

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      Check Both Boxes for Tax-Free Roth IRA Earnings

      By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Roth IRAs follow strict distribution ordering rules. Contributions come out first, then converted dollars, and then earnings. It does not matter how many Roth IRAs a person has, or if the accounts are held at multiple custodians....

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      How Plan After-Tax Contributions Are Taxed When Converted

      By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst   The April 23, 2025, Slott Report article, “After-Tax 401(k) Contributions Shouldn’t Be an Afterthought,” discusses how 401(k) after-tax contributions can be moved into Roth accounts through in-plan Roth conversions, the “mega...

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      Weekly Market Commentary

      -Darren Leavitt, CFA Global markets rallied for a second week as the S&P 500 clinched nine consecutive days of gains- something not seen in two decades.  News that trade negotiations between the US and seventeen countries would occur over the next few weeks...

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      How to Plan for Retirement Like a Veteran

      Surveys show ex-service members retire with more assets, less debt and greater confidence. Here are six ways to follow their lead. When her son Corbett joined the Marine Corps right out of high school in 2013, Lara Ferguson was surprised to learn that he was required...

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      Basis In Your Traditional IRA

      By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst QUESTION: My wife and I created a Roth IRA when our two children were young to pay for their college education. Our daughter is finishing her second year of school, and our son will be entering college this fall. We have withdrawn...

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      Basis In Your Traditional IRA

        By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education While most distributions from a traditional IRA are taxable, sometimes distributions can include after-tax dollars. These after-tax dollars are known as “basis.” Handling and tracking basis in your...

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      72(t): Switching Methods in a Market Downturn

      By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst When a person under the age of 59½ needs access to his IRA dollars, there is a 10% early withdrawal penalty applied to any distribution, unless an exception applies. One of the many 10% penalty exceptions is a 72(t) “series of...

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      Weekly Market Commentary

      -Darren Leavitt, CFA Global financial markets rallied on several reports that suggested significant progress was being made on trade negotiations.  Vice President Vance met with Indian Prime Minister Modi on his visit to India.  The two leaders announced they were in...

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      6 things to consider when saving for retirement.

      Retirement is a time to enjoy your golden years and live life to the fullest. But in order to do that, it's important to start planning early. Retirement savings can be a complex topic, but there are a few key things to keep in mind to get started. 1. Start saving...

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      3 Retirement Account Moves You Can Still Do for 2024

        By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education   The April 15 tax-filing deadline has come and gone. However, for some 2024 retirement account planning strategies, it’s not too late! There is still time beyond the April 15 deadline. Here are three...

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      Weekly Market Commentary

      -Darren Leavitt, CFA Equity markets regressed during the abbreviated trading week, while US Treasuries found some footing. Trade policies continued to influence markets and foster uncertainty. Little progress was made on country-specific tariffs, while several...

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      NUA: “Resetting” Cost Basis

      By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst   The recent market ride has been nuts. It is certainly no fun for anyone who owns stock or stock funds. Many of us are experiencing the same sensation in our gut as when a roller coaster click, click, clicks to its apex and...

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      Still Waiting for IRS Guidance on IRA Self-Correction Program

      By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst   In the 2022 SECURE 2.0 legislation, Congress gave the IRS two years – until December 29, 2024 – to come up with rules allowing IRA owners to fix certain mistakes through self-correction. Alas, December 29, 2024 has now come and...

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      Weekly Market Commentary

      -Darren Leavitt, CFA Wow, what a week on Wall Street.  Continued uncertainty regarding trade policy induced massive swings in the equity, bond, commodity, and currency markets.  A 7% intraday swing in the S&P 500 on Monday was superseded by a 10.8% intraday move...

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      Will Market Volatility Mean RMD Waivers for 2025?

      By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education   Recent turmoil in the markets has hit many retirement savers hard as they see their IRA and 401(k) balances rapidly shrinking. For many, the age-old advice to stay the course for the long term and not cash...

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      Who Can Use a 10% Penalty Exception?

      By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst   As a follow up to the March 26 Slott Report entry that included a full list of the 10% early withdrawal penalty exceptions (“10% Penalty Exceptions: IRAs and Plans”), here we get a little deeper into the weeds on some of the...

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      Weekly Market Commentary

      -Darren Leavitt, CFA Global financial markets tumbled last week as investors moved out of risk assets, fearing that a worldwide trade war would ensue after Trump's tariffs were higher than anticipated.  Thursday and Friday’s market action resulted in a $5.4 trillion...

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      5 Dos and Don’ts When Lending Money to Loved Ones

      Helping friends or family shouldn’t mean hurting your finances Let’s face it: Money is tight for many people. And if you have loved ones in your life who are struggling financially, you may feel inclined to help them. If you do, proceed with caution. ​​According to a...

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      Make Your 2024 IRA Contribution by April 15

      By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education   There is still time! You can still make a prior-year (2024) IRA or Roth IRA contribution up to the tax filing due date, April 15, 2025. For most people, there is no extension beyond that date, regardless of...

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      Weekly Market Commentary

      -Darren Leavitt, CFA It's been a difficult month for investors, and sentiment indicators tell that story.  Wall Street appeared poised to build on the prior week's gains, but regressed again as mixed signals on tariffs and a loss of sentiment gave reason to sell. ...

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      11 Mistakes Retirees Make at the Supermarket

      It’s not just inflation. Your bad habits may explain why you’re paying too much for groceries. Retirees living on fixed incomes have been feeling the pinch of rising grocery costs. Grocery prices in February rose 2.6 percent year-over-year, according to the U.S....

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      10% Penalty Exceptions: IRAs and Plans

      By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF®IRA Analyst If a person under age 59½ takes a withdrawal from his IRA or workplace plan, there is a 10% early withdrawal penalty…unless an exception applies. There are currently 20 exceptions, with a 21st on the way. Here are those exceptions,...

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      12 Super Catch-Up Contribution Questions Answered

      By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst   We continue to get lots of questions about the new “super catch-up” contribution for retirement plan and SIMPLE IRA participants who are ages 60-63. Here are answers to your top 12 questions: 1. When does the super catch-up...

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      Weekly Market Commentary

      -Darren Leavitt, CFA The S&P 500 avoided a fifth straight week of losses as investors continued to assess the impact of Trump’s policies.  A late rally on Friday afternoon, fueled on heavy volume from quarterly options' expiration, helped propel the S&P 500...

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      Retire with confidence: Master your finances and lifestyle

      Discover steps to help you prepare for retirement Imagine this: After decades of hard work and dedication, you’re just 12 months away from the retirement of your dreams. Exciting, right? But hold on, this final stretch is crucial. Let’s make sure you’re fully prepared...

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      Surprise! You May Still Be Eligible for the Stretch IRA

      By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education The arrival of the SECURE Act means the end of the stretch IRA for many beneficiaries. Instead, a 10-year payout rule applies for most IRAs inherited by non-spouse beneficiaries. However, the SECURE Act does allow...

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      IRA Trivia: Missed RMD or Excess Contribution?

      By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst   Here is an all-too-common situation that seems counterintuitive: A participant in a 401(k) retires and must take his required minimum distribution (RMD). This person requests that his entire 401(k) plan balance be directly...

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      Weekly Market Commentary

      -Darren Leavitt, CFA Investors endured the fourth consecutive week of losses in US equity markets as concerns around tariffs and their impact on the economy continued to weigh on sentiment. Several investment banks decreased their assessment of US equities and...

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      7 Strategies for More Income in Retirement

      “Old age is always fifteen years older than I am.” —Bernard Baruch, American financier, investor, statesman and philanthropist One of the biggest fears people have is running out of money in retirement. And for many Americans, this is a very real risk, not an...

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      How Roth IRA Distributions Are Taxed

      By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education   Do you have a Roth IRA? If you do, there will very likely come a time when you want to take a distribution from that account. The distribution rules for taxation of Roth IRA distributions can be complicated,...

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      Weekly Market Commentary

      -Darren Leavitt, CFA Economic growth concerns weighed on US financial markets as manic trade policy fostered uncertainty and volatility.  It was a hectic week as investors tried to make sense of Trump’s tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China.  The announcement that...

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      Roth Conversions: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag

        By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Question: Hello, If a person is turning 73 years old in March, s/he would be required to take required minimum distributions for the year. Can a person do Roth Conversion prior to turning age 73 (say in February)?  Does the...

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      How an annuity can help as you plan for retirement

      As you approach retirement, you may be wondering what are the next steps for your investments. An annuity may be an effective tool for you in retirement planning by providing a steady and reliable income stream. With 2024 being the year with the greatest number of...

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      RMD Avoidance: Red Flags and Dead Ends

        By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst I appreciate it when reputable financial advisors fight for their clients. It is a pleasure to see a well-educated, experienced professional leave no stone unturned when it comes to helping someone through a problematic...

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      Deciphering the Rules for Roth 401(k)-to-Roth IRA Rollovers

      By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst More and more 401(k) plans are making Roth employee contributions available, and employees leaving their jobs often want to roll over Roth 401(k) funds to a Roth IRA. What tax rules apply to distributions of amounts rolled over? Warning:...

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      Weekly Market Commentary

      -Darren Leavitt, CFA Growth concerns entered the market narrative as investors continued to look at policy uncertainties on tariffs and the strains on geopolitical relations.  The Trump administration confirmed that 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico would be effective...

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      9 Ways Retirement Will Be Different in 2025

      How changes in Social Security, Medicare, 401(k) contributions and more will affect your finances Retirement is not static. Even when the kids are gone and the career is done, your lifestyle and expectations are constantly evolving. So are your finances. Areas key to...

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      Watch Out for the Once-Per-Year Rollover Rule

      By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Why is it so important to know how the “once-per-year rollover rule” works? Well, that’s because trouble with the once-per year rule is the kind of trouble no one wants! If you violate this rule, you are looking at...

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      IRA Transactions: Detours and Alternate Routes

      By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Sometimes we get stuck in traffic, or a highway is closed, and we are forced to find an alternate route. I’m not talking about driving across someone’s front yard or going the wrong way on a one-way street. Think side roads and...

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      Weekly Market Commentary

      -Darren Leavitt, CFA The holiday-shortened week saw the S&P 500 hit all-time highs, but late in the week, the move abruptly succumbed to consolidation pressure. Investors are worried about valuations, trade tensions, inflation, and declining consumer sentiment. A...

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      Weekly Market Commentary

      -Darren Leavitt, CFA Despite all of the uncertainties within the investment landscape, global markets were able to post nice gains last week.  Fourth-quarter earnings continued to roll in with notable results from Coca-Cola, McDonald's, Roku, Cisco Systems, Draft...

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      Weekly Market Commentary

      -Darren Leavitt, CFA Uncertainty about global trade continued to be at the top of investors' minds as Trump announced 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada while levying 10% on Chinese goods. Mexico and Canada's immediate reaction was to place tariffs on US goods. But an...

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      3 Social Security Changes Retirees Need to Know About in 2025

      Key Points A modest cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will make benefit checks bigger. Note that higher earners will pay a bit more in Social Security taxes. Retirees still earning income may have some of their benefits temporarily withheld. The $22,924 Social Security...

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      Why You Should Take Your 2025 RMD Now

        By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education   The deadline for most retirement account owners to take their 2025 required minimum distribution (RMD) is December 31, 2025. However, there are good reasons why you should take your RMD now instead of...

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      Inherited IRAs – Bankruptcy Protection?

      By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Just over 10 years ago, in June 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously, 9-0, that inherited IRAs are NOT protected in bankruptcy under federal law. The primary issue before the Court was whether an inherited IRA is a...

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      Weekly Market Commentary

      Darren Leavitt, CFA US financial markets were extremely busy last week as a rush to download a Chinese AI platform called Deep Seek from Apple’s App Store seemingly changed the narrative around artificial intelligence in a heartbeat and on multiple fronts.  Capital...

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      Are HSAs Going Roth?

      By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Many of the provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act are scheduled to expire at the end of 2025. There are currently a number of proposals in the works in Congress to extend these tax cuts. A serious hurdle is how...

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      Weekly Market Commentary

      Darren Leavitt, CFA Wow, what a week! US markets were closed on Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States. It was a historic day indeed. The global markets were poised for a barrage of executive...

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      A Checklist for Retiring in 2025

      Our checklist for retiring next year includes everything you need to do before the retirement party. Only you can know if you're ready for a checklist for retiring in 2025. If you’re 60 or getting there, retirement is no longer a hazy concept in the distance. It’s a...

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      Rollovers and Inherited IRAs: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag

      By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education   Question: I have a large non-qualified 457 deferred compensation plan and I am required to take distributions. I am looking to minimize taxes. Can I roll over these funds to an IRA? Answer: Unfortunately,...

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      529-to-Roth IRA: False Alarm

      By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst   When the “check engine” light comes on in a vehicle, most people are rightfully concerned that something is wrong. When a fire alarm blares through a building, it is wise to take stock of your surroundings. And when a member...

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      One Roth IRA Rule Congress Should Do Away with Now

      By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Today is Inauguration Day. A new administration has arrived. We also have a new Congress. With the arrival of newly elected officials, many will have hopes of legislative change. When it comes to retirement...

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      Weekly Market Commentary

      -Darren Leavitt, CFA Financial markets advanced this week as a solid start to the fourth-quarter earnings season, and some better-than-feared inflation data gave investors a reason to buy the most recent dip.  The financial sector gained 6.1% on the week as bank...

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      IRS Issues Mandatory Roth Catch-Up Regulations

      By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst One of the more controversial rules in the 2022 SECURE 2.0 Act is the requirement that plan catch-up contributions by certain highly-paid employees be made on a Roth basis. Last Friday, (January 10, 2025) the IRS issued proposed...

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      Beneficiary Form Resolutions

      We are two weeks into 2025. Have you been following through on your New Year’s resolutions? As our readers already know, for an IRA owner not to follow through on his or her annual check up of beneficiary forms could have dire consequences. Repeat after me: In 2025, I...

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      Weekly Market Commentary

      -Darren Leavitt, CFA US equity markets fell in the first full week of 2025 as investors recalibrated their Federal Reserve monetary policy expectations. Stronger labor data, a robust ISM Services print, and a weaker Consumer Sentiment report showing increased...

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      5 Key Changes to 401(k)s in 2025 and What They Mean for You

      These new rules could make it easier for you to save more money for retirement Participating in a 401(k) plan where you work is a smart way to invest for retirement. Plus, your employer may match some or all of the money you contribute. In 2025 the rules for 401(k)s...

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      What’s New for 2025

      By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst When the ball dropped in Times Square on New Year’s Eve, a number of new retirement account provisions became effective. We’ve previously written about each of these new rules in The Slott Report. This article will serve as a checklist,...

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      5 Things We Are Talking About at the Slott Report in 2025

      By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education   The year 2025 is upon us! There is no doubt that this will be an eventful time for retirement accounts. As the new year kicks off, here is what we are talking about now at the Slott Report. 1. Increased...

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      Weekly Market Commentary

      -Darren Leavitt, CFA The final trading sessions for 2024 extended losses from the prior week, but the S&P 500 and NASDAQ still posted impressive gains for the year, 23.3% and 28.6%, respectively.  The so-called Santa Clause Rally did not appear for the second...

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      What’s Changing for Retirement in 2025?

      How Secure 2.0 and inflation adjustments will affect retirement savers and spenders. For retirement savers, the ringing in of the new year will bring more than the usual inflation adjustments to retirement contributions. The retirement legislation known as Secure 2.0...

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      Jelly-of-the-Month Club

      By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst   I counted them. This year the Slott Report published 101 blog articles. While other sites add “pay-for-content” firewalls, we continue to pump out incredibly valuable and important information, week after week, totally free...

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      Weekly Market Commentary

      -Darren Leavitt, CFA Market action was mixed in a holiday-shortened week of trade.  The Santa Clause rally, which runs for the last five trading sessions of the year through the first two trading sessions of the New Year, kicked off with gains from mega-cap...

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      Sprylen Wealth Management, LLC is a registered investment adviser in the state of Washington. The Adviser may not transact business in states where it is not appropriately registered or exempt from registration. Individualized responses to persons that involve either the effecting of transactions in securities or the rendering of personalized investment advice for compensation will not be made without registration or exemption. Most states exempt us for up to 6 clients.