Economic impact of Trump’s new policies, local and global

Our hearts break for the households affected by the capricious and unconscionable events at USAID and broadly in the Federal Government. If you need help, please reach out to us. We are prioritizing our ongoing clients and will try to help others affected as best we can. We do not have any inside information, no one does.

The only thing we are sure about is that the next decade will not resemble the last. There is no going back to the modernist world in which we grew up. Civil society, global human equality, and a functioning representative democracy are no longer broadly shared American values.

Arguably they were never fully shared. At least it was once broadly accepted that there are facts and truth and a need to compromise. These cynical, selfish, post-modern politics are a step back in our nation’s history. Nonetheless, this is our new and probably permanent reality. Liberals are now the conservatives, hoping for a return to a safer past when norms were maintained.

Economically, we are very concerned. The Wall Street Journal calls this, “the dumbest trade war in history.” One doesn’t get more by claiming a larger share of a smaller pie. Global growth is stunted by high U.S. Federal Reserve rates. Inflation, just barely tamed, is about to be simulated by tariffs, tax cuts, and government spending.

Please resist the urge to market-time amid the chaos—it never works. Getting your financial plans in shape is a better use of time.

There’s good news on the horizon for Lifetime Financial including the resumption of the blog, a new website, and added services. We’ll hold off as it’s a celebratory note and feels tone-deaf in this sad moment.

Thank you for all your contributions to a better world. You brought hope to others, a gift that is never wasted.