Financial/Investing

Kurt Mueller’s personal investment strategy hasn’t changed a bit since Russia invaded Ukraine, and he has helped his clients avoid panicking about the current uncertainty surrounding the stock market. Mueller, the certified financial planner for Apollon Wealth Management’s Augusta office, called each client to discuss the situation and ease their anxiety. His advice on investment strategy varies based on a client’s age, risk tolerance, and financial goals, among other factors. “Some investors make major changes based on news headlines,” he said. “I’m not sure that’s the correct approach.” In the

Drive, hard work and asking questions propelled Tom Mastny to a three-year Major League baseball career. Now, he’s using those same attributes to help CSRA businesses contain health care costs. Mastny is CEO of The Pennant Group, a health benefits company that helps employers dig deeper to discover the reasons for high health costs and then find ways to reduce or contain those costs. “It’s the ‘hidden paycheck,’” Mastny said about the health care costs. “Most employees don’t understand all the things taken out of their check, and if you

I have been asked over the past 10 days to provide an opinion on the impact of the Russia invasion of Ukraine on the local economy. I have struggled to say anything but the blindingly obvious: Oil prices will go up, and so therefore will gas prices! With a little reflection, here are my more considered thoughts: War is not good for the economy! Anyone who has seen the physical destruction in Ukraine, or followed the depreciation of the ruble, and subsequent hike in Russian interest rates, could not fail

Mobile payment apps like CashApp and Venmo have been a boon for some small businesses, but a change in the tax law will increase the need for stricter accounting practices. In the past, a business could bring in $20,000 through an app without triggering any additional paperwork, but in 2022 the IRS has lowered that threshold to $600. Any amount of business transactions totaling more than $600 will require the app to send a 1099-K income form to the business. This includes apps that have accounts that hold money, like

When Les Perry, General Manager of Riverside Refreshments of Augusta, takes a look at his gas prices from January 2022 compared to January 2021, he sees a staggering figure – a 65 percent increase. With more than 100 trucks on the road daily, the vending supply and beverage distributor is concerned about how much gas prices have increased and how much higher they may go as a result of the conflict in Ukraine. “There’s no question it’s affecting us,” Perry said. “All of our suppliers are facing the exact same