What’s on our mind? You can read about it in the Synergy blog. Whether it’s ideas from the industry or emerging trends, you can learn about it here. And once in a while, we may throw in a movie review or some other surprise. So keep checking in. Thanks for visiting...we’re glad to have you reading along!
Like any transition in life, retirement is an adjustment. If life in retirement is falling short of your expectations, there are steps you can take to change your situation.
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Life insurance is designed to help protect a household from the financial hardships that may follow the untimely death of a primary wage earner. But how will a death affect a small business?
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An important factor in determining how well you age is how active you are, according to the Mayo Clinic. The world-renowned not-for-profit institution recommends 150 minutes of moderate intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity per...
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As retirees enjoy longer average lifespans, healthcare costs will remain a significant expense in retirement. Are you prepared?
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The peak of hurricane season is upon us. You may be stocking your home with bottled water, batteries, and non-perishables, but don’t overlook one vital task: securing your documents.
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Tax planning year-round can help you avoid surprises and take advantage of provisions that can better manage your tax exposure.
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While Medicare Parts A and B cover 80 percent of healthcare costs in retirement, you are responsible for the remaining 20 percent.
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A budget is one of the most powerful tools available to create alignment between spending, saving and debt.
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If you are passionate about serving others, and believe that financial advisors can make a lasting difference in the lives of clients, Synergy Wealth Alliance may be the place for you.
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Don't compromise your online safety while you travel - here are a few easy tips to follow.
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It pays to be cognizant of the costs associated with downsizing, especially if your primary goal is to save money.
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Explore the great outdoors with friends and family to enjoy a local park in your state or one of the more than 417 National Parks throughout the United States.
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A common misconception about legacy planning is that only the very wealthy leave legacies. But nothing could be further from the truth. That’s because your legacy is about far more than the money or assets you leave to loved ones...
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During a time of emotional distress or grieving, it’s important to have your documents into one centralized place for your loved ones.
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What is the one thing many college graduates fail to learn that could make a difference in their financial future? They don’t know how to manage their money.
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Looking for a place just a little off the beaten path to spend your retirement years? Here are four unique options to consider.
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You wouldn’t leave your house unlocked while you’re on a two-week vacation – so don’t leave your personal information unlocked with easy-to-guess passwords!
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Contributing to a grandchild’s education not only helps ensure your grandchildren can pursue their dreams, but helps reduce the potential that they’ll be saddled with debt upon graduating.
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Planning throughout the year can greatly reduce the potential for surprises when it comes time to file your next return.
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There's not much you can do about rising medical costs. However, there are ways to curb the amount you pay out-of-pocket.
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What does financial well-being mean to you? These 6 steps can help make sure you're on track to meet goals at each stage of your financial journey.
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How strong are your passwords? Do you monitor your credit report? These and other simple steps can lessen the likelihood that your personal information will be compromised online.
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Help save your back during spring cleaning with these handy tips
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Have you considered going back to school? Your retirement years could be an ideal time to expand your educational horizons.
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Take these four steps today to help prevent fraudulent activity.
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Just retired? Avoid these five common mistakes made by new retirees.
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New tax brackets, new deductions and more: Here's what you need to know about the new tax laws.
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These simple steps can help rebalance your lifestyle needs and savings priorities to help put more cash in your pocket.
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Here's how recent tax law changes may impact business and personal income for small business owners.
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Do you know what the most significant changes are to the new tax laws?
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Knowing which financial and personal paperwork to keep or toss is very important. Here’s a suggested timeline for keeping/shredding documents. Documents which should be kept indefinitely—in a secure location: Birth/death...
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Are you really ready to retire? Retirees share the top four lessons they wish they'd learned sooner.
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Just retired? This retirement model outlines the common phases many retirees experience. Have you been through any of these stages?
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These free mobile apps can help you with your holiday to-do list
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Here are some smart ways to give to family and friends this holiday season that not only offer tax benefits, but provide the satisfaction of seeing the good your legacy can accomplish.
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Be on guard for cyber criminals looking to take advantage of your holiday busyness to compromise your online security.
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How much do you know about turkey day? Share these Thanksgiving trivia questions on your dinner guests.
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Retired? Wondering what you could be doing to fill your time? If you’re looking for a good book on retirement, you may want to check out the two books featured below! These come as recommendations from a few of our retired...
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Here's a quick reminder about important tax planning deadlines. If you have questions or need assistance with year-end financial and tax planning in the Orlando area, we can help!
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Will you be able to count on Social Security when you need it? Our knowledgeable advisors in Maitland, The Villages, Tampa and Jacksonville can help you with your social security questions.
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As your financial advisors, we feel that it is important to assess all our clients' potential financial risk. You have probably heard about the recent cyber-attack on Equifax, a consumer credit reporting company, and are wondering what...
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How much are you worth? Finding out the value of your estate can help you plan and prepare for the future.
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Teaching a child about basic financial concepts is essential to a lifetime of good financial habits, including the skill of frugality.
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While it’s hard to believe, another holiday season will be upon us shortly. That makes now the perfect time to review and plan for the important year-end tax, investment, and charitable giving opportunities listed below. Keep in...
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Your 70s represent a time to enjoy the fruits of your labor, but don’t get too comfortable because the IRS has some work for you to do six months after your 70th birthday. Required minimum distributions (RMDs) are one of the...
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Our hearts go out to all affected by Hurricane Irma. Many of us here at Synergy still are without power, but thankfully we all weathered the storm safely with our loved ones, and our homes sustained minimal damage. We hope all of you...
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When we think of emergency preparedness, flashlights, bottled water, and first aid kits immediately come to mind. While having a physical emergency supply kit on hand is an important first step when disaster hits, being prepared...
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For many, Labor Day is known as the last official holiday of the summer where we can enjoy a long weekend of warm weather, white clothes and BBQ’s. Did you know that Labor Day has some deep roots in American history? Falling on...
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Most children grasp concepts best when they can deal with actual things. When teaching children about money, opening the lines of communication through stories, books and experiences is important—but you can only take the lesson...
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Did you know that determining whether your Social Security earnings record is correct falls squarely on your shoulders—not your current or previous employer(s) or the Social Security Administration? Making sure your information...
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If you are planning to travel once retired, ask yourself if you and your travel companion(s) are equipped, both mentally and physically, for extended travel. Not everyone is, so before deciding your plans, consider this list of...
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At the top of many retirees’ dream vacation lists is a long-awaited trip abroad to Europe. While some choose to take cruises or guided group tours, the rest prefer to do it the old-fashioned way, hopping on planes, trains and...
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Wednesday, July 26, 2017
Our resident foodie and chef, advisor Nathan Meeks, will be sharing a recipe with you once a month! Tune in monthly for his blog, Recipes Around the World. If you’ve ever been to France or watched a French movie, you’re...
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There’s good news for the growing number of Americans approaching retirement age who are ready to scale back, but aren’t ready to completely call it quits where working is concerned. Whether you’re seeking to work...
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The saying, “it’s never too early to begin saving for retirement,” holds true at any age, even for kids in high school. In fact, if you have teens, the start of the summer job season is a great time to talk to them...
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Wednesday, June 28, 2017
Our resident foodie and chef, advisor Nathan Meeks, will be sharing a recipe with you once a month! Tune in monthly for his blog, Recipes Around the World. If I asked you to name the country best known for its coffee, soccer and large...
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In the seemingly complex world of retirement, there are important numbers you should be aware of that could make or break your overall retirement savings. A recent USA Today article highlights ten numbers that could make or break your...
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Hurricane season is here – have you taken some time to trim back the trees in your yard? A fallen tree is a nuisance that could turn into a headache. Here’s some information that may help shed light on the liability issues...
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The search for the best way to seek out adventure is at the top of many retirees’ minds. One of the great American dreams is to sell your home, buy an RV and drive off into the sunset. Of course, the flexibility and constant...
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Wednesday, May 31, 2017
Over the years, my clients have told me that one of the most memorable aspects of traveling to other countries is trying all the different types of foods. I absolutely agree with them! International foods are often rich with unique...
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Have you made plans for where you will travel once retired? If you’re looking for cross-cultural experiences, there are new travel trends for retirees that offer unique ways to enhance your next travel experience, and maybe even...
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Wednesday, May 17, 2017
Managing partner David Peckham, this year's Board Chair of Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida, has been on cloud nine all week! At the 2017 Hamlin & Associates Wishmaker's Ball this past weekend, attendees raised more than $1...
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Thanks to healthier lifestyles and advances in modern medicine, there are more Americans over the age of 65 than there have ever been. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that by 2050, more than 20 percent of U.S. residents will be aged...
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How do you know if your documents are up-to-date? There's a simple way to determine whether or not your will and other estate planning documents need to be updated.
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How Financial Advisors Are Compensated When it comes to financial advice, it's important to know what you're paying for. The fees that investors pay to financial advisors for their advice and services come in two basic forms:...
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The rise of automated “robo-investment” platforms—online services that use software programs to determine the user’s investment style and computer algorithms to manage and rebalance investment...
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One of the greatest risks for identity theft is the amount of paper with your personal information on it. Americans receive 4.5 million tons of junk mail annually – 44 percent of that is never opened! Junk mail alone can lead to...
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While tax scams can occur at any time of the year, tax scams usually peak during tax-filing season. In an effort to protect you from becoming a victim of a tax scam, we'd like to share with you some notable scams the IRS recently...
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People often view financial advice through a single lens, as investment advice. However, there’s a big difference between simply managing your investment portfolio (one aspect of your overall finances) and a holistic approach to...
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Are you a federal contractor, struggling to keep your costs down so you can win contracts, but committed to providing your employees a competitive fringe benefit package? Did you just sign up for a standard 401(k), with the usual...
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Technology has not just shrunk the tools we use, but it has allowed small businesses the power to operate like a big business. These tools can help small businesses get better organized, efficiently manage their finances, or support...
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If there is one word that can spark debate from Main Street to Capitol Hill, it is “taxes.” Opinions vary on taxes, and we'll save you the debate here, but paying taxes is our constitutional responsibility as Americans....
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“Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.” – Unknown If travel for you is less about escaping life and more about living it, then consider these vacation ideas: By Car East Coast of Australia: There may...
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Tax day will be here before you know it. Are you ready? There's no question that preparing your tax return can be a daunting challenge. And the more complex your finances, the more complex your tax return. Whether you prepare your own...
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Did you know that for more than 53% of married couples and 74% of individuals age 65 and older, at least half of their retirement income is derived from Social Security*, and approximately 25 million pay income taxes on their...
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Are you retired, or thinking about retiring this year? Here are some noteworthy changes to Social Security that both retirees as well as those currently paying into Social Security can expect in 2017. Cost-Of-Living Adjustment –...
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In today’s world, technology plays a major role in how families communicate with each other. With a variety of options to choose from Facebook, Skype, Twitter, email and text messages, families can readily keep in touch. However,...
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Just like so many people vow to commit to exercise and dieting as a New Year’s resolution, it’s also not a bad idea to take stock of your financial situation and throw in some fiscal goals. Taking a good look into your...
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As the new year approaches, we’d like to provide you with information on ways you can lower your potential tax bill for 2016. Here are four strategies you may want to consider before year-end: Boost Your Retirement Savings...
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If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to make sure your overall financial health is in good shape, it’s a good idea to dive even deeper and analyze some of your reoccurring monthly expenses that you may be wasting money...
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The holidays are a bustling time for packing up and heading out to visit loved ones and friends while enjoying a few extra vacation days, but beware of the unwanted gift of the holiday season—overpriced travel. Pay particular...
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To give is better than to receive, unless you’re giving more than your fair share to Uncle Sam. As you prepare your holiday gift list, consider some smart ways to give family and friends gifts with lasting value that also offer...
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With Black Friday around the corner, for many the stress and pressure of holiday shopping can start to creep up. Between buying gifts, traveling to visit family and decking the halls, spending during the holidays can get out of control...
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As year-end quickly approaches, so do important 2016 tax planning deadlines. The following checklist can help you simplify and manage these critical deadlines as you take advantage of opportunities to accelerate deductions, defer...
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Shortly after the recent upset election victory, the market experienced volatility. Regardless of what factors may be driving significant ups and downs in the market at any time, the first piece of advice is the same: “Do not...
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We're growing! Synergy Wealth Alliance is proud to announce that Michael Valdez has joined the firm as its newest financial advisor. He is the founder and branch manager of Synergy’s newest office in Tampa. “Michael’s...
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We would like to make you aware that the IRS has received numerous reports around the country of scammers sending a fraudulent IRS CP2000 notice for tax year 2015. The notice appears to claim a discrepancy between income reported by an...
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One of the common threads of a mobile workforce is that many individuals who leave their job are faced with a decision about what to do with their 401(k) account.¹ Individuals have three basic choices with the 401(k) account they...
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While many enjoy being spooked at Halloween, what’s not so welcome are haunting feelings about a dark financial future. If your fear of finances is holding you back and you’re too frightened to brave the unknown, take a...
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Running your own business is an all-consuming endeavor, and choosing a retirement plan for your business can become a casualty. A SEP can be established by sole proprietors, partnerships, and corporations.
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Did you know that money saved today is more valuable than money saved tomorrow? That’s due to the amazing power of compounding. To determine how quickly your savings may double, simply divide 72 by your current annual rate of...
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How often do you keep tabs on your credit score? The Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act of 2003 provided individuals with valuable rights to the credit information companies keep on them. However, the credit score provided to you...
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Preparing your estate in advance is one of the greatest gifts you can give your family. Many estates include real estate in the form of a primary home, vacation home, and other family properties. While inheriting a property can be a...
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When does your personal car become a commercial vehicle? For small business owners, the line between personal and business can be a bit hazy at times. Yet, when it comes to a vehicle that may be used for personal and business-related...
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One survey found that the most pressing financial concern facing 42% of small business owners is developing a retirement plan and exit strategy.¹ If you have yet to develop a retirement plan for your business, or if you're not...
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Whether you have children entering college for the first time or have been down this path before, helping young adult children manage the financial responsibilities that come with independence can be a challenge—especially when...
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Most parents want to give their children the best opportunity for success, and getting into the right college may help open doors. A recent study found that individuals with a Bachelor's degree or better accounted for 34% of all...
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Entrepreneurs all face the same question: “Which business structure should I adopt?”
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Over half of Americans do not own any stocks, or stock-related investments, such as mutual funds, according to a Bankrate Money Pulse survey. Everyone has a different reason for not investing, but with important long-term financial...
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There's one number that's a great indicator of your financial health: your credit score. When was the last time you checked your credit score? If it’s been more than a year, you may want to make a quick note to yourself to check...
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Have you thought about how your business will fare after you're retired? Inc. magazine reported that 66% of small-business owners have no formal succession plan. While the number may shock you, it is not surprising that many small...
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Planning to travel soon? Here are five quick tips for making practical, money-saving decisions while you travel: 1. Bring your no-fee credit cards. If your vacation plans will land you overseas, make sure to check with your credit card...
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We talk a lot about the importance of maintaining a disciplined approach to saving and planning as you pursue your long-term retirement goals. That’s because excuses like the following can quickly sabotage your efforts: “I...
Read MoreMarkets would likely react badly if Britons voted to leave the EU. The situation would create serious uncertainty about the future of the EU, and markets hate uncertainty. We don’t know exactly how a Brexit would play out; many...
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