Recently, the Fed increased interest rates for only the 2^nd time in over 10 years.  It was a modest ¼ point, and in December the Fed again issued guidance that they will likely raise rates several times next year, which is essentially the same message we received from the Fed in December of 2015.  This time may be different though– consumer sentiment reached a peak in December and small business optimism jumped 38%, to its highest point since 2004.  Hopefully, the economy will see faster growth in the coming year and beyond.