Facts Vs Feelings Take 5 – Are Tariffs Causing Inflation?
In the latest Take 5, with hosts Ryan Detrick, Chief Market Strategist, and Sonu Varghese, VP, Global Macro Strategist, we break down the latest CPI and PPI reports, the ways tariffs are passed on to consumers, and their potential impact on Federal Reserve rate decisions. They also touch on …
Social Security Taxation Worksheet
Did you know that your Social Security benefits can be taxed? That’s right, as much as 85% of your Social Security benefits—money that you put away over your entire career—could be subject to taxation when you receive the benefits in retirement. This worksheet helps you figure out if …
Market Commentary: Taking a Look at the AI Economy as Stocks Approach New Highs
Stocks Power Back but We May See More Volatility The S&P 500 missed hitting a new high by 0.01% on Friday, as stocks on the surface had a big week. Yet, peeling back the onion showed much of the gains came from large cap tech (Apple for instance gained more than 12% on the week), …
Your Money
MoreDo I Need Life Insurance? How to Choose Life Insurance Coverage and When to Reassess Your Needs
Just because we express a desire to do something, doesn’t mean we’ll do it. Insurance is a great example of this. A recent study on life insurance statistics showed that 42% of Americans report feeling that they need more life insurance coverage.* At the same time, the percentage of familie …
Health Savings Account (HSA) Worksheet
Did you know you can utilize a health savings account (HSA) to invest for your future? HSAs have many tax benefits, including tad-deductible contributions and tax-deferred growth. But is one right for you? This worksheet will help you determine if you qualify, as well as identify common mis …
More than Just Health Insurance: Understanding and Leveraging Your Employee Benefits
When most people consider a job offer, they tend to focus on one thing: salary. But while your paycheck is important, it’s only one piece of the puzzle. Your full compensation package also includes your employee benefits—retirement accounts, insurance, personal time off, and much more.
2025 Calendar: Key Tasks & Financial Dates
Tackle 2025 with this month-by-month financial task list. We’ve also included important dates so you won’t miss any key deadlines.
Your Business
MoreYour Guide to Business Succession Planning
As a small business owner, you may be so immersed in the day-to-day functions of your business that you haven’t yet put much thought into the day you leave it behind. In fact, for many business owners, the thought of bringing their time to a close can be daunting. Yet planning for your depa …
Life Insurance Strategies for Business Owners
Owning a business can be like parenting. You’ve likely experienced many sleepless nights and spent a countless amount of energy on your “baby.” Like parenting, being a business owner can be an enriching journey and make life worth the trip.
From Tax Efficiency to Retirement: Financial Planning for Small Business Owners
Financial planning for a small business gets more complicated every day. Business owners must navigate tax efficiency (and life under the new Tax Cuts and Jobs Act), retirement preparations for yourself and your employees, and succession planning. Get your financial plan in place today and …
Business Succession Planning Checklist
You remember your first day of business. But what about your last day? Succession planning is more complex than it may seem. Our guide walks you through the details.
Your Retirement
MoreSocial Security Taxation Worksheet
Did you know that your Social Security benefits can be taxed? That’s right, as much as 85% of your Social Security benefits—money that you put away over your entire career—could be subject to taxation when you receive the benefits in retirement. This worksheet helps you figure out if …
Claiming Social Security Benefits Early
In many cases, our parents, grandparents, and great grandparents started collecting their Social Security benefits as late in life as possible. Their generations believed it was a great way to maximize their benefits. As younger generations, we have spent our entire lives listening to their …
Tax Planning in Retirement: Strategies to Help Minimize Taxes When You Retire
The transition from employment to retirement can be complex. For decades, employees and business owners received either a regular paycheck or earnings from self-employment. Suddenly, that will slow or stop. Not only will cash inflow stop, but you will also be taking money out of all these a …
Medicare and Managing Health Care Costs in Retirement
Health care costs in retirement aren't going anywhere. Naturally, as our bodies get older, it costs more to keep them running. Let's look at the parts of this vital program and how it plays a part in your financial plan.
Your Legacy
MoreHow Estate and Gift Taxes Can Impact Your Financial Plan
Tom Fridrich, JD, CLU, ChFC®, Manager and Senior Wealth Planner Giving something you own to someone else. It’s a simple, human act – one that seems like it shouldn’t take too much planning to do it correctly. But when does gifting become a tax issue? What do you need to consider about gifti …
Why You Might Need a Power of Attorney
Have you thought about your legacy? We highly recommend that you appoint a trusted family member or friend as your power of attorney (POA), giving them the ability to help with your financial or health needs, should an unfortunate event occur in your life.
7 Tips to Successfully Transfer Wealth to Your Kids
70% of family wealth is lost by the end of the second generation and 90% by the end of the third. Get our step-by-step guide to help you successfully pass your wealth to the next generation. Download Guide
A Guide to Gifting to Your Heirs
Gifting to your loved ones now or posthumously each carries their own positives and negatives as they relate to your estate plan, taxes, your goals and your legacy.
Your Freedom
MoreCompounding Wealth (and Wisdom): The Power of Compound Interest
No single strategy works forever, but you also don’t want to change your approach every time the markets shift slightly. How does investing work – not just for a season or a year or two, but for a lifetime? Time is a major factor when it comes to successful investing.
How to Make Charitable Giving Part of Your Financial Plan
COVID-19 caused an economic shockwave that we’ll feel for a long time. Nonprofits, from large global networks to the local churches, have been hit hard, too. In a recent survey of 110 nonprofits, 80% of them said revenue had fallen across the board.
7 Economic Myths Busted
By Ryan Detrick, Chief Market Strategist We’ve been hearing many of the same myths over and over, yet we don’t think they are the big worry that the media and many make them out to be. These are legitimate concerns and have many investors worried, but we think the chances of them becoming l …
When Shifting Goals Mean Shifting Plans
Your financial plan shouldn't look the same at 55 as it did when you were 35, right? So how do you know when it's time to adjust your plan?
Market & Investments
MoreFacts Vs Feelings Take 5 – Are Tariffs Causing Inflation?
In the latest Take 5, with hosts Ryan Detrick, Chief Market Strategist, and Sonu Varghese, VP, Global Macro Strategist, we break down the latest CPI and PPI reports, the ways tariffs are passed on to consumers, and their potential impact on Federal Reserve rate decisions. They also touch on …
Market Commentary: Taking a Look at the AI Economy as Stocks Approach New Highs
Stocks Power Back but We May See More Volatility The S&P 500 missed hitting a new high by 0.01% on Friday, as stocks on the surface had a big week. Yet, peeling back the onion showed much of the gains came from large cap tech (Apple for instance gained more than 12% on the week), …
Facts Vs Feelings Take 5 – Are We Slowing Down?
Ryan is on location at Hard Eight BBQ in Stephenville, Texas and even after a big meal, the insights keep coming. In this episode, Ryan Detrick, Chief Market Strategist, and Sonu Varghese, VP, Global Macro Strategist,break down what the recent jobs numbers and economic data are really telli …
Midyear Market Outlook 2025
The economy has weathered volatility and uncertainty to start 2025, with the ongoing bull market continuing its run and the labor market staying strong. But plenty of headwinds remain as we head into the second half of the year.
In the News
MoreCOVID’s Financial Toll Isn’t What You Think
By Erin Wood, Senior Vice President, Financial Planning and Advanced Solutions Just a few years ago, Rose retired with a decent-sized 401(k). With some careful budgeting and a part-time job, her retirement finances were on track. Rose was looking forward to traveling, reigniting her passion …
Emerging Financially Healthy After a Gray Divorce
By: Erin Wood, CFP®, CRPC®, FBS®, Senior Vice President, Financial Planning, Carson Group Laura and Caroline are in their late 50s. Friends since meeting at a playgroup for their toddlers, both were in long-term, seemingly happy marriages.
3 Roth Conversion Traps To Avoid After The SECURE Act
Roth conversions can be a powerful tax and retirement planning technique. The idea behind most Roth conversions is to take money from an IRA and convert it to a Roth IRA. Essentially, you’re paying taxes today instead of paying taxes in the future.