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Monday, December 4, 2023

It’s the busiest shopping time of the year and everyone is buying gifts for friends and family. It is a perfect time for fraudsters to strike. We all know how inconvenient and time consuming having a compromised credit card can...

Monday, November 20, 2023

Will and I attended a “Future Ready” event at Des Moines Lincoln High School recently.  The format is designed to gather graduates from Lincoln to share career, college and general career advice.  There were a...

Wednesday, November 8, 2023

Divorce is one of the most stressful life events. Even the most amicable splits can be complicated and emotionally draining. We likely all know couples who have gone through divorce, and it can be a trying time for everyone involved....

Monday, November 6, 2023

When there is a spike in global conflicts or disasters, there is also a spike in charitable giving. Charitably minded families want to help the innocent and unsuspecting people who are affected by these crises by giving to charities...

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

While we haven’t yet said goodbye to 2023, it’s not too early to begin thinking about any tax changes that may be on the horizon. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017 was designed to overhaul the federal tax code by...

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Tuesday, October 17, 2023

SECURE 2.0: Changes Going Into Effect in 2024 Passed in 2019, the SECURE Act was the most substantial retirement legislation in over a decade. It contained important changes designed to help investors save more and be better prepared...

Tuesday, October 10, 2023

               When applying for college admission or for financial aid it can feel like you are in the dark. Once you submit your application the decision process...

Tuesday, October 3, 2023

Time to Think About Year-End Financial Strategies As we roll into fall and the fourth quarter, now is a good time to pause and reflect on proactive ways to set up your finances for 2024. Economically speaking, we are now in a much...

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

While artificial intelligence (AI) is making headlines today, the concept of "thinking machines" can be traced back to ancient philosophers and mathematicians. The phrase artificial intelligence was first used in the mid-20th century,...

Thursday, September 14, 2023

In recent times, there has been an increasing burden of student loan debt on students and graduates. The numbers don't lie!  While having access to education is vital to career and economic growth, the burden of paying off student...

Tuesday, September 12, 2023

Social Security, the program you may have spent a lifetime paying into, is designed to offer stability, supplemental income, and other valuable benefits that can play a role in your overall financial strategy after you retire. We've...

Tuesday, September 5, 2023

If you ask the average investor which month is the most volatile for the stock market, they will probably say October. It's a reasonable answer, but it's incorrect. Despite October's reputation for market-defining events like the...

Wednesday, August 30, 2023

Artificial Intelligence is still in its infant stages of development and usefullness. Here are few tips for early adoption to make life easier.

Monday, August 21, 2023

In today’s digital landscape, phishing attacks have become a pervasive cybersecurity threat that can compromise both your financial well-being and personal identity. Outlined below are several tips that can be of great value to...

Friday, August 18, 2023

We understand that another financial aid form is the last thing you want to deal with, especially before completing the FAFSA. The “college-preparation to-do list” seems to never end! However, this form could lessen the...

Monday, August 7, 2023

You’ve done a great job teaching your children vital life lessons and instilling values that will last a lifetime. As summer ends and a new school year begins, one thing that shouldn’t be overlooked, especially for...

Tuesday, August 1, 2023

Changes are coming to the complicated form that students must submit to qualify for college financial aid, known as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).The Department of Education is calling it the “most...

Monday, July 24, 2023

The college planning process isn’t easy. Picking the right school, finding the perfect roommate, meeting scholarship application deadlines, and on top of all of that…..you have to fill out the FAFSA. Many families think...

Friday, July 14, 2023

Early in my career as a banker, I remember spending a serious amount of time explaining how a fax machine worked to one of my customers. He did not understand the technology. It seemed to make him angry that documents could be...

Tuesday, July 11, 2023

Changes to 529 Plans in the SECURE 2.0 ActThe SECURE Act was initially passed by Congress at the end of 2019 and was intended to improve retirement savings opportunities. It was a big deal at the time and the most significant piece of...

Thursday, July 6, 2023

What if your child needs braces? The cost may be as much as $6,000 for metal braces—more modern versions can run as much as $13,000. Your health insurance may cover only a portion of the cost. If you're well past the braces stage...

Thursday, June 22, 2023

Getting your affairs in order and outlining what you want done with your estate after you’re gone is one of the greatest gifts you can leave your loved ones. However, not preparing for the transfer of your assets can lead to...

Wednesday, June 14, 2023

Senior care costs can be overwhelming, particularly when long-term care is required due to illness or medical conditions. With the number of seniors in the U.S. expected to rise exponentially by 2030, it's crucial to be prepared for...

Tuesday, June 13, 2023

 Saving for college is not an easy task, and many people don’t know where to start. There are many different investment strategies that you can use, so which one is right for your family? If you have a child at home with a...

Thursday, May 25, 2023

Estate management can be a complex and daunting task for many people, but it’s a critical step in helping your assets get managed and distributed according to your wishes.One popular tool that can be used in estate strategies is...

Thursday, May 11, 2023

Economies move in cycles – always have, always willThe Federal Reserve has been steadily increasing interest rates in an attempt to slow the rate of inflation. Its efforts are yielding some results, although inflation remains...

Friday, April 28, 2023

Fun fact: You probably have dozens of credit scores out there, and each one might be a different number.You’re probably familiar with a credit score, why it’s essential, and what it’s used for, but do you know how...

Monday, April 17, 2023

Big changes are coming for your family this summer! We discuss three tips to help you help your student get ready.

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

As we get older, it’s important that our adult children are prepared to manage any aging-related situations that may arise. This includes everything from having to make medical and financial decisions to determining assisted...

Monday, March 20, 2023

Every parent wants the best for their children and strives to prepare them to lead a happy, healthy, and successful life. But, despite understanding the importance of financial responsibility, only 28 percent of parents speak to their...

Monday, March 6, 2023

Transitioning from Private Health Insurance Plans to MedicareAs you approach retirement age, you may be anticipating transitioning from your private insurance to Medicare, which is a federal health insurance program that provides...

Monday, January 16, 2023

Check out the replay of Insights 2023

Monday, November 7, 2022

“Never respect men merely for their riches, but rather for their philanthropy; we do not value the sun for its height, but for its use.” - GamalielBaileyAs we near year-end 2022 many will contemplate giving strategies into...

Monday, October 24, 2022

The kids are away at college and you now have something called free time. Giddy Up! Or maybe not… Now that the golf courses are starting to close for the winter season, what do you do with all of this free time?It may sound...

Wednesday, October 12, 2022

If you have an inherited IRA and/or beneficiary IRA account, you should be aware of some recent confusion regarding the distribution rules in these accounts.The10-year rule that was established in 2019 dictated that all beneficiaries...

Thursday, September 29, 2022

Legislation moving through our federal government right now includes a number of new tax proposals. Nothing is final, but I thought it would be helpful to see where the plan is heading and any actions that we should consider.1. The...

Monday, September 26, 2022

A few years ago, I used this R.E.M song to describe the negative tint in all things market, economy and policy related. As I write this on Monday, September 26th I am again marveling at the pervasive negative news across the world....

Friday, September 2, 2022

If you are a divorced or separated parent sending your child to college, the FAFSA can raise some common questions and complications for your family during the filing process.‍Having experienced a divorce personally, I can attest...

Friday, September 2, 2022

Filing the FAFSA and not sure what to do? We have been there too. Assisting four children through college means filing the FAFSA four times, so we would like to think we have gained some expertise in federal financial aid.‍We...

Tuesday, August 23, 2022

When satisfaction or contentment is derived primarily from our comparative view of others, particularly their financial persona, we may find ourselves never finding real satisfaction or contentment.One can rarely attend a party, share...

Wednesday, August 10, 2022

We have a quick video on the markets/world at large through the lens of the I's and the R's.‍https://bbemaildelivery.com/bbext/?p=video_land&id=c4a9a6b8-8e1e-49f7-ab2f-707ae25e405b‍

Wednesday, June 29, 2022

“We all have a picture of what our lives may look like when our kids leave home.” – Empty Nest Full Pockets. We may conjure up different ways to cope - whether they be healthy or unhealthy for our mental or physical...

Wednesday, June 22, 2022

A 529 plan is an investment account where the funds are designed to pay for your students’ education. As stated in Part 1 of this series, 529s can cover qualified education expenses. Here are 5 reasons you should consider opening...

Tuesday, June 21, 2022

Among the tools available to fund your child’s higher education, 529 plans, also known as ‘qualified tuition plans,’ are a highly effective and successful alternative.A 529 plan is an investment account that is used...