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Do You Know The Score?
And just like that, suddenly, it's September again.I don't know about you, but every September I feel a certain sense of renewal. Something left over from my high school days, I suppose. All it takes is the sound of a locker slamming,...
Read MoreTop 10 Questions High Net Worth Individuals Ask About Social Security
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...
Read MoreUnderstanding the September Effect: What It Is and Why It Happens
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...
Read MoreDon't Get Hooked: A Guide to Recognizing and Avoiding Phishing
As financial professionals, we understand how vital it is to safeguard your personal and financial information. Unfortunately, in our increasingly digital world, cybersecurity risks, such as phishing attacks, have become a prevalent...
Read MoreCooler Temps Ahead?
Ah ... summer.It's a beautiful time of year filled with warmth and sunshine. A time that many of us look forward to.Days like this, looking ahead to stormy weather may be the last thing you want to do. But planning for a "rainy day" is...
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Money Tips for Parents Sending Children Off to College
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...
Read MoreAttention Parents and Grandparents of College-Bound Students: FAFSA Gets an Overhaul
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...
Read MoreThe 6 Biggest Mistakes DIY Investors Make and How to Avoid Them
IntroductionOver the last several months, I have met with quite a few self-proclaimed do-it-yourself (DIY) investors who, after struggling with the markets in 2022, approached me asking for a second opinion. Interestingly, almost every...
Read MoreHow the SECURE 2.0 Act Changed 529 Plans
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...
Read MoreCelebrating Independence Takes On A Whole New Meaning
July is more than just barbecues and picnics.Back in 1776, our founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence -- an event we celebrate every 4th of July. That spirit of independence is definitely something worth commemorating,...
Read MoreTop 7 Most Common Estate Strategy Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
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...
Read MoreNavigating the Costs of Senior Care: Tips for Preparing for Long-Term Care
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...
Read MoreHow Much Is Appropriate?
It's wedding season!Yes, it's that time again. Although weddings do happen all throughout the year, the traditional June wedding remains very popular. Do you know a couple about to take the plunge?These days, many couples are...
Read MoreLiving Trusts: Understanding the Basics and Key Considerations
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...
Read MoreTightening That Belt
Are you getting ready for summer?As spring draws to a close, many choose this time of year to start focusing on getting fit and trim for the summer. Could your spending habits benefit from a diet, too?This is a great time to think...
Read MoreTrying to Time a Recession?
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...
Read MoreWhat Factors Have the Greatest Impact on Your Credit Score?
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...
Read MoreBest Bang For Your Refund Buck?
Its tax refund time! Have you given any thought to what you'll do with your tax refund this year? Vacations, cars and home improvement items often top the list, but is that the smartest use of your tax refund dollars?Is there a...
Read MoreImportant Financial Considerations to Make When Remarrying Later in Life
Discussing personal finances is important for any couple preparing for marriage. However, this topic can be more complicated for those who remarry later in life.If you’re remarrying later in life, one of your goals should be to...
Read MoreTop Considerations to Help Adult Children Be Better Prepared As You Age
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...
Read MoreChecklist to Adjust Your Withholding
Remember when receiving a check from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) was a cause for celebration?But now, is getting a check from the IRS a good fit with your lifestyle? This may indicate that you have been overpaying your taxes...
Read MoreWorld Backup Day - March 31, 2023
With so much of our lives spent online, it’s sad to think of losing the important stuff. Pictures of your kids and grandkids; Personal items like cherished emails, texts, and voicemails from loved ones; Or the notes for that book...
Read MoreSpring Cleaning MidWestOne Style
As we turn our calendars to March, we get very springy. The weather starts to show signs, we spring our clocks ahead, we begin our spring cleaning, I begin to call Iowa Baseball games, and of course, spring break! But what...
Read MoreSpringing ahead takes on a whole new meaning
It's about time to Spring Forward!Daylight Saving time is about to begin. This practice of turning the clocks ahead one hour is meant to extend daylight in the evening hours. What if you applied the same principle to your finances?Can...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: FOMC Says Inflation is Still Too High
Concerns over a firmer monetary policy were heightened by fresh economic data, touching off a climb in bond yields and a slide in stock prices last week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average skidded 2.99%, while the Standard & Poor’s...
Read MoreCelebrating Black History Month - 2023
The history of the United States is a tapestry embroidered with many cultures. One of the most vivid and complicated historical threads is those belonging to Black Americans. The accomplishments of many individuals, named and unnamed,...
Read MoreOpportunities in 2023
Whether you’re one to set ambitious New Year’s resolutions or simply use the beginning of the year to reset on a few habits, there’s almost always some value in reflecting on the past year before looking ahead. The...
Read MoreIdentity Theft Awareness Week
Last week was Identity Theft Awareness Week. Anytime is a good time to tighten up your identity security, but if you haven’t been as careful as you intended, consider this your annual reminder. Here are a few best practices to...
Read MoreTax Form Mailings
Below please find the updated mailing schedule for your 1099 Consolidated tax form from LPL Financial. LPL mails 1099 Consolidated forms weekly to account for various deadlines and income variations so that your tax information is...
Read MoreSocial Security: The 64,000 Dollar Question
One of the most common questions people ask about Social Security is when they should start taking benefits.This is the $64,000 question. Making the right decision for you can have a meaningful impact on your financial income in...
Read MorePreparing for Winter
For many of us, the holiday season of 2022 came with a last-minute change of plans, mostly due to the extreme cold and hazardous weather conditions. There were parties cancelled, travels rushed or delayed, or cancelled altogether....
Read MoreSECURE Act 2.0 Passed in Final Days of 2022
Top 10 ProvisionsCongress spent the final days of 2022 on new reforms designed to help Americans save more for retirement.You may hear the changes called SECURE Act 2.0, which is a follow-up to the Setting Every Community Up for...
Read MoreNew Retirement Contribution Limits for 2023
The Internal Revenue Service has released new limits for the new year.
Read MoreDiscussing Finances Over the Holidays
The holiday season is upon us; from story time with sorely missed grandchildren to laughter with friends and family over long-cherished memories, there's little doubt that "the most wonderful time of the year" has arrived.For most...
Read MoreTax Loss Harvesting
We just finished up another year of harvesting crops here in Iowa. As we head into the end of the year, investors should think about harvesting their portfolio.There is an old saying, it’s not what you earn but what...
Read MoreLPL Research helps you navigate the economy and markets in 2023
Through all the challenges, newfound opportunities, and every high and low we’ve experienced during the last couple ofyears, it’s no surprise why we might be striving for more balance. Whether it’s about the markets...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Fed Talks Turkey on Lower Rates, Boosting Markets
Growing optimism that the Fed may be ready to ease future interest rate hikes sent stocks higher in a quiet trading week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.78%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 added 1.53%. The Nasdaq...
Read MoreNew Retirement Contribution Limits for 2023
The Internal Revenue Service has released new limits for the coming year. After months of high inflation and financial uncertainty, some of these cost-of-living-based adjustments have reached near-record levels.Individual Retirement...
Read MoreLooking Ahead
October is now behind us and it has delivered on its track record as a historically favorable month for stocks, offering some respite for investors as major equity indices rose for the month. The downside pressure on equities had...
Read MoreAssess Life Insurance Needs
Assess Life Insurance NeedsIf your family relies on your income, it’s critical to consider having enough life insurance to provide for them after you pass away. But too often, life insurance is an overlooked aspect of personal...
Read MoreHave a Hopeful Halloween
Lately, "inflation" seems to be the media's favorite word. Everywhere you turn, there's another story about the impact of inflation. For example, many news outlets have reported that confectionary prices have surged over 30% from last...
Read MoreCould the Worst be Behind Us?
First, we want to acknowledge the tremendous damage and displacement caused by Hurricane Ian. Our thoughts are with those impacted by this devastating storm. This has clearly been a challenging year for households. Stocks and...
Read MoreConstant Change
Now that we are slowly coming out of the COVID pandemic we can look back and acknowledge some changes we have all made as a result. Many have chosen to retire completely, changed jobs to something that allows them to work full...
Read MoreImportant Details on Student Loan Relief
The White House recently forgave up to $10,000 to student loan borrowers as part of a larger debt forgiveness program. There are still quite a few questions to be answered, but here are some key points to know.Pell vs. non-Pell: Loan...
Read More'Smart Money' on Interest Rates
Have you ever heard the expression, "What's the smart money doing?""Smart money" is an expression that often refers to experts and suggests that well-informed people have a better perspective on current events and what actions to take....
Read MoreEvolution of the Game
I was finishing my golf season with a college buddy at a member-guest. We came up a little short, but it was a fun way to wrap up my competitive golf season...
Read MoreRecession or Growth Scare? Your Guide
I’m hearing a lot of mixed messages these days about the economy. Some headlines say we’re already in a recession; some say one is looming. Others hint that we’ll avoid a recession and have a soft landing. It makes...
Read MoreFeeling Loss
So often my conversations surround the potential of principal loss when it comes to investing. Rightfully so, there is no shortage of examples and studies around human beings feeling loss twice as much as the joy of gain. I don't see...
Read MoreAn Everything Bagel of Good News
These days, an encouraging word can feel like a relief. Here are a few positive stories I’ve noticed lately – like an “everything bagel” sprinkled with good news.I saw a recent report in The Guardian about the...
Read More3 Tips for the Second Half of 2022
With half the year behind us, now is a great time to consider what the remainder of 2022 may hold. However, with inflation and economic uncertainty causing many of us to delay or cancel vacations, large purchases, and more, it can be...
Read MoreHow will you pay for college tuition?
Remember when a college education was reasonably priced? In the past 20 years, the cost of college tuition for public universities has risen 165%. College students and their families have been taking on more and more debt, and they are...
Read MoreBoomers' Post-Pandemic Retirement Concerns
A survey of Baby Boomers found that due to the pandemic, 52% of those who are not yet retired are concerned about being able to retire.
Read MoreKeeping it Simple - The Value of Simplifying Your Investment Strategies
Consolidating and simplifying your portfolio may help you keep track of assets and stay on top of your portfolio's results more easily. Complex investments may cause you to make a mistake—and some errors might be costly.
Read MoreUnderstanding the Net Investment Income Tax
If your income hits a certain level, you may face an additional wrinkle in calculating your taxes: the net investment income tax.
Read More4 Charitable Giving Strategies to Consider
Through charitable giving, you can support causes you believe in and lock in tax benefits simultaneously. The giving methods you choose, what you give, and when you give can help you maximize your impact and minimize your tax burden.
Read MoreESG Investing: The New Frontier for Environmentally-Conscious Investors
ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investing uses the same principles as socially responsible investing. However, ESG screening takes it one step further by selecting measurable ESG factors of each company.
Read MoreAcquaint Grown Children with Your Financial Affairs
As your children grow older, it's important to share key financial, medical, and estate planning information with them. Awareness of this information can help you be confident that your affairs will be managed if needed.
Read More7 Retirement Considerations - Thoughts from a financial professional
When it comes to retirement planning, financial professionals find that the same issues come up over and over. Here are seven considerations that every investor should think about when it comes to retirement planning.
Read MoreGrow Old with Me--Live (Almost) Tax-Free
What will you look for as you approach your "golden" years? Sunshine and the beach at your feet, or colder climates with your favorite cross-country skiing course outside your door? An affordable condo on the golf course with room for...
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