Blog

As we get ready to turn the page on 2023 and welcome the new year with all its possibilities, we’d like to take some time to reflect on the year that was—the notable events, trends, and developments that defined our...

'Tis the season for giving!December is a time that many Americans celebrate Holidays such as Christmas or Hanukkah. Some of these Holidays have a special focus on giving. What a great time a year to consider charitable gifts! If...

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or any other form of dementia, this can be an extremely challenging time. While promising new treatments are developing and research continues, a cure remains elusive....

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....

November, the month of Thanksgiving, is a time when many people decide to take a look at and appreciate what they already have. What do you have, in terms of assets?Real Estate? Automobiles? Insurance Policies? Savings? Those...

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...

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...

What are you scared of? As kids, many of us were scared of the dark. Things that went "bump" in the night. Here's something that can be scary for adults: Credit card interest rates. Did you know that, often, the...

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...

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,...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Money Tips for Parents Sending Children Off to College

John D. Evans, AIF®

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...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Spring Cleaning MidWestOne Style

John D. Evans, AIF®

Friday, March 10, 2023

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Preparing for Winter

Mary Beth Hines

Tuesday, January 17, 2023

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....

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...

The Internal Revenue Service has released new limits for the new year.

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...

Tax Loss Harvesting

Mike Roozeboom

Monday, December 12, 2022

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Constant Change

Carol Sutterfield, CRPS

Monday, October 10, 2022

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...

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...

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....

Evolution of the Game

John D. Evans, AIF®

Monday, September 19, 2022

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...

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...

Feeling Loss

Jason Strandberg

Thursday, August 18, 2022

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...

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...

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...

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...

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.

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.

If your income hits a certain level, you may face an additional wrinkle in calculating your taxes: the net investment income tax.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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...