Navigating the Course of Retirement Planning
Category: Financial Planning
Like in golf, planning for retirement is a game that requires strategy, focus, and a bit of finesse.
The Advantages of 529 Plan Educational Funding
Category: Financial Planning
A common financial goal of young families is funding their children’s future education expenses. In this blog we address many of the "what-if's" that clients are asking.
Planning for Future Healthcare Expenses
Category: Financial Planning
"What is worth insuring?" The answer almost always boils down to how much you'll have to pay to insure the thing you don't want to lose -- whether it's your mustache, your fantasy football player, your home or your health.
Are You Approaching Retirement? It’s Time to Get Your Financial Health in Order.
Category: Financial Planning
Planning for retirement can be one of the most daunting financial stages of life because there are so many competing priorities to manage and responsibilities to juggle. Read on for some tips to help you manage it all.
Webinar: Time to Go From Saving to Spending
Category: Financial Planning
You've spent decades saving for retirement. But actually using those assets takes a different mindset. In this complimentary webinar, you'll learn how to make the transition easier.
Equity Compensation: What You Need to Know
Category: Financial Planning
The proper use and management of equity compensation are significant components of a healthy financial picture for corporate leaders. Let’s take a closer look at three types of equity compensation.
5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Meeting with An Estate Planning Attorney
Category: Financial Planning
Estate planning is an essential component of your financial plan because it can help secure your family’s future, minimize estate taxes, and protect assets from going through probate. Here are five questions you should think about before meeting with an Estate Planning Attorney.
Give. Laugh. Love.
Category: Financial Planning
Legacy is a strange topic. We all think about it, but it means something different to everybody. How do you want to be remembered?
Three Ways to Teach Kids Important Financial Skills
Category: Financial Planning
Whether you’re a business owner or not, here are three ways to start talking about money and building financial skills with your children or grandchildren while they’re young.
2022 Year-End Financial Checklist – Have You Reviewed Your Tax Situation?
Category: Financial Planning
Since we are close to flipping the calendar to 2023, this is a great time to sit down and reflect on the past financial year and anticipate what might be ahead.
Financial Risks That Are Not in the News
Stock market risk is the primary focus of the financial news. The reason is simple. The scarier the headline, the more eyes are attracted to it.
Pay Me Now or Pay Me Later | Financial Perspectives (In a Minute)
While this year has had its share of negative financial news, there might be one opportunity to pay some taxes now in order to save some money on taxes later. This week, Kent Kramer walks us through Roth IRA conversions.
Party of 4 – Estate Planning Basics to Celebrate
Category: Financial Planning
Break out the cake, ice cream, and party hats because it’s time to celebrate National Estate Planning Week!
Three Categories of Risk for Retirement Income
Risks can often feel much different to retirees. The overarching risk for retirees is that something takes place that results in a permanently lower standard of living. Retirement researcher, Wade Pfau, has identified three major categories of risk for one’s income in retirement.
Iowa Income Tax Changes Have an Impact in 2022
Category: Financial Planning
One of the significant changes in the tax reform bill signed by Governor Reynolds on March 1, is the eventual elimination of federal tax deductibility for determining taxable income. Iowa was one of the few remaining states that allowed taxpayers to deduct federal taxes to determine their state income taxes.
Happy 401(k) Day! Yes, It’s a Holiday!
Category: Financial Planning
Happy National 401(k) Day! As we take today to celebrate 401k’s, it’s important to consider the increasing challenges employees in our country face when it comes to retirement readiness.
How to Start Talking with Kids About Money
Category: Financial Planning
A few weeks ago, I talked with our two kids – one a preschooler and the other a kindergartner – about money. Here are some starter topics for you to discuss with your kids.
Selling a Business Is Just as Tough as Owning One
Category: Financial Planning
Owning and operating a business is a tough task. Selling a business is equally difficult. If you’re a business owner, the odds are that you haven’t put together a plan to do this. It doesn’t have to be this way.
Spending That Can Wreck Retirement
Category: Financial Planning
In more than a decade of working with clients, I’ve discovered that one thing tends to do more damage to financial plans than any other.
How Much Life Insurance Protection Is Enough?
Category: Financial Planning
Life insurance is an important component of a financial plan. An early death can create severe hardships for the surviving family if the proper amount of insurance is not in place. The recommended amount of life insurance will vary from family to family depending on a variety of factors.
Preparing Your Heirs for the Great Wealth Transfer
Category: Financial Planning
Over the next 25 years, approximately 45 million U.S. households are primed to pass an estimated $70 trillion in wealth to their heirs. Here are three simple ideas to get you started on a rewarding family governance journey.