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 …
Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) Reporting Requirements for LLCs and Corporations
The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), which went into effect on January 1, 2024, requires new reporting obligations on limited liability companies (LLCs), corporations, and other similar entities. The stated reason of the CTA is to combat illicit activities such as money laundering and tax …
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.
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
MorePreparing Confidently: Organizing Your Information for Loved Ones
None of us like to think about the end of our lives, but planning ahead is one of the most meaningful gifts we can leave behind. When we pass, our loved ones are often left not only with grief but also with the overwhelming task of sorting through our affairs. By organizing our personal, fi …
How 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.
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
MoreHow to Find Your Financial Freedom: A Guide for Every Stage of Life
Financial freedom is more than just a buzzword—it is the ability to live life on your own terms, free from constant financial stress. If you dream of an early retirement, world travel, or simply want confidence about your future, pursuing financial freedom is possible with the right mindset …
Compounding 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.
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
More3 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.
10 Common Estate Planning Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
Estate planning and end of life planning are about taking control of your situation. Death and long-term care later in life might be hard to fathom right now, but we can’t put off planning out of fear of the unknown or because it’s unpleasant. Don’t wait for life to happen to you, though.
4 Ways To Improve Your Estate Plan
Most people want to plan for a good life and a good retirement, so why not plan for a good end of life, too? Let’s look at four ways you can refine your estate plan, protect your assets and create a level of control and certainty for your loved ones.