Market Commentary: Stocks Make More New Highs as Election Approaches
A Broken Record Tell me if you’ve heard this yet, but the S&P 500 gained last week with more new all-time highs. The S&P 500 has now made a new all-time high this year in all the months that don’t start with an ‘A’ (as in April and August). A total of 47 new all-time …
Facts Vs Feelings Take 5 – Will There Be Any Pre-Election Jitters?
This week on Take 5, Ryan Detrick, Chief Market Strategist at Carson Group, and Sonu Varghese, VP, Global Macro Strategist at Carson Group, discuss key factors such as rising inflation, the surge in small- and mid-cap stocks, and why investors remain calm despite higher CPI and PPI numbers. …
Market Commentary: Bull Market Turns Two
More New Highs for 2024 We might sound like a broken record, but stocks made more new highs last week. The S&P 500 is now up five weeks in a row, something it has done only two other times so far this year, falling during the sixth week each time. In fact, it hasn’t been …
Your Money
More3 Methods to Not Run Out of Money
What’s the #1 fear in retirement? Running out of money. Get our step-by-step guide to help ensure your assets last a lifetime. Download Guide
4 Pitfalls of Not Having a Financial Plan
There are some things in life you just can’t plan for: an unexpected illness, job loss, death of spouse, disability. And while experiencing one of these major events can drastically impact your life, having an effective financial plan can help ensure that it doesn’t ruin your financial well-being.
Mastering Your Finances: A Guide for New College Graduates
Congratulations, recent college graduate! You’ve worked hard to earn your degree, and now you’re ready to embark on the next chapter of your life. This is an exciting time – one filled with lots of changes, like starting a new career and learning how to manage living on your own …
2024 Calendar: Key Tasks & Financial Dates
Tackle 2024 with this month-by-month financial task list. We’ve also included important dates so you won’t miss any key deadlines.
Your Business
MoreLife 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.
From Tax Efficiency to Retirement: Financial Planning for Small Business Owners
Financial planning for a small business gets more complicated every day. Business owners must navigate tax efficiency (and life under the new Tax Cuts and Jobs Act), retirement preparations for yourself and your employees, and succession planning. Get your financial plan in place today and …
8 Financial Planning Tips for Small Business Owners
Running a small business involves juggling multiple responsibilities. Managing the business’s finances is one of the most crucial aspects. Proper financial management can be the difference between a thriving business and one that struggles to stay afloat. Here are eight essential financial …
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
More8 Blunders to Avoid in Retirement
For many retirees, this momentous event creates apprehension and fear. But, it doesn’t have to be that way. With the proper planning strategy, you can move toward your future with certainty and excitement. Download Guide
Getting Ready for Retirement? Take These Essential Steps for a Smooth Transition
Retirement is an exciting milestone—a time to leave behind the hustle and bustle of work and embrace a new chapter filled with more freedom and opportunities to enjoy life. But before you clock out for the last time, it’s essential to make sure you’re fully prepared for this significant lif …
What Medicare Doesn’t Cover (and What You Can Do About It)
Navigating Medicare can sometimes feel like a maze. Understanding what’s covered—and what isn’t — can be tricky. While Medicare does offer a lot of valuable services, it doesn’t cover everything. Let’s discuss some of the most common things Medicare won’t cover and share solutions to help y …
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
MoreChoosing the Right Trustee for Your Estate Plan
One of the most important decisions you’ll make when designing your estate plan is who to name in the various fiduciary roles: trustee, personal representative, executor and agent. While a critical decision, it’s often given significantly less thought than the distribution of your assets. B …
Revocable Living Trusts as part of an Estate Plan
Our latest webinar, Revocable Living Trusts as part of an Estate Plan with Carson Group’s Director, Trust Services Scott Berryman and Manager & Sr. Wealth Planner Tom Fridrich is now available for viewing on-demand.
Estate Planning
Often, people believe that estate planning only benefits the very wealthy, but nothing could be further from the truth. It’s something everyone needs to engage in regardless of age, estate size or marital status. If you have a bank account, investments, a car, home or other property—you hav …
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
More7 Economic Myths Busted
By Ryan Detrick, Chief Market Strategist We’ve been hearing many of the same myths over and over, yet we don’t think they are the big worry that the media and many make them out to be. These are legitimate concerns and have many investors worried, but we think the chances of them becoming l …
Investing in Your Child’s Financial Future: Helping Kids Develop Strong Money Management Skills
Gaining financial literacy at a young age is a vital key to finding financial freedom later in life. Give your kids the lessons they need now to make better decisions about money in the future.
Financial Resolutions to Take Into the New Year
Tom Fridrich, JD, CLU, ChFC®, Senior Wealth Planner Thinking about making some New Year’s resolutions? Add financial wellbeing to your list. It’s a terrific time to identify goals and opportunities that may put you in a better financial position — not only in the upcoming year, …
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
MoreMarket Commentary: Stocks Make More New Highs as Election Approaches
A Broken Record Tell me if you’ve heard this yet, but the S&P 500 gained last week with more new all-time highs. The S&P 500 has now made a new all-time high this year in all the months that don’t start with an ‘A’ (as in April and August). A total of 47 new all-time …
Facts Vs Feelings Take 5 – Will There Be Any Pre-Election Jitters?
This week on Take 5, Ryan Detrick, Chief Market Strategist at Carson Group, and Sonu Varghese, VP, Global Macro Strategist at Carson Group, discuss key factors such as rising inflation, the surge in small- and mid-cap stocks, and why investors remain calm despite higher CPI and PPI numbers. …
Market Commentary: Bull Market Turns Two
More New Highs for 2024 We might sound like a broken record, but stocks made more new highs last week. The S&P 500 is now up five weeks in a row, something it has done only two other times so far this year, falling during the sixth week each time. In fact, it hasn’t been …
2023 Market Outlook Report
Will the bull market continue in 2024? What about a recession? What will the Fed do? We take a deep dive into our outlook for 2024 in Carson Investment Research’s Outlook ‘24: Seeing Eye to Eye.
In the News
MoreCOVID’s Financial Toll Isn’t What You Think
By Erin Wood, Senior Vice President, Financial Planning and Advanced Solutions Just a few years ago, Rose retired with a decent-sized 401(k). With some careful budgeting and a part-time job, her retirement finances were on track. Rose was looking forward to traveling, reigniting her passion …
Emerging Financially Healthy After a Gray Divorce
By: Erin Wood, CFP®, CRPC®, FBS®, Senior Vice President, Financial Planning, Carson Group Laura and Caroline are in their late 50s. Friends since meeting at a playgroup for their toddlers, both were in long-term, seemingly happy marriages.
3 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.