December 3, 2024

Download – Important Numbers 2025

2025 Important Planning Numbers Download There are lots of important numbers that we work with in financial, tax, and retirement planning.  At the same time, there are many core numbers our clients ask us about and need to keep in mind. In some cases, those numbers change each year. Other […]
October 16, 2024

Medicare Plan Update 2025

Medicare 2025 – Key Changes and Demographics Today is the beginning of the 2025 open enrollment for Medicare. In response, I share a recent article from the Wall Street Journal. The article is noteworthy as it reveals new challenges tied to the annual contracting process for Medicare Advantage (MA) programs. […]
October 10, 2024

Download – REIT Masterclass

The MasterClass on Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) was taught October 7, 2024 at the Magrath Library, UofM St. Paul campus. The focus on REITs is part of an ongoing series of classes on retirement planning that looks at the building blocks for income generation. For example, a REIT is […]
March 28, 2024

Download – Bond Market Masterclass

The Bond Market MasterClass was taught March 27, 2024 at the Magrath Library, UofM St. Paul campus. The Bond Market MasterClass navigates the intricate world of fixed income markets. The bond market can be daunting since there are so many different kinds of fixed income securities.  The course reviewed each […]
February 1, 2024

Download – Decrypting Crypto

‘Decrypting Crypto’ was a course sponsored by the U0fM OLLI center. I was one of three teachers invited to present.  The course was taught February 1 and 8, 2024. My role was to compare digital currencies to other mediums of exchange and stores of value.  I presented the basic steps […]
December 6, 2023

S&P 500 Earnings Forecasts – 4Q.2023

S&P 500 Earnings Forecasts – 4Q.2023 Prelude to Earnings Season The S&P 500 index saw year-on-year earnings growth for 4.8% in the third quarter.  It’s now time to consolidate net income forecasts by company for the fourth quarter to see earnings growth estimates for the large-cap index and its eleven […]
October 23, 2023

ETF Fund Flows: October 20, 2023

ETF Fund Flows – October 20, 2023 ETF fund flows define the net dollar inflows and outflows for exchange traded funds over predefined periods.  Fund flows are useful to identify market trends.  The data broadly reveals the rotations investors make as they shift their funds across different assets, market sectors, […]
September 8, 2023

7 Signs It’s Time To Hire a Financial Advisor

7 Signs Its Time to Hire A Financial Advisor People often wonder if now is the right time for them to hire a financial advisor. And if not now, then when? While almost anyone could benefit from working with a financial advisor, there are certain times in life where it […]
August 28, 2023

New Law Impacts the 401k Catch-Up Rule

Last week, the IRS announced new changes to the 401k catch-up rule.  Previously, the IRS required  high-earners to place their catch-up savings in Roth  accounts with no immediate tax benefit.  The new rule allows savers age 50 and older to make catch-up contributions to pre-tax accounts for two more years.  […]
August 14, 2023

How to Make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from an IRA

How to Make a Qualified Charitable Distribution from an IRA Introduction to QCDs A qualified charitable distribution (QCD) is an allocation from an individual retirement account (IRA) to a qualifying charity.  Internal Revenue Code Section 408(d)(8) contains the guidelines for doing a QCD. This article summarizes the rules in simple […]