Market Commentary: Stocks Still in a Sweet Spot Despite Modest Declines

Stocks Still in a Sweet Spot The S&P 500 was down for the second consecutive week last week, but even combined declines were modest at just -0.3%. A pause is normal and even healthy for a bull market. In addition, several signs continue to indicate an overall healthy market. Year-to-dat …

16 Charts (and Tables) to Know This Election Year

“Americans will always do the right thing – after they’ve tried everything else.” -Winston Churchill With Super Tuesday now in the books, the fact that we have a presidential election coming this November is getting very real. Although we aren’t going to predict who will be our next preside …

Facts Vs Feelings Take 5 – Two Keys to the Economy

We’re still seeing positive signs related to inflation and productivity. Can investors remain optimistic on these two fronts? Hear what Carson Group’s Chief Market Strategist Ryan Detrick and VP, Global Macro Strategist Sonu Varghese have to say. Highlights include:   Inflation has been hol …

Your Money

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Tax Planning for the Start of a New Year

Tax season is upon us, but you can start 2024 off on the right foot with tax planning tips and strategies presented by Mike Valenti, Director, Tax Planning and Tom Fridrich, Carson Group Manager & Sr. Wealth Planner in our Tax Planning for the Start of a New Year webinar, now available …

Breaking Down FAFSA Updates

by Ethan Brouwer, NSSA®, Associate Wealth Advisor If you went to college, have had a child go through college, or have one currently enrolled, you likely know what the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is. It’s also likely you aren’t too fond of it. You may have felt like the …

Tax Law Changes that Could Affect Your Return This Tax Season

By Mike Valenti, CPA, CFP®, Director of Tax Planning It’s that time of year again! W-2s, 1099s and mortgage statements have been to hit your mailbox: a daily reminder that it is, once again, Tax Season.

2024 Calendar: Key Tasks & Financial Dates

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 key deadlines.

Your Business

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Life Insurance for Business and Estate Planning

By Matt Lewis, CLTC, Vice President, Insurance Life insurance is designed to provide for your loved ones after your death, giving you peace of mind that their financial needs will be met without your income. But life insurance can benefit your financial planning in many other ways.

Building Your Ideal Business Succession Plan

By Odaro Aisueni, CFP®, Wealth Planning Administrator As a small business owner, you’re likely so immersed in the routine functions of your business that you haven’t yet put much thought into the day you leave it behind. In fact, most small business owners have so much purpose t …

5 Common Business Exit Planning Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

By Elizabeth Schanou, JD, CExPTM , Senior Wealth Planner  Succession planning – or more accurately “business exit planning” – is a critical process that has weighty implications for small business owners. There are two key goals: You want to ensure a seamless transition that will pres …

Business Succession Planning Checklist

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

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4 Moves You Can Make with Your Old 401(k)

By Matt Kory, Vice President, Retirement Programs   Changing careers is an emotional move – there’s excitement for the new opportunity, sadness about leaving your favorite coworkers behind, depression if you weren’t ready to leave, worry about how to financially bridge the unemployment …

Your Retirement Planning Starter Pack

Although there are some basic guidelines, your financial life is as unique as your fingerprint. Your lifestyle, goals, family situation, risk tolerance and even your wildest dreams will give a unique signature to your portfolio. Let’s look at a few of the starting points today for a healthy …

Yes, You Can Make a Solid Long-Term Care Plan: Here’s How and Why It’s Important

By Matt Lewis, CLTC®, Vice President, Insurance In today’s world it’s fair to say that most reasonable people believe they are going to live a long life. And when you live a long life, it’s also fair to say that sooner or later, we’re going to need some form of care.

7 Important Retirement Savings Topics for 2023

7 Important Retirement Savings Topics for 2023

See the topics that are important to keep in mind as you navigate the various individual and employer-sponsored plans that may be available to you.

Your Legacy

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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 …

Your New Year’s Financial Planning Resolutions

Watch our on-demand webinar, “Your New Year’s Financial Planning Resolutions” with Carson Group’s Retirement Plan Advisor Chris Tooker and Senior Wealth Planner Mark Petersen.  

Why You Need a Plan: Strategies for Medicare and Long-Term Care Planning

Watch our on-demand webinar, “Why You Need a Plan: Strategies for Medicare and Long-Term Care Planning” featuring Carson Group’s Vice President, Insurance Matt Lewis and Manager & Senior Wealth Planner Tom Fridrich. 

A Guide to Gifting to Your Heirs

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

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Unveiling the Path to True Wealth: A Guide to Starting the Year Strong

Luke LaRock, NSSA®, Associate Wealth Advisor   As we cross the threshold into a new year, it’s natural to reflect on our aspirations and set goals for the future. While financial success can be a crucial aspect of our well-being, the journey toward True Wealth encompasses more th …

Embracing Learning Moments: A Positive Approach to Personal Growth

By Luke LaRock, NSSA®, Associate Wealth Advisor Throughout our lives we often encounter moments that challenge our knowledge, skills, and abilities. We’ve all had those moments that leave us feeling inadequate, unworthy, or embarrassed. These moments aren’t meant to be stumbling blocks but …

7 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 …

When Shifting Goals Mean Shifting Plans

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

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Market Commentary: Stocks Still in a Sweet Spot Despite Modest Declines

Stocks Still in a Sweet Spot The S&P 500 was down for the second consecutive week last week, but even combined declines were modest at just -0.3%. A pause is normal and even healthy for a bull market. In addition, several signs continue to indicate an overall healthy market. Year-to-dat …

16 Charts (and Tables) to Know This Election Year

“Americans will always do the right thing – after they’ve tried everything else.” -Winston Churchill With Super Tuesday now in the books, the fact that we have a presidential election coming this November is getting very real. Although we aren’t going to predict who will be our next preside …

Facts Vs Feelings Take 5 – Two Keys to the Economy

We’re still seeing positive signs related to inflation and productivity. Can investors remain optimistic on these two fronts? Hear what Carson Group’s Chief Market Strategist Ryan Detrick and VP, Global Macro Strategist Sonu Varghese have to say. Highlights include:   Inflation has been hol …

2023 Market Outlook Report

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.

Video Insights

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Biggest Mistake

  Nik Aamlid, CFP®, CAP®, Wealth Advisor, shares the biggest financial mistake he’s seen people make and how to avoid it for yourself. Regardless of where you’re at in your personal financial planning journey, our team can help. The Pinnacle Wealth team is driven by service and a desir …

Will Vs. Trust

  Part of a comprehensive financial plan is having a specific plan in place for what happens to your assets after someone passes. While you might be familiar with the terms ‘will’ and ‘trust’ – do you know the difference? Nik Aamlid, CFP®, CAP®, Wealth Advisor, talks about the pr …

First Three Steps of Financial Planning

There are seven steps to the financial planning process and we’re breaking them down for you because all seven are equally important and you need all seven to provide a comprehensive plan. Nik Aamlid, CFP®, CAP®, Wealth Advisor, breaks down the first three steps in the process and why havin …

In the News

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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.

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.