Financial Symmetry: Balancing Today with Retirement

This week, Mike and Chad take a look at the best financial gifts you can give a graduating high school or college student. 

Think about the last time you felt something surprised you.  If it was a pleasant surprise, the event likely exceeded expectations.  Then there's the surprises that catch us off guard. A great example occurs around tax time each year as many people are surprised when they owe a large tax bill. It's tough to find anyone that would describe  that as a positive feeling . If it stops at feelings, bad...

Young advisors often have more passion, technical knowledge and a longer runway than older financial advisors. If we look like we could be your son or daughter, then you are likely on the right track to finding a financial advisor to form a relationship with. While we may look young, that doesn't mean we are inexperienced or harder to relate to. Let me explain: We entered the financial planning pr...

I'm not sure about you, but we haven't met many people that wouldn't love to lower their tax payments. As we move in to the heart of tax season, do you find yourself wondering every year around this time, what other opportunities you may be missing? Millions of people who file their tax return themselves overlook tax opportunities each year that could save them extra money in April but they hesita...

Do you have a mapped-out plan for your future?  Do you know the best steps to take to achieve your goals?  In a world in which  75% of America is winging it  when it comes to their financial future, a holistic financial plan will set you ahead of the crowd.  Having a dynamic and workable financial plan helps you look at all aspects of your finances and project what things will look like on your cu...

What if you could save an additional $1,500 each year? After 30 years you would have $119,000, assuming the money was invested and you got a 6% return. That $1,500 each year — just $125 a month — can add up to quite a bit of money. Of course, to save more money each month you likely need to cut your spending. But if you are like most people, you probably don't want to drastically change your lifes...

So many of us get charged up and rattle off an impressive list of goals but then struggle to follow through. The disconnect between creating and accomplishing is where life change gets stuck. Months pass and we realize our lives are no different. Where did progress stop (or never begin)? Often, it's when life's curveballs throw us off our game. Even though we know the surprises will come, we're no...

As we've done in years past, we compiled our view of the top 10 economic stories from 2015, and what these stories may mean for 2016.  You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://wp.me/p6NrVS-2uI

Is paying a fee for a financial advisor worth it? According to Vanguard, the leader in do-it-yourself (DIY) investing, they believe a financial advisor can add approximately three percentage points to a client's investment returns per year.  The study (link here) found five separate ways (below) advisors add value (alpha) in working with their clients. You can find show notes and more information...

It's the question we hear most often: "Am I saving enough for retirement?" "How do you think we're doing for people our age?  These are good questions. People want to know how they measure up. They hope to hear, they are doing better than most. In their minds, this means things are moving in the right direction. But " keeping up with the Joneses " has never been a bankable strategy. So we need to ...