Finance

Women and the Changing Financial Landscape

2024-03-21T15:45:06+00:00

Feb 29 Wealth transfers from one generation to the next don’t usually make the news, but everything about the baby boomers has always been newsworthy because of the sheer size of this mid-20th-century generation. The unique circumstances they were born into included societal change and financial opportunities to build wealth through better jobs, pensions, a [...]

Women and the Changing Financial Landscape2024-03-21T15:45:06+00:00

529 Plans and SECURE 2.0: More Flexibility

2024-03-21T15:37:14+00:00

Mar 19 The cost of college has skyrocketed, and it raises the question of whether the cost/benefit assumptions of a college education should be revisited. The Federal Reserve did just that, with a web feature called “The Labor Market for Recent College Graduates.” This is an interactive, consistently updated series of charts that look at [...]

529 Plans and SECURE 2.0: More Flexibility2024-03-21T15:37:14+00:00

January Market Commentary: Is Rate Relief In Sight?

2024-01-11T20:11:08+00:00

Jan 08 December Recap and January Outlook   The drama around the timing of the Federal Reserve’s first cuts to the key short-term interest rate continued in last few weeks of the old year and into the first week of the new year. Two months of slowing labor market data, coupled with a change to [...]

January Market Commentary: Is Rate Relief In Sight?2024-01-11T20:11:08+00:00

Planning for Taxes 2024: Inflation Edition

2023-12-21T16:51:57+00:00

Nov 30 The inflation rate has come down from the forty-year highs we saw in 2022, but it is still elevated. While we are seeing relief on prices, there are some positive impacts of higher inflation. The IRS sets tax brackets, tax deductions, 401(k), and other tax-efficient retirement savings account contribution amounts by pegging them [...]

Planning for Taxes 2024: Inflation Edition2023-12-21T16:51:57+00:00

December Market Commentary Rates: Lower and Sooner?

2023-12-08T17:17:21+00:00

Dec 07 November Recap and December Outlook   After a year in which Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell managed to hold everyone’s attention – again – here we are waiting for the outcome of the last FOMC meeting of the year. A few weeks ago, with the narrative of rates being higher for longer taking [...]

December Market Commentary Rates: Lower and Sooner?2023-12-08T17:17:21+00:00

Are You Confident About Your Financial Future?

2023-11-22T17:27:03+00:00

Oct 31 Northwestern Mutual’s annual Planning and Progress Study is out, and the results this year are very interesting. The study examines U.S. adults by generation to understand attitudes and behaviors toward money, financial decision-making, and financial security. Given the volatility of the last year, the results reflect more uncertainty. But they also indicate that [...]

Are You Confident About Your Financial Future?2023-11-22T17:27:03+00:00

November Market Commentary Powell on Rate Cuts: Nope.

2023-11-09T21:14:11+00:00

Nov 06 October Recap and November Outlook The Federal Reserve’s November meeting went as the market expected: no change in rates. What wasn’t expected was the October and early November rollercoaster of bond yields. And by rollercoaster, think Kingda Ka. The ten-year U.S. Treasury yield was briefly above 5.00% during the month. The last time [...]

November Market Commentary Powell on Rate Cuts: Nope.2023-11-09T21:14:11+00:00

Should You Max Out Your 401(k) Contributions?

2023-10-31T20:21:45+00:00

Sep 27 Saving for retirement in a 401(k) is one of the most effective ways to build up a nest egg. But with the maximum contribution limit at a considerable $22,500 for those under 50 and $30,000 for savers age 50 or older, should you be maxing it out? If you are saving in a [...]

Should You Max Out Your 401(k) Contributions?2023-10-31T20:21:45+00:00

October Market Commentary: A New Era for the Economy Creates Uncertainty

2023-10-11T21:56:22+00:00

Oct 05   September Recap and October Outlook The outcome of the Fed’s meeting in September was to hold rates at the current level. It has been described as a “hawkish pause,” and the Fed was clear in post-meeting remarks and statements that one more increase is still possible in 2023. Regarding the impact on [...]

October Market Commentary: A New Era for the Economy Creates Uncertainty2023-10-11T21:56:22+00:00

Helping Your Kids Without Risking Your Retirement

2023-10-02T14:44:56+00:00

Sep 25 Helping your kids get a good start in life is a priority for many parents, and it often extends well past childhood and into adulthood. Alleviating some of the financial burden while they are getting careers going or providing housing or other forms of support has become not just normal but necessary. But [...]

Helping Your Kids Without Risking Your Retirement2023-10-02T14:44:56+00:00

Contact Info

131 S. Water Street
Liberty, Missouri 64068

Phone: 816.429.6743

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