Steve Booren in front of a dry erase board
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The Difference Between Financial and Investment Advice

With the advent of technology, real financial advice will be a huge differentiator in the financial services industry. Anyone can create a portfolio, asset allocation or investment strategy. We are even told robots can do this with this concept called “Robo-Advisor”. What most people actually need is advice about how their investments fit into their overall financial plan, and more importantly their life. Believe me – robots cannot do this, nor do investment products do this. It takes an experienced, skilled, listening Advisor. Both investment management and financial advice are necessary components for long-term success, but it’s important to understand the differences. So let's compare and contrast the two.
The $58,000 latte habit

The $58,000 Latte Habit

Creating a habit of saving is hard, really hard. It requires discipline and few people enjoy discipline. But your daily disciplines (or lack thereof) can have a profound impact on your future. Consider the daily latte. The average medium latte at Starbucks costs $3.65 assuming you don’t “doctor” it up with extra flavors, different milks, etc. That cost is pre-tax. We know that $3.65 can add up, but what does it add up to? Let’s look at some simple math behind a lattehabit. The chart below illustrates the future value of that cup of coffee, depending on your consumption.
Steve Booren
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Meet Bob, The World’s Worst Market Timer

Did you invest some money on Jan. 26th? Do you ever feel “the curse” of investing at exactly the wrong point? Like your investing is too late, at the wrong time, or maybe that you’re just unlucky? Well meet Bob – the World’s Worst Market Timer.
Dave Anderson

The U.S. Economy & Markets

I am an optimist by nature. I feel this optimism is not pie-in-the-sky wishful thinking, but rather a view to the future that is based on a sound historical tract record and the economic progress we see across the globe. Because of this optimistic view toward our economy, I am also an optimist regarding our capital markets.
Two people playing a chess game

Social Security & Medicare Webinar

The right move can make a huge difference in your Social Security and Medicare benefits. If you're 60-65 and approaching retirement, you need to see this. Watch Tim Lenz speak on Social Security, followed by Dave Suplinski on Medicare.
Road through a field of yellow grain

It’s Just the Road

In the last few days stocks have taken a beating.  Volatility has finally returned after a near two year hiatus.  Friday February 2nd saw the largest single one day drop in the Dow Jones Industrial Average history.  The following Monday (Feb.…
stairs and an escalator

What is “Normal”?

Over the last ten days the stock market has experienced higher levels of volatility than we’ve seen in some time. The result has been many headlines highlighting the downfall of a strong market. It’s left many people wondering if this is…
Capitol Building

2018 Tax Reform

Now that the ink has dried on tax reform, join us for an updated presentation with Jay K. Dahl, CPA. He'll cover the unexpected items that did and did not make it into the final legislation.
Pencil shavings on a notebook

Think $1M is Enough for Retirement? Think Again.

Remember when $1 million was a target goal on which to retire? Today, even that may not enough – especially for Baby Boomers getting ready to retire - and the situation is even worse for Gen Xers and Millennials.
Outlook 2018 from LPL research

Outlook 2018: Return of the Business Cycle

The LPL Research team proudly presents Outlook 2018: Return of the Business Cycle, highlighting the opportunities and potential challenges that may lie ahead for market participants as we get back to the traditional drivers that we’d expect to push the economy and markets forward. Instead of relying on central bank intervention and accommodative monetary policy, we’re turning to some new lead characters to take charge, namely fiscal policy and better business fundamentals. The supporting roles of this new environment will also be key to sustaining economic growth and delivering stock gains.
Tennis shoes and a kettle bell

Are You Fiscally Fit for 2018?

Are you ready to become “fiscally fit” for 2018? We want to help you work toward making this a successful and prosperous year, so we updated our checklist with pointers for getting a head start on the new year.
Three plants illustrating growth

5 Tips to Help You Pursue Growth of Your Retirement Funds

How can you pursue growth of your retirement funds? We have five tips on how a dividend growth strategy that focuses on “blue chip” companies with a history of paying dividends may offer benefits when compared to a traditional investment…
Steve Booren
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2017 In Review

At the end of every year I enjoy taking a look back. As you probably know, I’m a big believer in perspective and investing for the long term. And though our ability to look forward in time is still a work in progress, our ability to look back and gain some perspective is always valuable. So as we wrap up 2017, I want to take a look back at some of the major events that defined the year.
Pat Alfano

How Dividend-Paying Stocks Are Like Tenants

In real estate, people tend to invest for rental income today and the possibility for more an increased price tomorrow. But in the stock market, I've found that many investors focus on price and ignore the long-term potential of dividends. They're taught to buy low and sell high—and they forget about the income opportunity between those two points.
Growing Old Will Your Money Keep Up?

Living to 85? Will Your Money Keep Up?

Did you know there’s an 80% chance that a 60-year-old couple will have at least one spouse reach the age of 90? And about 1-in-10 adults will live past age 95, according to the Social Security Administration. That’s a problem for most investors. Few retirement plans account for such a long period (sometimes more than 30 years!) of time. So the typical question becomes: what’s going to last longer, you or your money?