Would you like to have more money? Of course, you would! So where do you start? Well, you could ask your neighbor, your boss, your grandma for some money-saving, wealth-growing ideas but they’re likely to be along these lines: Establish a budget and stick to it, max out your 401(k) contributions, steer clear of high-interest debt like credit cards. And then there is the wealth-building tip you’d get if you asked your financial advisor: Work with a comprehensive wealth manager. […]

If we asked a hundred people on the street to tell us about wealth management and investment management, and the difference between the two, you can bet that well over half of them would respond, “Aren’t they basically the same thing?” But as financial professionals, we know that they are not. And if you have a job, a family or money, or if you plan to retire someday – so basically, everyone – you should also know the difference, as […]

October isn’t just about who the Chicago Bears are playing Sunday or the season of spook and pumpkin spice – it’s also National Financial Planning Month! Whether you want to eliminate debt, budget more wisely, or invest in your future, building a financial plan is a great place to start. And with the power of comprehensive wealth management on your side, positioning yourself for lifelong success is simple. What is Financial Planning? When you think of financial planning, budgeting or […]

Comprehensive Wealth Management is considered the king of financial advising services and is built of key components aimed to build wealth for your life. At first glance into the world of wealth management, it is easy to assume that the focus is only investments – trading stocks and bonds. But these are not the only key components made up of effective wealth management. Other components include an advisor who will aid you in creating a solid financial plan encompassing tax […]

In this limited space, it would not be possible to convey all you need to know about retirement planning. But I can show you a new way to look at retirement saving, income and return on investments. To get us going, here’s a money-math question. If your portfolio lost 25% in a down market, what percentage must it gain to recoup that loss? The obvious answer is 25% but is that correct? Nope! As you can see in the below […]

If you leave an employer before reaching retirement age, should you (or can you) take your retirement accounts/benefits with you? That’s a question with major consequences. Your options depend on the type of plan you are in. There are two basic plan categories: defined benefit and defined contribution. “Defined Benefit” Plan A defined benefit plan defines your retirement income based on your salary, years of service, etc. Those are unusual outside of government service and a few major corporations. If […]

Creating an investment plan to get you to your long-term financial goals is an important step in your financial journey. But how can you get started building the investment plan that works for your goals, situation, and lifestyle? There are four critical questions you need to ask yourself to create your own custom investment plan – let’s learn more.   For more information about investing, download our complimentary resource: 4 Unintentional Investing Mind Tricks.   1. What is my goal? […]

A buy-and-hold investment plan is easier in theory than in practice because goals and needs shift as different life stages begin. A perfectly balanced budget could be smashed to pieces by the birth of a child or an unexpected illness, so a financial plan and corresponding investing plan need to be malleable. No one will have completely smooth spending over their lifetime, but if you can balance borrowing and saving, along with your risk tolerance and time horizon, you’ll have […]

Finding an investment strategy that is right for you and your investment plan can be difficult. There are many variables you will want to pay attention to. And the investment strategy that is best for someone else you know might not necessarily be compatible with your goals and constraints. As you determine what strategy is best for you, it’s important to consider what you hope to achieve. Are you focused on short-term growth? Are you trying to build a retirement […]