Blog
Lessons Learned: six money matters I learned during the pandemic
Hard to believe, but it has been about a year now since the world changed! With the hard reality of COVID-19, we went into quarantine, where toilet paper became scarce, hand sanitizer became a hot item, and we started masking up. I...
Read MoreConfessions of a Financial Advisor: five truths I've learned over the years
My name is Guy Leman, and I am an owner and financial advisor here at Compass Financial Services. I have been running headlong into the calling of being a financial advisor unofficially for the last 27 years and officially for the last...
Read MoreCredit Card Fraud: how to stop it before it happens
I was home on a Friday afternoon when my cell phone rang from a number I did not recognize. An automated voice announced it was my credit union and they wanted to review some recent credit/debit charges, such as a $500 purchase at an...
Read MoreSpring Clean Your Finances: 4 simple tasks to do right now
When it comes to thinking about your finances, some people feel intimidated by sophisticated or advanced financial topics, jargon, and the array of options available. Have you ever felt this way? If you have, be reminded,...
Read MoreThe Stock Market's Historic Ride Through 2020
4th Quarter Market Commentary by Steve Conard, CFP® On the strength of a massive November rally, the US stock market’s 4th quarter sprint to the finish line capped a truly historic ride in 2020. Continuing the correction that...
Read MoreShow All
Managing Money in Your 50s and 60s: how to finish strong
We’re wrapping up our series of money conversations with the Des Moines Financial Advisors at Compass Financial Services by focusing on money management in your 50s and 60s. Until now, retirement may have seemed like a far-off...
Read MoreWinter is Coming: 5 of the best ways to keep your spirits high
As we wrap up one of the craziest years many of us will *hopefully* ever experience, I can’t help but find myself wondering what winter has in store. Ideally, the worst is behind us, and we can look forward to a bright and maybe...
Read MoreManaging Money in Your 40s: how to prioritize your finances
By the time you reach 40, you’re probably making more money. You may also be spending more money! This stage of life often comes with big expenses, such as second homes, children’s college educations, vacations, vehicles,...
Read More3 Easy Ways to Invest in Yourself and Improve Your Life
Here is a little secret that we all know, but seldom say aloud. Investing in yourself is often the best way to achieve the highest returns on your money and may just be the most profitable investment you ever make. Investing in...
Read MoreThe Impact Of COVID-19 On The Stock Market
3rd Quarter Market Commentary by Steve Conard, CFP® We all agree that 2020 has been weird by any standard, and the financial markets are no exception. Having shed 34% of its value in 33 days as COVID-19 arrived in the US, who would...
Read MoreManaging Money In Your 30s: how to take the next step
Your 30s can be an exciting time with its own set of new challenges. You may be advancing in your career and earning more money. You may be married with an eye on buying a home or having children. The financial decisions you face in...
Read MorePerfect Vision: How to be ready for a year like 2020
What a year it has been. I no longer believe that “2020” is perfect vision, because I don’t think any of us saw this year coming…no matter how good your vision is! It’s definitely been a year packed full...
Read MoreManaging Money In Your 20s: how to get started
You’re a 20-something, earning your first paycheck, and trying to make decisions about all kinds of things. What kind of health insurance plan should you enroll in? How much should you contribute to your 401(k)? How much...
Read MoreThe Savings Balancing Act: what to do with extra cash
I have reached a point in my financial journey where I am starting to get to make decisions on where to put excess cash flow. I have paid off all my high interest debt, and I have some extra cash flow coming in that needs to be put...
Read MoreJob Loss: 6 Steps To Be Stronger On The Other Side
You’ve Lost Your Job. Now What? We’re several months into this pandemic, and some companies are having to make some tough decisions. If you have been impacted by a recent job loss or cut in pay, you are not alone. This is a...
Read MoreU.S. Stock Market's Best Quarter In Over 20 Years
The US stock market has truly resembled a roller coaster ride through the first half of 2020. A flat January preceded a steady climb to new record highs in mid-February in both the Dow Jones...
Read MoreEmotional Expenses
The past few months have been filled with anxiety, stress, and worry. Ever since concerns over COVID-19 seized the country, we’ve found ourselves stuck at home and wondering what happens next? You may have found yourself eating...
Read MoreWhat Is In A Silver Dollar?
A lesson from a farmer boy, lemonade and a pig. I have read aloud to our kids for years now, and in all that reading, we keep coming back to a few classic book series. Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House on the Prairie series is...
Read MoreYoung Investors: Finding Firm Financial Footing During Unsettling Times
The world has changed a lot over the past several weeks. Many of us are feeling uncertain, anxious, and worried about the future. Some have lost jobs and income, others have lost...
Read MoreLessons I Have Learned During the COVID-19 Pandemic
At times it is hard to believe what we have been through the last three months. First there was skepticism that the Coronavirus was actually something to worry about, then there was fear as it started spreading faster, then a...
Read MoreWhat Should You Do With Your Coronavirus Stimulus Check?
Stimulus Checks are Coming About 175 million Americans will receive stimulus checks with the first payments going out over the next couple of weeks. Most will receive $1,200 plus an additional $500 per child. The payments are intended...
Read MoreMarket Commentary April 2020
by Steve Conard, CFP® Coming off a remarkable 2019, the US stock market was perhaps destined to take a breather. After a flat January the equity indices gained momentum, posting fresh all-time highs in mid-February before the floor...
Read MoreThe Aftermath of an Estate
My mother passed away about 3 years ago now, and I’m still spending time working through all of her records and memorabilia. First, let me help you understand the enormity of the situation. My mother was a prolific record-keeper!...
Read MoreHow To Stay Calm During Stock Market Volatility
It’s been a bumpy ride in the markets over the past couple of weeks. Fears over coronavirus and a possible oil price war caused plunges in the Dow Jones Industrial Index and the S&P 500. As I write this, there is talk of how this...
Read MoreStrategies to Save for a Summer Vacation
It’s still winter. The temperature can struggle to climb above freezing, there are piles of snow everywhere, and your kids are crazy from being cooped up inside. Who wouldn’t dream of ditching the dreary day-to-day to go on...
Read MoreAsking for Help Reveals Strength, Not Weakness
Do the laundry, make dinner, pay the bills, pack the kids’ lunches, clean the house, walk the dog, feed the cat, 5:00 soccer practice. . . This is the ‘to-do’ list rattling around in your head, even before your alarm...
Read MoreBe Better With Money in 2020
How’s it going with that New Year’s Resolution to be better with your money? For some, being better with money may mean putting another $100 in the bank every month. For others, it may simply mean skipping the $5 coffee in...
Read MoreThe Best Times to Buy
The start of a new year may bring a new resolve to exercise more, eat healthy, and be better with your money. If you’re considering a big-ticket purchase in 2020, when you buy could save you a significant amount of money! We...
Read MoreMarket Commentary January 2020
The 2019 edition of the financial markets digest is now complete – and what a year it was! US stocks and bonds, global stocks, gold, and commodities (including crude oil) all posted strong gains as Mr. Market rewarded the US...
Read MoreYear End Planning
Hard to believe it, but 2019 is nearly over! A lot has happened over the last year and with the holiday season wrapping up in the next few weeks, you are likely beginning to look ahead to 2020. As you begin to recuperate from the...
Read MoreHow To Budget
It may surprise you to learn that this is the most-Googled money topic in Iowa! The company Student Loan Hero analyzed Google Trends to come up with a list of money topics that people Google the most in each state. Here in Iowa, it...
Read MoreThe Lessons Life Teaches Us
I was involved in an exercise recently where each person mapped out their history and explored the defining moments in their life. We organized all of these moments on our own personal timeline and then were challenged to name these...
Read MoreMoney & Marriage Part 3: Money Talks
It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon. We had dinner in the crockpot, our baby had just gone down for a nap, and I was putting a puzzle together with our older daughter. My husband was in the next room. “What’s this $150 bill...
Read MoreMarket Commentary October 2019
The 3rd quarter of 2019 saw the US stock market trade in a narrow range, with the S&P 500 index ultimately closing 1.62% off its all-time high mark set on July 26th. The halting progress obscures the very strong year-to-date S&P 500...
Read MoreMoney & Marriage Part 2: Merging Your Money
Our Money & Marriage series continues by going back to the very beginning… of your relationship with your significant other! At some point, you’ll consider combining finances: whether you’re living together, getting...
Read MoreWhat is Your Financial Game Plan?
What is your financial GAME PLAN and who is on your team? Those who know me well know that athletics is a significant part of my life. Back in the day, I played high school basketball in Waterloo. I played “Six-on-Six”...
Read MoreMoney & Marriage: When You’re Not On The Same Page
Couples fight about money. There are numerous studies and surveys showing money is the #1 cause of divorce in America. Even if your money arguments don’t lead to divorce, it can cause stress in your relationship. Just bringing up...
Read MoreBack to School!
Back to school time means back to a routine for many families. Summer vacations were enjoyed, fun was had at the pool, and hot dog cookouts in the backyard were relished (pun intended). Whether you are a family with kids in school or...
Read MoreHow Much Do I Need to Retire?
"How Much Do I Need to Retire?" It is the number one question Americans ask about retirement. Type that query into Google and you will get 116 million results. (Seriously, try it!) It’s followed pretty closely by “How do I...
Read MoreSummer Chore Charts
School’s out for summer! It’s time for camps, trips to the pool, picnics—and chores! Summer is a great time to get kids more involved around the home and let them earn a little spending money of their own.
Read MoreMarket Commentary July 2019
Market Commentary by Steve Conard, CFP® Financial markets continued to move higher in the 2nd quarter of 2019, albeit at a more tempered pace than in the prior quarter. All major asset classes participated in the rally; US and...
Read More5 Money Moves When Changing Jobs
You’ve made it through the long process of applying, interviewing, and landing the big job. It’s a fresh start professionally, and it can be financially, too! Here are five things to do with your money when changing jobs. 1...
Read MoreLife on a Budget—Des Moines Edition
One of the biggest topics we discuss with clients is how to create and maintain a budget. Knowing what is coming in and what is going out is important, no matter where you are at in your financial journey. You could be working on being...
Read MoreHow to Choose a Financial Advisor
At a certain point in my 20s, I finally felt I was “adult” enough to work with a financial advisor. I had questions I just wasn’t comfortable trying to answer myself. Until that point, I didn’t really have any...
Read MoreHow Much To Spend On A New Car
How much is too much to spend on a car? The Federal Reserve Bank of New York just released some startling news: More than 7 million Americans are at least three months behind on their car payments. To put it in perspective,...
Read MoreTime Flies…
Is it just me or does it feel that time goes faster the older I get? Many of us feel that time passes more quickly as we age…a perception that can lead to anxious thoughts, self-reflection, doubt and sometimes regret....
Read MoreFinancial Checkup: 7 Key Areas to Consider
You typically see your doctor once a year to check on your body’s health and well-being. So why don’t you do the same thing with your financial health? An annual financial checkup can help determine if you’re on the...
Read MoreMarket Commentary
Global equity markets, led by the US, took a nosedive in the 4th quarter after peaking on September 20, 2018. Traders have been ignoring the strong economic and corporate earnings environment, choosing instead to worry about the still...
Read MoreSetting Your Money Intentions for the New Year
Drop 10 pounds in the New Year! How to be happier in 2019! Declutter your house and your life! You’ve probably seen these headlines on social media, in the checkout lane at the grocery store or on TV—those New Year’s...
Read MoreHow To Make Extra Money—FAST—For The Holidays
Somehow, it happened. The calendar flipped to November, Christmas lights are shining in your neighborhood and your commute is suddenly filled with “Feliz Navidad” on the radio. The holidays are coming, and if you’re...
Read MoreThe Value of a Dollar Spent
I was recently at a store with my three-year-old son and I told him going in that he could pick out one item. He wanted something that was Iowa Hawkeye-related (proud Dad moment). As we were browsing the toy section, he found a Lego...
Read More7 Ways to Save During Your Child’s First Few Years
Your bundle of joy has arrived! You are settling into a new routine with your newly expanded family. The first few months can be hazy with round-the-clock feedings, and sleep-deprived parents can blow their budgets on things they think...
Read MoreDefining Your Passion
I have watched NBC’s America’s Got Talent off and on through the years…and this season, I’ll admit I have found myself tuning in to more episodes than I thought I would. Season after season, I am reminded that...
Read MoreBudgeting For Your New Baby: 6 Ways to Save
It’s some of the best news you’ll ever receive: You’re expecting! A new baby will be joining your family. It’s such an exciting time preparing for the new arrival with cute outfits, baby gear, and nursery...
Read MoreMarket Commentary
Global equity markets have moved higher since the February 8th low in the S&P 500 Index, albeit with significantly more volatility than in the prior two-year period. Much of the up-and-down trading pattern can be attributed to ongoing...
Read More5 Ways to Save for the Holidays
Wait, did you read that correctly? School just started, but we’re going to talk about Christmas? We sure are! Turns out, a few months prior to holiday craziness—cue, right now—is the perfect time to talk about...
Read MoreGetting Your Budget Back on Track
For a lot of people, summertime is a time when budgets are often ignored. If you are anything like me, you might have found yourself splurging on trips, patio drinks, baseball games, date nights, and golf outings. You may have built up...
Read More4 Money Tips for College Students
The flurry of graduation is over, the thank-you notes have been sent, and now parents are anxiously awaiting the day when they drop their child off at college. A new world awaits these college freshmen. It’s a time to enjoy some...
Read MoreBeing Right and Being Wise
So often in our work as financial advisors, we are asked the question, “How do we make the right decision about this?” This question can pertain to many different areas of a person’s life, but it often centers around...
Read MorePreparing for the Unexpected
40% of Americans don’t have the cash on hand to pay for a $400 emergency expense. Think about that for a moment. A new report from the Federal Reserve found four out of 10 Americans, when faced with an unexpected expense,...
Read MoreHomebuying Mistakes to Avoid
3 mistakes to avoid when buying a home Every spring in Iowa, it seems we wake up from winter. The world has been monochromatic for months. Everything is white and gray, dark and drab. One day, a switch flips and we’ve changed the...
Read MoreEight Lifestyle Changes to Save Money
We would all love to earn more money, but if your boss passed you over for the raise or the promotion didn’t come through, you’re not completely out of luck. Here are eight lifestyle changes you can make right now to give...
Read MoreMarket Commentary
Volatility returned to global stock markets in February, and has overstayed its welcome, after a historically extended period of calm seas. The financial media is awash in stories about the underlying causes of the recent market...
Read More15 Ways to Potentially Save Money… That Really Work
In this article, we are going to explore some creative options for saving money on everyday items. Often we ramble through life not paying much attention. Many of these ideas are rooted in doing something in a new or different way,...
Read MoreThe Power of Pre-Tax Investing
The 401(k) plan has evolved into the primary retirement savings vehicle for many American workers over the last 35 years. Participants in 401(k) and similar employer-sponsored plans receive several benefits, including tax-deferral on...
Read MoreChanging Employers
Four Common Options Generally, you have four options for handling the money in your account: Option #1. Keep the Money in Your Former Employer’s Plan If your former employer permits, leaving your money where it is may be an...
Read MoreCompass August 2017 Newsletter: Making Housing Decisions
As many of you know by reading my past newsletters and blogs, my husband and I just made a move to Norwalk. This move was not a decision that was made overnight; with my oldest moving out of state, my youngest entering his junior year...
Read MoreJ.P. Morgan’s Guide to Retirement
https://compassiowa.com/content/uploads/2017/06/2017-GTR-final_2.14.17.pdf
Read MoreFinancial Planning for Retirement: 5 of the Biggest Mistakes You Can Make
Whether you are young or old, financial planning for retirement has probably crossed your mind at some point. And if you are like most people, you do not want to find yourself at retirement age without the means to retire comfortably....
Read MoreMoney and Marriage: Rethinking Your Finances When You Say “I Do”
When it comes to money and marriage, many couples who have been together for a significant amount of time will tell you that finances can be a major sore spot for the relationship. And while money can certainly be a cause of friction...
Read MoreThe Value of a Net Worth Statement
If you spend any time reading financial magazines, there is an uneasy sense that you are falling behind. The world often gives us a warped measuring stick. No matter how hard we try, we just can’t seem to measure up. Out in the...
Read MoreDealing with Dementia: Part 2
A few months ago I wrote about my family’s journey with dementia. I have been overwhelmed with your response. Many clients sent me personal messages wishing me the best through this time. Others have shared their own stories with...
Read MoreDealing With Dementia
I have been on a journey that I could have never expected. My brother, sister, and I have been walking with my mother through the journey of dementia over the last 5 years. Although the details differ in each individual case, the story...
Read MoreWhat Is An Inheritance?
Our work as financial advisers provides a unique opportunity to delve into all sorts of interesting situations. One of the most fascinating topics is inheritance. Inheritances are laced with emotions and fraught with pitfalls. Family...
Read MorePause And Reflect: three things I have learned as a financial advisor
There are times in life where you pause to celebrate and reflect. Four years ago, I launched on a path with Compass Financial Services to help others with their financial lives. It has been an exciting and educational journey. As I...
Read MoreA Walk Through the Years
Young professionals in their 20’s have time on their side. They are typically getting started in their careers and have a relatively low income. Often student debt is on their minds, as well as establishing a lifestyle that may...
Read More