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Friday, November 1, 2019

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...

Friday, October 18, 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...

Friday, October 4, 2019

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...

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

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”...

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

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...

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Monday, August 19, 2019

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...

Thursday, August 8, 2019

"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...

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

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.

Thursday, July 18, 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...

Friday, June 14, 2019

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...

Thursday, May 23, 2019

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...

Sunday, April 7, 2019

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...

Thursday, March 7, 2019

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,...

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

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....

Friday, February 8, 2019

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...

Tuesday, January 22, 2019

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...

Monday, January 7, 2019

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...

Wednesday, December 26, 2018

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...

Monday, December 17, 2018

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...

Thursday, November 15, 2018

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...

Monday, October 22, 2018

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...

Friday, October 5, 2018

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...

Monday, September 17, 2018

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...

Thursday, September 6, 2018

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...

Thursday, August 16, 2018

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...

Friday, July 27, 2018

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...

Monday, July 16, 2018

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...

Friday, June 15, 2018

CHANGE: According to Merriam-Webster the definition of “change” is, “to undergo transformation, transition, or substitution; to replace with another.” It was a year ago (this month) that my husband Brad and I...

Tuesday, June 5, 2018

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,...

Thursday, May 31, 2018

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...

Thursday, May 3, 2018

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...

Monday, April 9, 2018

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...

Friday, December 15, 2017

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,...

Monday, October 30, 2017

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...

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

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...

Wednesday, August 23, 2017

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...

Friday, June 23, 2017

https://compassiowa.com/content/uploads/2017/06/2017-GTR-final_2.14.17.pdf

Monday, June 19, 2017

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....

Monday, June 5, 2017

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...

Thursday, May 25, 2017

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...

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

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...

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

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...

Monday, May 22, 2017

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...

Sunday, May 21, 2017

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...

Saturday, May 20, 2017

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...