Blog
Robo-Advisors – what’s the hype?
As a financial advisory firm, we talk a lot about the importance of finding the right match in an advisor. But some people aren’t to the place where they need the full financial planning experience…yet. In the last few years, we’ve seen an increase in the...
Women, Money and the Wealth Gap
As a woman, I’m proud of the unique gifts and qualities our gender offers. We are diverse, we have strong values, and we are caring. Our aptitude for multi-tasking has served us well in the relatively recent advancement of women in the workforce —juggling parenthood,...
Time for a new vehicle – lease or purchase?
As a financial advisor, I’m sometimes asked what my opinions are on purchasing vs. leasing a car or truck. Next to homes, vehicles are typically the second largest single household purchase. Edmunds forecasted that just within the month of December, 1,607,724 new...
Holidays: Making Memories Instead of Breaking the Bank
Years ago, I hosted a family holiday gift exchange that ended up an epic fail. In the spirit of taking the focus off buying gifts and instead creating memories, I implemented what I thought would be a fun experience of a random gift exchange. I was hoping to take the...
NAWBO Iowa names new leadership
Kathryn Towner, president and owner of WinCommunications, and Kendra Erkamaa, CEO and owner of Triangle Financial Services, have been selected to lead NAWBO Iowa as co-presidents of the organization’s 2018-19 board of directors. The two new leaders will work together...
Financial Planning Through Divorce – Tax Considerations
In this second of two articles in the series, we’re focusing on how taxes may affect the division of property during divorce. Divorce is already a painful process, but taxes have the potential to compound the pain more through confusion over new tax laws and changing...
Certificate of Divorce
Divorce is a painful process in many ways. It’s not a topic many want to discuss or think about, but it happens. One of the major areas of focus throughout the process is the division of finances. While marriage is ideally a matter of the heart, if it ends in divorce,...
Creating Wealthy Habits
How would you define “wealth?” I often hear the following: When I can do what I want, when I want, without money worries Knowing I have enough money for both what I need and what I want When I can focus on what brings me joy and happiness instead of work For some,...
When do I take Social Security benefits?
Most people entering the retirement phase of life start questioning when they should collect social security benefits. Should they collect at the age of 62, immediately upon eligibility? Or should they hold off longer to collect more monthly? Just like every...