Posts by Andy Lucking
How Did We End Up in A Bear Market, And What Comes Next?
How Did We End Up in A Bear Market, And What Comes Next? Presented by Dan Kutzke As inflation has risen and stock prices have fallen, we’ve heard a lot of buzz about a bear market recently. And now we’re officially here. Traditionally defined as a period during which stock prices fall 20 percent…
Read MoreFinancial Aid Myths Debunked
Financial Aid Myths Debunked Presented by Mark Kutzke The purpose of financial aid is to help bridge the gap between the cost of attending college and the amount that students and their parents can afford to pay. Unfortunately, many students forgo applying for financial aid because they assume they won’t qualify. Don’t let these common…
Read More4 Reasons to Consolidate Retirement Accounts
4 Reasons to Consolidate Retirement Accounts __________________________________________________________________ Did you know Americans change jobs an average of 12 times in their lifetime? If you have changed jobs and left behind 401(k) accounts with prior employers, you know firsthand that managing retirement accounts spread among different custodians and financial services providers can be a big headache. Let’s…
Read MoreInvestment Update– how does Ukraine invasion affect things?
The Ukraine War and Your Investments Presented by The NorthStar Financial Advisers team Now that we’re almost two weeks into the Russian invasion of Ukraine, some of the dust is starting to clear around the financial markets. Since the invasion on February 24, markets first rallied, then dropped, and (as of this writing on…
Read MoreTax-Smart Planning Strategies
Minimizing your annual income taxes requires a regular review of your overall financial position. With tax season underway, now is the perfect time to evaluate some effective strategies that could help reduce your current and future taxes. Tax planning should be a year-round activity, so it’s wise to revisit these topics regularly in the context…
Read MoreIs the Stock Market Poised for a Crash?
With the recent market pullback, investor concerns are starting to mount. To be sure, there is plenty to worry about—the Omicron wave, inflation, interest rates, and a potential war in Ukraine, just to name a few. Given all the things that could go wrong, is a stock market crash an inevitable outcome? To help answer…
Read MoreFixed Income Investment Strategies: 4 Ways to Mitigate Inflation Risk
Fixed income investments (also known as bond investments) play an important role in a well-diversified portfolio, potentially serving as downside protection in times of uncertainty. Still, as of this writing in January 2022, some fixed income investors are understandably cautious about the risk of rising consumer prices on their portfolios. The primary concern is the…
Read MoreDebt Management in a Healthy Financial Plan
Wise debt management is a key component of healthy and effective financial planning. Today, most people carry some amount of debt to finance a degree or buy a home or car. Other debts may be incurred out of necessity or as part of an investment plan. Whatever your reasons for taking on debt, you should…
Read MoreIRS Benefit Plan Limits for 2022
On November 4, 2021, the Internal Revenue Service released Notice 2021-61, announcing cost-of-living adjustments that affect contribution limits for retirement plans and retirement accounts in 2022. The list below, though not exhaustive, highlights key changes that retirement plan sponsors should be aware of, as well as several limitations that remain unchanged from 2020: • The…
Read MoreYour Guide To Year End Financial Planning: A 10-Point Checklist
From the hope that came with reopening to the disappointment of another COVID-19 resurgence, 2021 is panning out to be another roller-coaster year. With the fourth quarter upon us, one routine remains consistent: it’s time to start organizing your finances for the new year. New rules related to the pandemic, coupled with tax and retirement…
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