Weekly Blog

Later this afternoon (Wednesday, 10/4) at around 1:20 pm (CDT) your cell phone will likely receive an emergency test alert. In August, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that it will be conducting a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) today. If you are within range of…

What are your plans for New Year’s Eve this year? While some people like to spend the night out on the town, others prefer a small gathering with friends or family or maybe even a family movie night at home. Some people enjoy celebrating the bright spots of the previous year while others optimistically look…

For those of you fearful that today’s blog lesson will involve a graphing calculator, you will be thankful to learn that it does not. It involves something far more gray than the black and white of mathematics. This week is full of central bank meetings and announcements. The Bank of England gets together on Thursday,…

On Sunday, Jordan Love completed his first game as the Packers’ new starting quarterback. It went pretty well. Well enough that a fan could start to imagine how his career could unfold. Thankfully, we have the past 30 years of statistical evidence on Packers quarterbacks to help us gauge how Jordan Love’s career could develop.…

Ah, September! Kids and college students are back in school. The first month of fall with cooler temperatures and the first sign of color in trees. The worst month of the year. From a short-term stock trader’s point of view, September is historically the worst month of the year. And it is not even close.…

Last week was what has become known to my family and friends as my annual Camp Bike Think week. I go somewhere by myself with our family’s pop up camper for a week. It is not really a vacation as much as it is a change in environment. I still have my e-mail open every…

This past weekend many of our financial advisors and several of our team members traveled to San Diego for a national conference hosted by LPL Financial. One of the keynote speakers during the event was retired Col. Nicole Malachowski, the first female U.S. Air Force Thunderbird pilot. She shared her story about overcoming very long…

Monday evening was one of the most pleasant Wisconsin summer evenings in a long time. Tolerable temperatures, minimal humidity, and no bugs. A great night for a hike with my wife. To be completely and thoroughly honest, you may actually consider our activity to be a walk since we stuck to the roads by our…

It is very rare to find Wall Street analysts as dour as they are today. As typical following a year of stock market struggles like 2022, 2023 has been a pretty positive year for many companies’ stock prices. You would think the rest of the year would be filled with hope, optimism, and confidence based…

It has been almost five weeks since my last blog as I was on a 4,317-mile camping trip with my 13-year-old daughter and 15-year-old niece. I have thankfully returned safely and sanely. The anticipation and nervous energy of preparing for a 3.5-week camping trip culminates in the day of departure. We then spend a day…

The official start of summer is June 21, but I think most of us would agree [particularly those that live in Wisconsin] that the weather has certainly produced summer-like conditions for the past couple of weeks, and many of us are simply loving it! When I see or hear the words, “it’s summer” I get…

It appears that the President and Congress have arrived at an agreement on raising our country’s debt limit and small spending reductions for the next two years. Pop the champagne! Celebrate this glorious achievement in our country’s history! At least this fleeting victory will temporarily distract us from the long-term fiscal nightmare that lies ahead.…

The commonly accepted narrative about the rest of 2023 is that there is very little to be optimistic about. First, we have to get over a debt limit debacle that should resolve itself to some degree within the next week or so. Then, we have to make sure the banking challenges we have seen stay…

Things can change quickly. Yesterday afternoon was beautiful, sunny, and warm. It almost felt like summer. It was a great day for mowing the lawn, maybe planting some flowers, and catching some delightful rays of sunshine. Appropriate outside attire included shorts and a T-shirt. Just a single hour later it was cold, windy, and felt…

One of the most confusing financial decisions facing younger clients and families is prioritization. They are just starting out in life, and the sheer number of financial planning questions and opportunities can overwhelm them into doing nothing or a little bit of everything. Maybe you have a child or grandchild that is graduating this month…

Today we likely reach the end which, naturally, is a new beginning. Unless we see rising inflation or falling unemployment over the next few months, today is likely the Federal Reserve’s last increase in its overnight bank lending rate during this economic cycle. It has been a very rapid ascent. After holding their interest rate…

Despite the weather pretending it is March, this week Friday is actually the end of April for the financial markets. We will have completed one-third of 2023 at that point and will be heading into May. May’s reputation precedes itself because The Stock Trader’s Almanac popularized the phrase “Sell in May.” The almanac found that,…

This Week’s Blogger: Scott D. Heins, CFP®, Chief Investment Officer If you were fortunate enough to go to American Family Field on Monday for the Brewers’ home opening romp over the New York Mets, you likely witnessed some unacceptable behavior at some point during the game. I guess that is part of many people’s opening…

This Week’s Blogger: Scott D. Heins, CFP®, IAG Chief Investment Officer   The last few weeks have been filled with headlines about unintended consequences.   Reacting to a global pandemic and government-mandated economic shutdowns, Congress and the Federal Reserve unleashed a torrent of money into the economy. The Federal Reserve took interest rates to 0%…

This Week’s Blogger: Scott D. Heins, CFP®, IAG Chief Investment Officer   Americans’ lives changed three years ago on March 15, 2020. On that date numerous states began systematically shutting down anything that served as a gathering place for people to interact. Sincere social distancing was born.   Here we are three years later, and…

This Week’s Blogger: Scott D. Heins, CFP®, IAG Chief Investment Officer   How many companies strive to make their customers happy by offering them less while increasing the price?   This season Major League Baseball is implementing new rules that are expressly intended to increase fan happiness by offering them less baseball. These new rules…

This Week’s Blogger: Scott D. Heins, CFP®, IAG Chief Investment Officer   Leftovers have been much more palatable since the widespread adoption of the microwave oven. There is nothing like a bunch of overstimulated water molecules to convert cold leftovers into a warm lunch or dinner the next day.   The SECURE 2.0 Act which…

This Week’s Blogger: Scott D. Heins, CFP®, IAG Chief Investment Officer   The calendar likely ranks as one of the items we are most likely to take for granted. It provides an effortless structure and predictable rhythm for our lives. But that has not always been the case.   On Monday we celebrate President’s Day…

This Week’s Blogger: Scott D. Heins, CFP®, IAG Chief Investment Officer   On Saturday, January 28, the military identified a large balloon north of Alaska’s Aleutian Islands. It peacefully floated southeast across the North Pacific Ocean into Canada, and by last Tuesday reached the Idaho/Montana border.   The balloon then successfully and likely inadvertently captured…

This Week’s Blogger: Scott D. Heins, CFP®, IAG Chief Investment Officer   Scene 1: Flush with abundant money provided by Congress and the Federal Reserve, consumers and traders celebrate an astounding recovery from the economic impact of a global pandemic and expectantly welcome an exciting new year by pushing stock prices to record highs.  …

This Week’s Blogger: Scott D. Heins, CFP®, IAG Chief Investment Officer   Here we are again. The drama. The finger pointing. The tension. The drama. Oh, the drama. Yes, the federal government must have maxed out its line of credit — again.   As much as the politicians would prefer to ignore it, the federal…

This Week’s Blogger: Scott D. Heins, CFP®, IAG Chief Investment Officer   Toward the end of last year, expert market prognosticators continued their tradition of revealing their forecasts for the financial markets for the following year.   While they are, in my opinion, about as useful as the always entertaining Farmer’s Almanac, many of these…

This Week’s Blogger: Scott D. Heins, CFP®, IAG Chief Investment Officer   A new year always bring some changes to your life.   Some of 2023’s changes will likely have little impact on your day-to-day life. For example, it is now legal (but still risky) to jaywalk in California, Mississippi has a catchy new state…

This Week’s Blogger: Scott D. Heins, CFP®, IAG Chief Investment Officer   Early Sunday morning a brand-new year was born, full of high hopes and resolutions.   Every new year is a chance to put the past in the past, to look to the future with optimism, and to reflect on the changes that could…

Way back in April we highlighted proposed legislation that could make some changes to the rules of retirement – the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022. After handily passing the U.S. House of Representatives in April and passing out of U.S. Senate committees, the bill has patiently waited to be voted on in the U.S. Senate…

This Week’s Blogger: Scott D. Heins, CFP®, IAG Chief Investment Officer   Christmas is coming! This is probably not news to you.   If you have young children, the excitement has been building since the calendar turned to December (and maybe even sooner). This is positive anticipation.   A blizzard is coming! This is probably…

This Week’s Blogger: Scott D. Heins, CFP®, IAG Chief Investment Officer   Last week Friday’s snow created an excellent educational opportunity.   My middle child was granted his driver’s license by the State of Wisconsin in September. His mandated 50 hours of parent driving time started a mere 6 months prior to that and, as…

This Week’s Blogger: Scott D. Heins, CFP®, IAG Chief Investment Officer   One of the more interesting stories of 2022 has been the dichotomies of the U.S. dollar. When you think about them from just the wrong perspectives it can give you a headache. Naturally, that is where my attention is drawn.   Everybody in…

This Week’s Blogger: Scott D. Heins, CFP®, IAG Chief Investment Officer “It’s one of the best defenses on paper that we’ve had,” said Aaron Rodgers during training camp in August. “On the field it looks even better,” extrapolated safety Darnell Savage. And then the reality of the regular season set in. Currently the Packers defense…

This quarter the IAG Charitable Foundation made a grant to support Flight to the North Pole. This Milwaukee-based organization focuses on providing a memorable event for children fighting cancer (and their entire family) during the Christmas season. You can learn more about their mission by visiting their website. If you would like to submit a…

Last week’s October inflation report created a surge of optimism about the future. Traders enthusiastically embraced signs of slowing inflation and went on a buying frenzy that created significant one-day gains last Thursday.   Bond traders were happy that the Federal Reserve may not have to raise their overnight interest rate as much as they…

This Week’s Blogger: Scott D. Heins, CFP®, IAG Chief Investment Officer   I am writing this blog on Monday afternoon, envisioning what reality will be on Wednesday morning. That is always a dicey proposition.   First, on Wednesday morning I envision that I will be very happy that the onslaught of gloomy, accusatory, negative advertisements…

With the cost of long-term care (LTC) increasing year over year, considering how the costs of long-term LTC will impact your financial plan is essential. According to insurance company Genworth, the price of LTC services increased substantially in 2021 for specific settings due to the supply of professional labor and the growing aging society. Other…

This Week’s Blogger: Scott D. Heins, CFP®, IAG Chief Investment Officer   The next week will be filled with costumes and candy as kids cash in on strangers’ sugar donations.   How do these traditions get started? Who was the first parent to dress their children in costumes, walk them up to a stranger’s door,…

This Week’s Blogger: Scott D. Heins, CFP®, IAG Chief Investment Officer   Hiking through deserts poses a real threat to your physical and mental well-being if you do not plan ahead. High temperatures, low humidity, and a noticeable lack of bubblers create just the environment to whither with your body and mind.   For those…

This Week’s Blogger: Scott D. Heins, CFP®, IAG Chief Investment Officer   Sirens are often associated with unfortunate events in life.   Sirens respond to car crashes. Sirens respond to medical emergencies. Sirens respond to house fires.   But how do you respond to sirens?   If you are driving, hopefully you safely pull over…

American workers find it difficult to save for retirement because their distant financial needs tend to take a backseat to more immediate economic concerns, even if they have their day-to-day finances under control or are financially literate, according to a study by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. In the issue titled: “Are…

More consumers are conducting financial transactions online and may become vulnerable to tracking, hacking, identity theft, phishing scams, and other cyberspace risks. While nothing can guarantee complete safety on the Internet, understanding how to protect your privacy can help mitigate your exposure to risk.   Here are some ways to help you safeguard your information:…

In 2021, women-led companies only received 2% of all venture capital funding, a figure considered the lowest percentage in more than five years.1  Data shows this figure does not necessarily reflect the potential success of female-owned businesses, but possibly more of a reluctance for male investors or male-led funds to green-light these projects. The reasons…

Planning personal finances used to be the worry of the wealthy and their worry—usually preservation of wealth—was attended to by teams of trust officers and lawyers. Many of today’s middle class families have different concerns: funding retirement; educating children; protecting assets; and coping with unexpected changes in health, employment, and marital situations. But, whether your…

This Week’s Blogger: Scott D. Heins, CFP®, IAG Chief Investment Officer   Recently we have heard from a number of clients asking “Is it time?”   Some are concerned about recent market events and are asking if it is time to switch to a more conservative investment approach.   Others are cautiously optimistic about the…

This Week’s Blogger: Scott D. Heins, CFP®, IAG Chief Investment Officer   Miriam-Webster lists the origin of the word jitters as “unknown.” While the origin of jitters may be unknown, it is the unknown that will likely be creating jitters for short-term traders in the next few months.   Today bond traders believe the Federal…

Life insurance has come a long way since the days when it was known as burial insurance and used mainly to pay for funeral expenses. Today, life insurance is a crucial part of many estate plans. You can use it to leave much-needed income to your survivors, provide for your children’s education, pay off your…

Homebuyers braving the hot U.S. housing market have run headlong into a striking transition. The average interest rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage jumped from around 3.2% at the beginning of 2022 to 5.3% in mid-May, the highest level since 2009. This rise was sparked by the Federal Reserve’s commitment to raise the federal funds…

Women own nearly 20% of the businesses that employ people in the United States, and countless more women run their businesses without employees. There are over one million women-owned firms. They employ over 10 million people and generate nearly $1.8 trillion in revenue annually.1 If you are a female entrepreneur, you help create these stunning…

Nine of every 10 U.S. families with children have at least one working parent.1 Though working parents make up one of the largest demographic groups in the country, they face many challenges—from the cost of childcare to inconvenient scheduling issues. There are a few steps working parents may wish to take to smooth the path ahead,…

This Week’s Blogger: Scott D. Heins, CFP®, IAG Chief Investment Officer   On Thursday evening the National Football League’s (NFL) 2022 season begins with the Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams hosting the Buffalo Bills.   To make an NFL team’s roster requires significant personal commitment by the players. They must commit to keeping their…

Investing for your retirement isn’t about getting rich quick. More often, it’s about having a game plan that you can live with over a long time. You wouldn’t expect to be able to play the piano without learning the basics and practicing. Investing for your retirement over the long term also takes a little knowledge…

This Week’s Blogger: Scott D. Heins, CFP®, IAG Chief Investment Officer   I had an interesting experience driving my daughter home from camp on Sunday.   We were driving through a small town in central Wisconsin when a vehicle made a right turn at an intersection a block or so in front of us. Everything…

Women are successful professionals, business owners, and knowledgeable investors. At some point in their lives, women may have to manage their own finances due to divorce, widowhood, or remaining single. Every day, women face a variety of risks to their life, their health, and their property. Although you can’t eliminate many of these risks, you…

As of 2017, about two-thirds of all nonprofit organizations in the U.S. had annual budgets of less than $1 million.[1] For these non-profit organizations where every penny has a purpose, having the services of a financial professional can be incredibly valuable. Below, learn more about the different ways a financial professional can help non-profits succeed. Fiduciary…

  If you’ve moved beyond basic financial advice—live below your means and set aside funds for a rainy day—you may be wondering what to actually do with these rainy-day funds. With inflation on the rise, keeping excess cash in a checking or savings account could erode your purchasing power over time.1 What should you do to put these…

As the cost of a college education continues to climb, many grandparents are stepping in to help. This trend is expected to accelerate as baby boomers, many of whom went to college, become grandparents and start gifting what’s predicted to be trillions of dollars over the coming decades. Helping to pay for a grandchild’s college…

This Week’s Blogger: Scott D. Heins, CFP®, IAG Chief Investment Officer   It is generally good to know where you are.   When hiking in the woods, you bring along a compass and a trail map. When driving in unfamiliar territory, you use Google maps or your car’s GPS to keep your bearings.   The…

This Week’s Blogger: Scott D. Heins, CFP®, IAG Chief Investment Officer   If you made it past the title of this blog, congratulations! Most people likely saw “math” in the title and casually walked away without making eye contact.   Whether you like it or not, math runs your world. You can either choose to…

This Week’s Blogger: Scott D. Heins, CFP®, IAG Chief Investment Officer Within the next few days you will face a critical decision. Your June investment statements will arrive via e-mail or in the mail. There are three potential approaches you could take because you honestly already know what your statements will tell you.   Option…

The amount of individual disability income insurance you should buy depends on three things: how much income you’ll need if you become disabled, how much money you can afford to spend on premiums, and how much insurance you’ll be able to purchase under the insurance company’s guidelines. Determine how much income you’ll need if you…

Many parents may find it uncomfortable, or even believe it is unnecessary, to inform their children about personal finance matters. Yet, communicating openly with your family members can help to reassure them about your financial and health care wishes. This may also ease the decision-making process for your family in many important areas. As time…

Insurance may provide a safety net for when things go wrong and might allow you to navigate life a little more confidently. Insurance Nerd Day is July 18. In celebration, here are six interesting facts about insurance you may not know. Insurance Originates from a Marriage Engagement The origin of the word “insurance” comes from…

For members of the “Sandwich Generation”—those currently in their 40s and 50s who are caring for children and their parents who are over 65-years old—estate planning may seem like a low priority. After all, when you’re juggling multiple caregiving responsibilities daily, sitting down to draft a will is easy to put off. But estate planning…

The golden rule of financial planning: if you can plan it, you can pursue it Over the past July 4th, we celebrated our country’s history of declaring independence and guaranteeing basic human freedoms. But true freedom includes financial independence, as well. Self-sufficiency isn’t guaranteed, but every one of us has the opportunity to achieve it.…

America’s older generations grew up in a different world where it was customary to be courteous and trusting. Unfortunately, these exemplary standards of conduct could get some individuals into trouble. Con artists bank on the willingness of older Americans to trust in a variety of too-good-to-be-true investment “deals.” Therefore, many people already experiencing financial difficulties…

It has been a rough six weeks. The financial markets have persistently declined, interest rates have risen, and you may be getting weary of bad news.   These are the times that test an investors’ patience. These are the times where the siren songs of foolish decisions get louder. These are the times for gentle…

Chris Mitchell of IAG Wealth Partners, LLC was recently ranked No. 61 in WI in the 2022 Best-In-State Wealth Advisors list published by Forbes. This is the fourth consecutive year he has made the statewide ranking. According to Forbes, the annual list spotlights the nation’s top-performing advisors, evaluated based on a methodology developed by SHOOK…