80/20 Financial Services-Blog

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Time is our most precious resource and I thank you for allowing me to get a few minutes of your time each week. I hope you find the blog helpful and informative. Send me an email if there is ever a topic you would be interested in learning more about. I will research it and write a future blog about it.

Investing Can Be Scary Especially During Scary Times

March 31, 2022 Retirement Funding Insights

The past two years have been the most terrifying years for investors since the Global Financial Crisis of 2008-2009. First the pandemic, next a bitterly partisan presidential election and most recently a 40 year high inflation spike. You wouldn't be human if you haven't experienced market volatility fatigue and exhaustion at some point. I know I have. You might also not be human if after two years of this chaos you didn't want to ditch your financial plan and move all your investments to cash for "safety" and to get some rest from the constant volatility.

Could You Retire Now?

March 10, 2022 Retirement Funding Insights

Without a doubt this is the number one question and concern I hear from people in regards to retirement. So let's talk about this and see if you can retire and have enough money to retire without running out. I think these are questions I can answer with a certain amount of confidence and hopefully I can give you some clarification in the process.

Is Gold A Good Investment Right Now?

February 24, 2022 Investment Insights

It seems that whatever I read, watch or listen to these days gets interrupted by a commercial with a current or former celebrity telling me I need to buy gold because of inflation, because Russia invaded Ukraine or because of (insert whatever manufactured crisis you want here). If I'm seeing this constantly then some of you are as well. So...let's talk about gold as an investment.

Can A 529 Plan Hurt Your Child's Chance Of Receiving Financial Aid?

January 20, 2022 College Planning Investment Insights

Good intentions sometimes have bad consequences. A perfect example can be opening a 529 plan for your child or grandchild. Depending on the financial situations of the parties involved the intentions of helping the child can possibly (key word is possibly) have the consequence of hurting the child chances of financial aid in the future. Let's explore how.

Are Your Investments Performing Well?

January 11, 2022 Investment Retirement Funding

Performance calculations for a portfolio on a monthly statement can be very complex and over a 30-year retirement even totally meaningless. Remember as long-term goal-focused investors, we don’t chase performance, we chase outcomes. If your portfolio is up 25% this month or year congratulations! But will that matter in 15 years if you run out of money??? Retirement is a marathon, not a sprint.

Should You Get Out Of The Market Because Of The National Debt?

September 30, 2021 Investment Retirement Funding Insights

Every night in the news or in any news article we read we hear about the government spending trillions of dollars on some new bill that's going to change the world. As our national debt snowballs it makes one wonder, will it affect your investments at some point?

11 Questions You Should Ask Any Financial Advisor You Interview

September 10, 2021 Retirement Funding

I created this list as an education piece for any electric cooperative employee to use as they interview different financial advisors. My goal isn't that everyone who visits my site decides to work with me. My goal is to help you make an educated decision as you work through this process. If you are retiring soon or just exploring a relationship with a financial advisor, be sure to ask these 11 questions during the interview process. And interview at least three advisors. That should give you a good idea of whom you want to work with and why.

Should You Take Your Cooperative's Lump Sum Offer or the Lifetime Pension Annuity Offer?

September 7, 2021 Retirement Funding

So you are closing in on retirement, and you are faced with a difficult choice regarding your defined-benefit pension plan: Should you accept the traditional, lifetime monthly annuity payments or take the lump sum distribution?

Why Do Stocks Go Up?

August 5, 2021 Investment Insights

The long answer is stock prices are the world's way of appraising the value of the company in which they own stock. The most consistent and reliable signals of a companies value are the level and trends of it's earnings over time.

10 Action Items For A Great Retirement

July 24, 2021 Insights Misc.

There are obvious benefits for every person to have an identity in life. By knowing your identity you are not only able to accomplish your goals, but you also have a sense of wholeness. This remains true during your retirement years when your career is no longer your identity. By knowing who you are and what you want to accomplish in life, you'll gain a sense of confidence and pride and your life will be more meaningful and fulfilled. Let's discuss a few ways to discover your new identity in retirement.

How Much Money Do You Need To Retire From Your Cooperative?

April 19, 2021 Retirement Funding Insights

Do you know how much money it's going to take for you to retire from your cooperative comfortably?

What Is A Bitcoin?

February 15, 2021 Investment Insights

I'm a financial advisor that specializes in retirement planning. My job is to align peoples investments with their goals in retirement. What I do isn't sexy and doesn't make the news but it works and it has for well over 100 years.

What Can We Learn From The GameStop Debacle?

February 2, 2021 Investment Retirement Funding Insights

"The majority, if not all, of financial input you get from the "news" is journalistic. And journalism by nature, stays in business by selling you the news which is timely, as opposed to the truth, which is timeless." Nick Murray

Is Robinhood Commission Free Investing Really Free? Spoiler Alert-It's Not.

November 16, 2020 Investment Insights

In short, Robinhood is an online trading platform that allows its customers to buy and sell stocks for free. They target rookie and novice investors by using gamification and of course everyone's favorite word...free. But is it really free? Let's break it down.

The Social Security Administration Has Announced Cost of Living Adjustments & Tax Changes For 2021. Here's What You Need to Know

October 19, 2020 Retirement Funding

The Social Security Administration announced a 2021 Cost of Living Increase of 1.3% on Oct. 13, 2020. Whether you’re currently working or enjoying retirement, here’s how you may be affected.

Back to Basics: 9 Common Insurance Mistakes to Avoid

September 28, 2020 Retirement Funding Misc.

Choosing an insurance policy that works best for you and your family is so important. When you shop around and find the correct one, it can not only benefit your health but save you money.