Investment Insights Blog | Plancorp | Financial Planning (6)

The financial services industry is no stranger to competition, and you’ve likely heard of its latest game: the race to zero fees. On the surface, providing services at no cost sounds like another leap forward in disrupting outdated business models, but it’s not that simple. All too often, no cost Read more…

The beginning of a year is a time to reflect on the past and set goals for the future.  Maybe your 2019 goals involve eating healthier and getting more exercise.  Maybe you want to start reading more or spending more time with family.  Maybe you’ve set some financial goals – like paying off Read more…

Stock markets have been choppy lately, with the S&P 500 off more than 10% from its highs. A decline of this nature is broadly labeled as a “correction.”   While it’s never fun to see your portfolio take a hit, losses are a normal part of investing. During bull markets since 1945, the S&P 500 has Read more…

In a world where the DOL Fiduciary Rule is presumed dead- and we have different regulatory bodies, primarily the SEC, coming in with new rules- transparency has become paramount. Read more…

A financial plan is more than just a budget or insurance policy. It is the actions you need to take to reach your financial goals (think: helping fund your daughter’s college tuition or buying that second home on the lake). Your financial plan is unique, but to ensure confidence in the planning you Read more…

As a young professional, one of the best pieces of advice I received was to save and invest 15% of my salary for my future. Read more…

My father-in-law, Tom, is the king of buying and selling used cars. Every two or three years he sells his car and buys another used car. And if he doesn’t come out ahead every time, he seems to at least break even. Read more…

Graduating from college is a fun and exciting time of life. For most students, this time also brings the realization of a new reality: student loans. By taking proactive steps, you can reduce your stress and make better budgeting decisions. Read more…

People tend to tell me I’m a positive person, even if I don’t always feel like I am. Whether you consider yourself an optimist or not, chances are you blindly trust that at least some figures in your life—perhaps your attorney, CPA, pastor or financial advisor—are inherently “good.” After all, it’s Read more…

If you place your hand in a bowl of lukewarm water and start heating it, you’re unlikely to notice the rising temperature. Your hand adapts to the gradual change. Read more…