Facts Vs Feelings Take 5 – Where’s the Inflation?

Tariffs, shelter costs, services inflation—what’s really driving prices in the U.S. economy right now? In this week’s Carson Take 5, Ryan and Sonu break down the latest inflation data and what it means for investors, the Federal Reserve, and the markets heading into the second half of 2025. …

Health Savings Account (HSA) Worksheet

Did you know you can utilize a health savings account (HSA) to invest for your future? HSAs have many tax benefits, including tad-deductible contributions and tax-deferred growth. But is one right for you? This worksheet will help you determine if you qualify, as well as identify common mis …

A Beginner’s Guide to Market Investment Terms

Let’s be honest—investment terminology can sound like a foreign language. Asset allocation, ETFs, yield curves…What does it all mean? Here’s the good news: You don’t need an MBA to get smart about investing. This glossary of investment terms to know can be your cheat sheet for spotting red …

Your Money

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Health Savings Account (HSA) Worksheet

Did you know you can utilize a health savings account (HSA) to invest for your future? HSAs have many tax benefits, including tad-deductible contributions and tax-deferred growth. But is one right for you? This worksheet will help you determine if you qualify, as well as identify common mis …

More than Just Health Insurance: Understanding and Leveraging Your Employee Benefits

When most people consider a job offer, they tend to focus on one thing: salary. But while your paycheck is important, it’s only one piece of the puzzle. Your full compensation package also includes your employee benefits—retirement accounts, insurance, personal time off, and much more.

Tax-Efficient Strategies for Transferring Wealth to the Next Generation

Transferring wealth to the next generation can be costly in taxes if not planned properly. Effective tax strategies, such as using trusts, lifetime gifting, and charitable contributions, can minimize tax burdens and preserve wealth for heirs. Early planning is crucial to maximizing these be …

2025 Calendar: Key Tasks & Financial Dates

2025 Calendar: Key Tasks & Financial Dates

Tackle 2025 with this month-by-month financial task list. We’ve also included important dates so you won’t miss any key deadlines.

Your Business

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Life Insurance Strategies for Business Owners

Owning a business can be like parenting. You’ve likely experienced many sleepless nights and spent a countless amount of energy on your “baby.” Like parenting, being a business owner can be an enriching journey and make life worth the trip.

From Tax Efficiency to Retirement: Financial Planning for Small Business Owners

Financial planning for a small business gets more complicated every day. Business owners must navigate tax efficiency (and life under the new Tax Cuts and Jobs Act), retirement preparations for yourself and your employees, and succession planning. Get your financial plan in place today and …

8 Financial Planning Tips for Small Business Owners

Running a small business involves juggling multiple responsibilities. Managing the business’s finances is one of the most crucial aspects. Proper financial management can be the difference between a thriving business and one that struggles to stay afloat. Here are eight essential financial …

Business Succession Planning Checklist

Business Succession Planning Checklist

You remember your first day of business. But what about your last day? Succession planning is more complex than it may seem. Our guide walks you through the details.

Your Retirement

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Tax Planning in Retirement: Strategies to Help Minimize Taxes When You Retire

The transition from employment to retirement can be complex. For decades, employees and business owners received either a regular paycheck or earnings from self-employment. Suddenly, that will slow or stop. Not only will cash inflow stop, but you will also be taking money out of all these a …

Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) Worksheet

IRMAA, or the income-related monthly adjustment amount, is an extra amount you need to pay on top of Medicare Part B and Part D premiums based on your income. It’s never too early to start planning for these additional payments. This guide will help you identify some IRMAA planning points a …

How to Go from Making Money to Making Money Happen in Retirement

It’s a concept that is all too important as 4 in 10 Americans are at risk of running out of money in retirement. The landscape changes when you retire. Your goal now is to conserve, grow, maintain and otherwise hold onto what you already have. 

Medicare and Managing Health Care Costs in Retirement

Medicare and Managing Health Care Costs in Retirement

Health care costs in retirement aren't going anywhere. Naturally, as our bodies get older, it costs more to keep them running. Let's look at the parts of this vital program and how it plays a part in your financial plan.

Your Legacy

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How Estate and Gift Taxes Can Impact Your Financial Plan

Tom Fridrich, JD, CLU, ChFC®, Manager and Senior Wealth Planner Giving something you own to someone else. It’s a simple, human act – one that seems like it shouldn’t take too much planning to do it correctly. But when does gifting become a tax issue? What do you need to consider about gifti …

Why You Might Need a Power of Attorney

Have you thought about your legacy? We highly recommend that you appoint a trusted family member or friend as your power of attorney (POA), giving them the ability to help with your financial or health needs, should an unfortunate event occur in your life.

7 Tips to Successfully Transfer Wealth to Your Kids

70% of family wealth is lost by the end of the second generation and 90% by the end of the third. Get our step-by-step guide to help you successfully pass your wealth to the next generation.   Download Guide

A Guide to Gifting to Your Heirs

A Guide to Gifting to Your Heirs

Gifting to your loved ones now or posthumously each carries their own positives and negatives as they relate to your estate plan, taxes, your goals and your legacy.

Your Freedom

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Compounding Wealth (and Wisdom): The Power of Compound Interest

No single strategy works forever, but you also don’t want to change your approach every time the markets shift slightly. How does investing work – not just for a season or a year or two, but for a lifetime? Time is a major factor when it comes to successful investing.

How to Make Charitable Giving Part of Your Financial Plan

COVID-19 caused an economic shockwave that we’ll feel for a long time. Nonprofits, from large global networks to the local churches, have been hit hard, too. In a recent survey of 110 nonprofits, 80% of them said revenue had fallen across the board.

7 Economic Myths Busted

By Ryan Detrick, Chief Market Strategist We’ve been hearing many of the same myths over and over, yet we don’t think they are the big worry that the media and many make them out to be. These are legitimate concerns and have many investors worried, but we think the chances of them becoming l …

When Shifting Goals Mean Shifting Plans

When Shifting Goals Mean Shifting Plans

Your financial plan shouldn't look the same at 55 as it did when you were 35, right? So how do you know when it's time to adjust your plan?

Market & Investments

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Facts Vs Feelings Take 5 – Where’s the Inflation?

Tariffs, shelter costs, services inflation—what’s really driving prices in the U.S. economy right now? In this week’s Carson Take 5, Ryan and Sonu break down the latest inflation data and what it means for investors, the Federal Reserve, and the markets heading into the second half of 2025. …

A Beginner’s Guide to Market Investment Terms

Let’s be honest—investment terminology can sound like a foreign language. Asset allocation, ETFs, yield curves…What does it all mean? Here’s the good news: You don’t need an MBA to get smart about investing. This glossary of investment terms to know can be your cheat sheet for spotting red …

Market Commentary: Carson Investment Research Presents Its Midyear Outlook 2025: Uncharted Waters

The Carson Investment Team was proud to release our Midyear Outlook 2025: Uncharted Waters last week. Few would have thought at the April 8 lows, with the S&P 500 down nearly 20%, that markets would make such a furious comeback. Yet here we sit in early July with the S&P 500 at a to …

2025 Market Outlook Report

2025 Market Outlook Report

The economy had a big year in 2024, avoiding a recession while posting strong job numbers and a soaring stock market. But the new year brings new concerns. What impact could we see from tariffs? How long do we think this bull market will continue? What will the Fed do in 2025?

In the News

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Lock in High CD Rates Before They Drop: Why Now Is the Time to Act

Looking to maximize your savings? Now might be the perfect time to lock in a high-yield certificate of deposit (CD). With interest rates expected to decline later this year, securing a strong APY today can help you earn more in the long run. In a recent article for CNET, Chad Olivier, share …

Don’t Miss Out on High APYs: Why Now Is the Time to Secure a Strong CD Rate

Interest rates are expected to drop later this year, making now a crucial time to secure a strong annual percentage yield (APY) on a certificate of deposit (CD). CDs offer a low-risk, predictable way to grow your money, and today’s best options provide APYs up to 4.65%. In a recent ar …

Mastering Financial Planning and Exit Strategies with Chad Olivier

Join us on Average Joe Finances as our guest Chad Olivier shares his extensive experience and knowledge in financial planning since 1996. Chad discusses his journey from selling tax-free bonds to founding the Olivier Group in 2002, where he now specializes in individual investments and cert …