Facts Vs Feelings Take 5 – Outlook 2025: Animal Spirits

In this week’s episode of Take 5, Ryan Detrick, Chief Market Strategist at Carson Group, and Sonu Varghese, VP, Global Macro Strategist at Carson Group, present their 2025 economic outlook. They foresee no recession, steady economic growth, and stock gains of 12-15%. Bonds may perform excep …

Market Outlook 2025: Animal Spirits

Gain key insights on the markets for the upcoming year with Ryan Detrick, Chief Market Strategist, and Sonu Varghese, VP, Global Macro Strategist. Download Guide

Back 2 Basics

The good news is that American households have a total net worth of $85.2 trillion. The bad news is that most families are still behind where they were financially in 2007. In a recent survey, over half of Americans said they had less than $1,000 in their checking and savings accounts combi …

Your Money

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Back 2 Basics

The good news is that American households have a total net worth of $85.2 trillion. The bad news is that most families are still behind where they were financially in 2007. In a recent survey, over half of Americans said they had less than $1,000 in their checking and savings accounts combi …

Why Should I Hire a Financial Advisor? 5 Benefits of Financial Advice

As an advisor, we get tasked with showing someone why they should pay us to give them advice. If clients can do it all themselves or hire a computer to invest, what is the true value of having a financial advisor? Is it really worth it?

2025 Calendar: Key Tasks & Financial Dates

Get ready to tackle 2025 with this month-by-month financial task list. We’ve also included important dates so you won’t miss key deadlines. Download the checklist today to get started.  

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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Understanding Long-Term Care Planning: What You Need to Know

As we age, the prospect of needing assistance with daily activities becomes more likely. Planning for long-term care (LTC) ensures that you or your loved ones will have access to the support needed, while avoiding financial strain. Below, we’ll explore some common questions about long-term …

Long-Term Care

Our goal is to make your life easier. Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia can be highly stressful for caregivers and family members. Providing answers on how to financially prepare for these conditions is one way we can help. Read this guide for tips on how to prepare for th …

5 Reasons to Think About Long-Term Care Planning Today

I once received an email from a family friend about long-term care insurance. He was frustrated over a premium increase – which wasn’t the first rate hike – yet, he was still thankful for the policy. Despite the rising cost, he knew the importance of long-term care insurance in helping prot …

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 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.

How a Donor-Advised Fund Can Help Your Charitable Giving

Giving is an important part of our society for many. It can provide us the opportunity to support causes we believe in and make a positive impact. Keep in mind, giving isn’t always about donating money. It can also include volunteering time or donating goods and resources. Here are some exa …

Choosing the Right Trustee for Your Estate Plan

One of the most important decisions you’ll make when designing your estate plan is who to name in the various fiduciary roles: trustee, personal representative, executor and agent. While a critical decision, it’s often given significantly less thought than the distribution of your assets. B …

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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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 …

Financial Literacy Guide

The basics of financial literacy – such as budgeting, borrowing and saving – can be difficult to teach to kids, but the rewards of a child heading into adulthood with a solid understanding of financial literacy are numerous. Download the checklist today to get started.

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 – Outlook 2025: Animal Spirits

In this week’s episode of Take 5, Ryan Detrick, Chief Market Strategist at Carson Group, and Sonu Varghese, VP, Global Macro Strategist at Carson Group, present their 2025 economic outlook. They foresee no recession, steady economic growth, and stock gains of 12-15%. Bonds may perform excep …

Market Outlook 2025: Animal Spirits

Gain key insights on the markets for the upcoming year with Ryan Detrick, Chief Market Strategist, and Sonu Varghese, VP, Global Macro Strategist. Download Guide

Market Commentary: Strong Jobs Report Gets the “Good News Is Bad News” Treatment

Current Market Volatility Normal for a Bull Market The S&P 500 is off to a bit of a rocky start in 2025, an extension of weakness in December 2024. We are already getting questions about whether it’s time to panic, with bearish narratives starting to come out of hibernation across socia …

2024 Market Outlook Report

2024 Market Outlook Report

Will the bull market continue in 2024? What about a recession? What will the Fed do? We take a deep dive into our outlook for 2024 in Carson Investment Research’s Outlook ‘24: Seeing Eye to Eye.

In the News

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COVID’s Financial Toll Isn’t What You Think

By Erin Wood, Senior Vice President, Financial Planning and Advanced Solutions Just a few years ago, Rose retired with a decent-sized 401(k). With some careful budgeting and a part-time job, her retirement finances were on track. Rose was looking forward to traveling, reigniting her passion …

Emerging Financially Healthy After a Gray Divorce

By: Erin Wood, CFP®, CRPC®, FBS®, Senior Vice President, Financial Planning, Carson Group   Laura and Caroline are in their late 50s. Friends since meeting at a playgroup for their toddlers, both were in long-term, seemingly happy marriages.

3 Roth Conversion Traps To Avoid After The SECURE Act

Roth conversions can be a powerful tax and retirement planning technique. The idea behind most Roth conversions is to take money from an IRA and convert it to a Roth IRA. Essentially, you’re paying taxes today instead of paying taxes in the future.