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Wednesday, May 6, 2026

Many business owners don't have a clear picture of their personal financial position. When you know your numbers: Decisions become more intentional, risk becomes easier to evaluate, and long-term planning becomes more realistic.

Wednesday, April 22, 2026

For many households and rural business owners, April 15 marks the end of a long process. Tax documents are gathered, forms are signed, and the return is filed. Maybe you received a refund. Maybe you wrote a check. Either way, the common tho

Wednesday, April 8, 2026

Financial success tends to build assets. Financial structure tends to build resilience. If you've spent years accumulating resources and are now beginning to think about how those resources support the future, it may simply be the beginning

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

If you’re a business owner, there’s a kind of weight you carry that rarely shows up on a balance sheet.It’s not just the hours. It’s not just payroll, taxes, or managing people. It’s the quiet, constant mental pressure of measuring...

Wednesday, March 11, 2026

Social Security has one of the simplest names in personal finance, and one of the most emotionally loaded decisions attached to it. People don’t just ask when to start. They ask it like there’s a right answer hiding somewhere – and...

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Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Let’s just say it out loud. Taxes suck. No one enjoys them. No one looks forward to writing that check. You worked all year. Income was decent. Bills were paid. Business felt steady. Life felt…fine. Then tax season shows up and suddenly...

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

Your kids are grown. Technically adults. Legally independent. And yet…your checking account would disagree. Maybe you’re covering rent. Maybe it’s student loans, insurance, phones, or groceries. Maybe it’s framed a “just until things sett

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

For most of our working lives, financial management looks like watching balances, tracking performance, adjusting investments, and responding to market news. That's managing money, and it matters. But later in life, the challenge shifts...

Wednesday, January 7, 2026

If you're feeling frustrated about your finances, you're not alone - and believe it or not, you're probably not doing anything "wrong." Many of the people we talk with are capable, responsible adults. They've built careers, raised...

Tuesday, December 30, 2025

As another year comes to a close, a familiar question often rises to the surface: “Are we going to be okay?” It’s a question filled with both hope and uncertainty. And it’s one that goes far beyond dollars and cents. For many families, it

Tuesday, December 23, 2025

The best resolutions aren’t about overhauling your life. When goals are too heavy, they don’t last. And that’s not a character flaw — it’s just how humans work. Real change doesn’t come from big leaps. It comes from simple, steady steps tha

Wednesday, December 17, 2025

As the holidays approach, calendars fill up quickly. But taking just a little time before December 31 may allow you to feel more prepared going into the new year. Here are 12 simple planning steps to help you wrap up the year.

Friday, December 12, 2025

Every year, the IRS reviews retirement plan contribution limits and adjusts them for the cost of living. These changes might sound technical, but they can influence how much you’re able to set aside for your future—as an individual, as...

Tuesday, December 9, 2025

As the year winds down, it’s worth asking yourself: Am I only focused on my “stocking stuffers” — the things that bring quick satisfaction? Or am I also making room for the “big gifts” — the ones that grow slowly and bring meaning later?

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Running a small business takes grit, time, and heart. You’ve built something that supports your family, your employees, and your community. But what happens when you’re ready to slow down or step away?

Thursday, November 27, 2025

“I think I’ve got a 401(k)… somewhere.” Many workers in leave retirement opportunities on the table, often without realizing it. Today, we’re breaking down three key areas to check in your 401(k) and retirement accounts, so you can turn mis

Monday, November 17, 2025

The holidays are a wonderful time of year — but they can also bring a lot of financial stress. Between gift-giving, travel, and family obligations, it’s easy to feel like your finances are spiraling out of control. Even when your accounts a

Tuesday, November 11, 2025

Online scams aren’t just a “big city” problem anymore — they’ve reached rural communities, too. Every year, more families, retirees, and small business owners in towns like ours find themselves the targets of increasingly sophisticated...

Wednesday, November 5, 2025

Navigating health insurance and benefits can feel overwhelming. Between Medicare, supplements, workplace plans, and open enrollment deadlines, it’s easy to feel stuck or make mistakes that cost time and money. The good news? Breaking...

Friday, October 24, 2025

October brings out all kinds of spooky things—ghosts, goblins, haunted houses. But if you ask many retirees, the real fright doesn’t come from a costume or a horror movie. The scariest surprises often show up in the form of unexpected...

Friday, October 17, 2025

As the year winds down, many investors find themselves asking the same question: Am I still on track? After a volatile year, it’s natural to feel anxious about whether your money is positioned the right way. Market swings can push your...

Tuesday, October 7, 2025

October in the Midwest is harvest season. Farmers are putting in long days, working around unpredictable weather, and hoping all their preparation pays off. If you’ve ever felt like retirement planning—or financial planning in...

Monday, September 29, 2025

Money can be a sensitive subject in relationships. For many couples, financial decisions are among the most stressful parts of life together. Different spending styles, family backgrounds, or simply the fear of conflict can make money...

Friday, September 12, 2025

For many farmers, retirement looks very different than it does for folks in other professions. Instead of relying mainly on a 401(k) or pension, much of a farmer’s retirement nest egg is tied up in the farm itself — the land, the...

Monday, September 1, 2025

We all have blind spots. When you’re driving, a blind spot is that area you just can’t see without adjusting your mirrors or turning your head. With money, it’s very similar — there are habits, assumptions, and risks we might overlook...

Friday, August 22, 2025

When we think about retirement, we often picture the good parts: more time for family, hobbies, or slowing down to enjoy life. But there’s another part of retirement planning many families overlook—planning for long-term care costs....

Wednesday, August 13, 2025

At some point, you may need to pull money from your investments—whether for a large purchase, an unexpected expense, or as part of a retirement income strategy. It might sound simple, but choosing where to take that distribution can...

Friday, July 25, 2025

If you’re under 40, you may be balancing career growth, family plans, debt management, and saving for the future. These years are an important time to shape your financial habits and prepare for the decades ahead. Here are some...

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

President Trump’s recently signed “One Big Beautiful Bill” is a sweeping piece of tax legislation that could affect many aspects of your financial life, from your paycheck to your Social Security benefits and small business deductions....

Tuesday, July 8, 2025

A Roth conversion involves moving funds from a pre-tax account, such as a traditional IRA, into a Roth IRA.

Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Some of life’s most significant financial shifts don’t come with a date on the calendar. They arrive through personal milestones—often quietly—and require thoughtful planning to navigate well. Below are seven life transitions many of...

Tuesday, June 17, 2025

We often meet people who are investing - sometimes for years - without realizing their strategy isn't working for the rest of their financial life. That's why we put together this checklist, as a tool to help you evaluate if your...

Sunday, June 15, 2025

A lot of people think retirement planning starts after they've picked a date - but in reality, your most important moves happen 5-10 years before you stop working. That's why we created this short self-assessment: Is Your Retirement...

Thursday, June 12, 2025

Your legacy matters! We're here to help you plan for the future - whether you have your family, your business, or your community in mind. To help get you started, we've created our Legacy Building Roadmap, a guide to help you clarify...

Tuesday, June 10, 2025

When we think about poor financial decisions, we often assume they’re caused by a lack of knowledge or education. But in reality, that’s rarely the case. Many of the people we work with — business owners, professionals, leaders — are...

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

When people first sit down to talk about financial planning, one question comes up time and time again:“What kind of account should I be using to save?” Whether you’re building a nest egg, thinking about retirement, or just trying to...

Friday, April 25, 2025

Running a business takes vision. But what’s your vision for life after the business? Whether you plan to retire, hand it off to family, or sell in the future, a thoughtful transition doesn’t happen overnight.

Monday, November 20, 2023

While the holiday season is ideally a time for family and friends, it is also the best time to review tax strategies for the coming year. Tax planning includes topics such as tax-loss harvesting, choices of...

Monday, November 6, 2023

The holiday season is a time of joy, celebration, and giving. However, with all of the holiday excitement comes the need for careful financial planning. Did you know that the average American spends almost $1,500 on...

Tuesday, October 17, 2023

The traditional retirement age in the United States is 65, the age at which most people are eligible to begin receiving full Social Security benefits. But many people feel the allure of leaving the workforce much sooner. Many Americans...

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Find out why it is so important to invest early and stay invested through challenging times.

Monday, September 18, 2023

Imagine you could simply close your eyes and find yourself living your dream retirement. What does it look like? Lounging by serene beaches or strolling through familiar streets? Regardless of when you retire or how you plan to spend...

Friday, September 8, 2023

Receiving Social Security benefits is advantageous in retirement, but like almost every other form of income, these benefits are taxed by the government. To accurately predict your retirement income (and taxes), it’s important to...

Thursday, August 24, 2023

Equity compensation is an attractive benefit that many companies offer to employees. It can be a valuable way to reward and motivate employees by giving them a share of the company’s ownership. If you’re new to equity...

Wednesday, August 2, 2023

When the kids leave the nest and the family home seems too big and requires too much work to maintain, many retirees opt for new living arrangements. For many, the dream is to relocate to a warmer climate and a small patio home. Others...

Sunday, July 16, 2023

Let's admit it: Planning for taxes is not the most fun activity. There are likely (many) other things you would rather be doing. But accurate tax planning is important for your overall financial health. Planning early for taxes can...

Tuesday, June 27, 2023

When it comes to managing your financial future, finding the right financial advisor and investment firm is crucial. Beyond technical expertise, credentials, and pricing, there are intangible qualities that can greatly enhance the...

Sunday, June 11, 2023

When you retire, you’ll likely draw your income from several sources—such as retirement accounts, taxable investment accounts, and Social Security Benefits. Each of these sources is taxed according to its own rules. So, in order to...

Tuesday, March 14, 2023

A disaster plan can help your business survive a worst-case scenario. What would happen to your business after a fire, a massive data breach or the sudden loss of a key employee? Would it recover? How long would it take? If you’ve...

Wednesday, February 22, 2023

Reaching six figures is no easy feat. If you’re one of the hard-working few who has made it to this Milestone, give yourself a pat on the back. But before you go reaching for a bottle of champagne or calling a sports car dealer,...

Monday, December 5, 2022

Choosing the right commercial insurance plan for your business can be a challenge. We have developed many different options and programs to meet the needs of our commercial insurance clients, no matter the business. Helping you find...

Sunday, October 23, 2022

In this era of evolving rural demographics, financial planning for those in agriculture can present challenges and obstacles that most people never have to consider. Unlike W-2 wage earners, agricultural professionals and other small...

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

As you grow your business to $1 million and beyond, the teams and systems that got you to your million-dollar goal aren’t going to be enough to get you to your next goal. Less than 10 percent of small businesses (under 500 employees)...

Wednesday, July 13, 2022

Hiring and retaining top talent is essential for growing a successful company as well as employee satisfaction. However, as business owners know, hiring anyone, let alone good employees, can be difficult. The added benefits of...

Tuesday, June 14, 2022

As an employer, offering a 401(k) to your employees is a great way to retain a motivated workforce while attracting new talent. But, like most retirement vehicles, there are some legal points to keep in mind. First, by offering a...

Friday, May 20, 2022

I’ll figure it out when I’m ready to retire, which is the day after never …. That is the response we get from small business owners when we ask how much their business is worth. The wealth of nearly two-thirds (70%) of all small...

Tuesday, April 19, 2022

At the most basic level, business transition planning is a strategy that can be put into play when a business is sold or changes hands. For company owners nearing retirement, a successful transition plan can play an important part in...

Sunday, April 17, 2022

You’ve got that little voice in the back of your mind telling you it’s time for the next adventure. You’ve put in thousands upon thousands of hours of your blood, sweat, and tears to build your business into something incredible....

Wednesday, March 30, 2022

As an Entrepreneur in a rural community, building a successful business hinges just as much on your core business idea as it does on who you know and your ability to raise enough capital. Obtaining a business loan is challenging but so...

Friday, February 25, 2022

If you're considering offering an employer-sponsored retirement plan, a 401(k) is a popular option for small business and large corporations alike. In 2020 there were about 600,000 401(k) retirement plans with over 60 million active...

Tuesday, January 25, 2022

If you are a small business owner and you intend to pass your business on to the next generation, developing a business succession plan should be top of mind when considering the future of your company. Eventually, you will want (or...

Sunday, January 9, 2022

This is the golden age of entrepreneurship. From a college dropout with a brilliant business idea, to an excellent home baker starting an online bakery, entrepreneurs today are changing the tides of traditional businesses. But with 50%...

Thursday, December 9, 2021

As a small business owner, you are focused on running your business. Whether that be sales, marketing, bookkeeping, and so much more; you have your hands full. There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes in making your business...

Friday, November 19, 2021

Building a business from scratch is an exciting venture and choosing a business structure is an integral step in the process. Not only is each business structure taxed differently, but they all offer different levels of protection...

Saturday, October 30, 2021

Small businesses serve as the backbone of our economy, as 31.7 million of them exist in the United States alone. And if you run a family business, you understand the importance of preparing and communicating openly with those who are...

Wednesday, September 1, 2021

Starting your own business can be like having a baby — a very important life decision that might not always be a rational one. 9 months into your 9-5 maybe “dull” job and you might decide to take the proverbial exit from the freeway,...

Friday, August 6, 2021

Whether you’re thinking about retiring, selling your business, purchasing another or somewhere in between, a business valuation is the first step to determining the value of a business. Preparing for a business valuation isn’t...