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Economic Activity and Our Recession Oppression

The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) officially announced in June that the U.S. economy is officially in a recession. The NBER committee determined that the peak in monthly economic activity occurred in February 2020. The peak marks the end of an expansion that began in June 2009. The expansion lasted 128 months, now the longest expansion in U.S. business cycles on record dating back to 1854.

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Investments Article

June Stock Market is Showing Big Divergences

Last month, Jason newcomer, CFP®, and Financial Planner, and I discussed how we thought volatility was bound to creep back into the markets. As I write this article, the markets are now over 2000 points below where they peaked earlier in June. Today we'll discuss that big divergence in June stock market performance.

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Investments Article

Is the National Debt Too High?

I can't count the number of times that, during a discussion about the economy with a client or a friend, the question of our national debt has come up. To a person, they're worried about how far in debt our country is to other countries, and how significant that debt is as a percentage of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP). 

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The Guided Retirement Show

Investments Podcast

Managing Your Portfolio in Times of Crisis

Episode 24 - Bud Kasper, CFP®, AIF® | President Barber Financial Group Lee's Summit

Returning to the podcast today for this special episode is Bud Kasper, President of Barber Financial Group Lee’s Summit office. Bud has over 37 years in this industry, has seen all kinds of bear markets, and all kinds of recessions. He has helped countless clients make the most of what can be a painful, difficult time.

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Investments Podcast

How to Invest in Real Estate for Retirement

Episode 23 - Dr. Randy Anderson | President Griffin Capital Asset Management Company, LLC

Joining me today is Dr. Randy Anderson. He holds a Ph.D. in economics and has focused his career on real estate investing. Together, we discuss the nuances and challenges of the real estate industry, the opportunities investors have to purchase high-quality real estate right now, and how to avoid complicating your taxes as you do it.

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Coronavirus & Your Retirement

COVID-19 has ravaged the global economies in recent weeks, unfortunately leaving an average indentation on retirement portfolios of Americans of $16,000 as of the close on March 9, 2020. For those who are preparing to retire shortly, you may be rethinking those plans due to concerns about having your retirement savings damaged enough to where maybe working a bit longer seems like a good idea.

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Understanding Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)

When you reach age 70 ½, you must begin to draw funds from your traditional (i.e., non-Roth) Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs).

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401(k) Action Steps

Every time you change jobs, you need to make some choices about what to do with your old 401(k) so that it keeps up with your financial needs.

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The SECURE Act & Your Retirement: An Expert Roundtable

Here's the truth: The SECURE Act has changed everything. You basically have three choices on where you can send your money when you pass on. It can be to a charity, the ones you love, or to the government. And the SECURE Act has basically ensured that if you do nothing, the third option will be your choice.

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Choosing a Financial Advisor Video

Choosing the right financial advisor for your is an important process. Here are some things to consider when you're making your decision.

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Video

Savvy IRA Planning for Boomers

Financial Advisor Drew Jones presents an updated version of our Savvy IRA Planning for Boomers webinar. IRA Planning is a complex process. Factor in recent changes from the SECURE Act, and it gets even further complicated. We're here to clear up the noise as Drew presents Savvy IRA Planning for Boomers.

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