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
MoreHealth 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.
Winning in 2025: Tax Strategies for a Thriving Year
Want to plan better for next year’s tax return? Learn about smart tax planning in our Winning in 2025: Tax Strategies for a Thriving Year webinar, now available for viewing on-demand.
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
MoreBusiness Exit Strategy: Supporting Your Employees While Selling Your Business
This material is provided by Barrington Wealth Management and written by Rob Garber from Strategic Talent Resources, a non-affiliate of CWM, LLC. Taking the next step. You’ve built a successful business. Assembled a great team. Forged strong relationships with your customers. And now it’s t …
Tax-Saving Strategies for Business Owners
Selling a high-value asset often comes with a significant downside: paying a substantial portion of your proceeds to the IRS. Fortunately, there are strategies that can help you retain more of your hard-earned gains, even after tax season.
Business Owner, Are You Really Ready?
Ask yourself this – who will you be, not what will you do. Life is full of changes. I still remember my high school English teacher saying, “The only thing constant in life is change itself.” Selling a business or transitioning it to the next generation is one of these many changes. So what …
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
MoreTax 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
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
MoreHow 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
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
MoreCompounding 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.
The Three Components of a Successful Business Exit Plan Strategy
Chloe Quigley, CEPA, Business Exit Planning Advisor What’s the most important thing when selling your business? Certified Exit Planning Advisors know that there are three equally important components of an exit plan:
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
MoreFacts 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
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
More3 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.
10 Common Estate Planning Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
Estate planning and end of life planning are about taking control of your situation. Death and long-term care later in life might be hard to fathom right now, but we can’t put off planning out of fear of the unknown or because it’s unpleasant. Don’t wait for life to happen to you, though.
4 Ways To Improve Your Estate Plan
Most people want to plan for a good life and a good retirement, so why not plan for a good end of life, too? Let’s look at four ways you can refine your estate plan, protect your assets and create a level of control and certainty for your loved ones.