Estate Planning Simplified: Understanding Wills & Trusts

While it can be easy for people to back-burner estate planning due to busy schedules or thinking they have plenty of time to get around to it, doing so can result in property and financial assets passing to unintended heirs in unintentional ways. Without the proper planning, your heirs coul …

Estate Planning Checklist

Are you one of the many Americans who don’t have an estate plan? No matter how few or how many assets you have, an estate plan can help you preserve your legacy and provide clarity to your surviving family.   If you’re not sure where to begin, our estate planning checklist can help you get  …

Facts vs Feelings The Glass Half Full — Will Higher Oil Prices Cause a Recession?

In this third episode of The Glass Half Full, Ryan Detrick, Chief Market Strategist at Carson Group, and Sonu Varghese, Chief Macro Strategist at Carson Group, take a closer look at the real economic impact of rising gas prices. With crude hovering around $100, how will this affect consumer …

Your Money

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Webinar: Tax-Smart Strategies — How Women Can Design Their Wealth Plan with Purpose and Intention

Over the next two decades, more than $51 trillion is expected to transfer to women as surviving spouses, making this one of the most significant wealth shifts in history. Yet many women tell us their biggest financial concern isn’t investing—it’s paying too much in taxes.  This webinar is d …

What Documents You Should Provide to Your Tax Preparer

It’s February, so it’s officially tax season! One of the most common client questions heard by tax preparers is, “So, what do you need from me?” The short answer to that question is, often, “Everything.”  But that isn’t helpful, nor is it entirely true. And this year, thanks to the passage …

Webinar: A Proactive Approach to Tax Planning

Are you ready to become wiser about your wealth? Learn about smart tax planning in A Proactive Approach to Tax Planning: Safeguarding and Growing Your Lifetime Wealth, now available for viewing. In this on-demand webinar, Carson’s Managing Partner and Chief Tax Strategist Debbie Taylo …

2026 Calendar: Key Tasks & Financial Dates

2026 Calendar: Key Tasks & Financial Dates

Tackle 2026 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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3 Things All Valuable Businesses Have

Building a business that’s truly valuable takes more than hard work and good timing. It’s about creating something that can thrive, adapt, and grow—with or without you at the helm.  Whether you’re planning for a future sale or succession or simply want to build long-term value, it’s importa …

Is Your Business Worth as Much as You Think?

As a business owner, you already know your company has value. It supports your lifestyle, pays your employees, and provides products or services your clients rely on. But here’s the big question: If someone asked you today what your business is worth, could you give them a confident answer? …

4 Unforeseen Third-Party Sales Challenges for Small Business Owners

Many business owners assume their exit path will be a sale to a third party. In fact, some entrepreneurs start their businesses with the goal of finding a larger buyer, selling the business, and moving on to their next business idea. A cash sale can definitely draw business owners toward th …

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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Are Retirement Plan Contributions Tax-Deductible?

Retirement plans like 401(k)s and IRAs can be an easy and effective way to save for retirement. Many investors favor these accounts for their significant tax advantages, which can include pre-tax or tax-deductible contributions.  Contributions to a 401(k), traditional IRA, and other retirem …

Why & How to Use a Roth IRA Conversion in Retirement Planning

With larger traditional IRA account balances and changing tax laws, Roth IRA conversions have emerged as a compelling strategy in retirement planning, offering a range of benefits and opportunities. Converting your tax-deferred retirement plans to a Roth IRA can be a strategic move, particu …

The Basics of Required Minimum Distributions With Your Retirement Account

Many retirement accounts—including 401(k)s and IRAs—give individuals the ability to save for retirement in a potentially tax-advantaged manner. Contributions are often tax-deductible, and gains are tax-deferred. This means your retirement funds can grow without being taxed until you start w …

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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Estate Planning Simplified: Understanding Wills & Trusts

While it can be easy for people to back-burner estate planning due to busy schedules or thinking they have plenty of time to get around to it, doing so can result in property and financial assets passing to unintended heirs in unintentional ways. Without the proper planning, your heirs coul …

Estate Planning Checklist

Are you one of the many Americans who don’t have an estate plan? No matter how few or how many assets you have, an estate plan can help you preserve your legacy and provide clarity to your surviving family.   If you’re not sure where to begin, our estate planning checklist can help you get  …

Is a Donor-Advised Fund for Charitable Giving a Good Fit?

A donor-advised fund (DAF) is a charitable giving account that can play a valuable role in a charitable giving strategy—popular for its tax efficiency, flexibility, and simplicity. This resource can help you determine if a DAF could be worth considering as a useful addition to your overall …

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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Webinar: Tax-Smart Strategies — How Women Can Design Their Wealth Plan with Purpose and Intention

Over the next two decades, more than $51 trillion is expected to transfer to women as surviving spouses, making this one of the most significant wealth shifts in history. Yet many women tell us their biggest financial concern isn’t investing—it’s paying too much in taxes.  This webinar is d …

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.

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 The Glass Half Full — Will Higher Oil Prices Cause a Recession?

In this third episode of The Glass Half Full, Ryan Detrick, Chief Market Strategist at Carson Group, and Sonu Varghese, Chief Macro Strategist at Carson Group, take a closer look at the real economic impact of rising gas prices. With crude hovering around $100, how will this affect consumer …

Weekly Market Commentary: Middle East Conflict May Move the Fed

The S&P 500 fell 1.6% last week as investors continue to assess the market impact of the conflict in the Middle East. We’ve seen some big market swings on changing headlines, especially in oil. On Monday, hope was the war in Iran would be over soon, but that quickly lost steam and crude …

Facts vs Feelings The Glass Half Full — How Much Does Iran Matter?

In this episode of The Glass Half Full, hosts Ryan Detrick, Chief Market Strategist, and Sonu Varghese, Chief Macro Strategist, discuss rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and what disruptions near the Strait of Hormuz could mean for global energy markets, the economy, and inves …

Market Outlook 2026: Riding the Wave

Market Outlook 2026: Riding the Wave

Our Market Outlook 2026: Riding the Wave is geared toward helping investors navigate the ongoing bull market as we enter the new year. Carson Investment Research provides crucial insights and analysis of the opportunities and challenges facing investors.

In the News

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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.

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.