Powell's Pivot: Dovish Fed Sees Rate Cuts in ‘24. For much of 2023, the financial markets had anticipated the Fed would drop rates in 2024. The table below was from October 2023, when market watchers anticipated two rate cuts in 2024. But two weeks later, at its November meeting, Powell said the Fed had no interest in cutting rates anytime soon. Ben Taatjes breaks-down how this affects investors and ways we consider market news.

Stewardship With Your Investments. The 2nd Annual Lakes Area Pickleball Paddle Battle Tournament is coming up on December 9th. Also, It is "Giving Tuesday", this is following Thanksgiving and Black Friday. How you can use tactical and tax smart ways to utilize your investments to donate to charities. 

Celebrate Thanksgiving by 'Thanks-Living' with Gratitude. The 2nd annual Paddle Battle Pickleball Tournament is coming up on Saturday, December 9th. Ben Taatjes also discusses measuring your gains, not only financially, but in life, compared to where you may have been a year prior.

IRS Releases 2024 Tax Brackets, Retirement Contribution Limits. The Internal Revenue Service recently released updated income tax brackets, standard deduction, and retirement contribution limits for the 2024 tax year. While these taxes are not due for some time, it may benefit you to start thinking ahead. Overall, more than 60 provisions have changed. Here are a few of the most critical tax bracket and retirement contribution limit changes.

Looking at the Current Interest Rates in a Positive Manner.  How can you use these rates to make your money work for you? In this episode, Ben Taatjes speaks about the higher interest rates, how you can build your wealth to use as income in retirement and making sure that your goals, as a person, are aligned with your money. 
 

Social Security is the Easiest Retirement Money You Will Spend.  Having reoccurring income in retirement is a crucial part of your overall plan. Social Security creates a regular paycheck that, in our experience, clients have had the easiest time spending. In this episode, Ben Taatjes explains the importance of spending versus saving in retirement. 
 

Bond Yields Rise; Government Shutdown Looms.  The bond market drove stock prices for much of last week as investors fretted about rising bond yields. After beginning the week with small gains, stocks resumed their September decline amid weak housing data and a decline in consumer confidence.
 

Adopting an Abundant Mindset with Money.  In this episode, Ben Taatjes CKA® shares how an abundant mindset paves the way to create, add value to others and not let money have a grip on a person's life.
 

 Is Your Financial Advisor More than an Account Manager?  Last week Taatjes Financial Group hosted our annual Fall Kick-off Open House. Not only was the open house a wonderful time of great wood-fired pizza and cupcakes, it was a reminder of the deep and meaningful relationships we have with our clients. In this episode, Ben Taatjes CKA® explains the role we desire to play during wonderful and difficult seasons of our clients' lives.
 

Investing Checklist: Things to Do by Now Autumn is Here.  Ben Taatjes CKA® share three to-do’s to check off your list as an investor now that fall is upon us.
 

September Stocks Open in Positive Territory.  Investor sentiment turned positive last week as signs of economic softness were interpreted as reason for the Fed to hold off on further rate hikes. A downward revision of Q2 economic growth and fresh signs of a cooling labor market reversed the recent rise in bond yield. They helped trigger a stock bounce back following Fed Chair Powell’s speech at Jackson Hole the previous Friday.
 

Stocks Weather Summer Storm of News and Indicators.  Rising bond yields, driven primarily by strong economic data and the release of the minutes from July’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting that pointed toward Fed officials’ potential need to raise rates further, weighed on stocks throughout the week. Ben Taatjes CKA® explains the side-effects of rising interest rates on an investors’ lives and their portfolios.
 

Risk Profiles and the Cruelty of Math on Portfolios.  In our experience, many investors tend to forgot how cruel math is on a portfolio when markets go down – meaning the more portfolio values go down, the greater the returns needed to regain those losses. Ben Taatjes CKA® explains the importance of having the proper risk tolerance and ways to self-manage emotions during turbulent market seasons.
 

Every Investor Needs to Know These Three Things About Their Portfolio.  The stock market is a complex world. While knowing of all the intricacies of investing and the global economic structure are unnecessary, Ben Taatjes, CKA® breaks-down the three key pieces of information you need to know about your own portfolio.
 

The Fed Raises Rates. Recession Dodged. Are We in the Clear? Even though The Fed raised interest rates by 0.25% last week, the market responded positively Friday with strong earnings data. So, we have dodged a recession yet again. Or, have we? Ben Taatjes, CKA® talks about the possible “lag-effect” when The Fed increases rates and what you need for your portfolio.
 

Is Inflation (Still) Stealing the Joy in Your Life and Retirement? Even though year-to-year inflation rate increases dropped to the lowest reading in over two years, price hikes are still affecting retirees. However, does paying more at grocery stores, restaurants and the gas pump have to derail the joy you experience in your life? Financial Advisor, Matt Hoekstra, not only says no, he also gives the key to battling inflation and a scarcity mindset.
 

What if Negative Market Predictions Actually Come True? After all the hubbub regarding an on-coming recession and out-of-control inflation at the beginning of 2023, a much more positive reality has transpired. This highlights the importance of a sound mind for investors not letting fear dominate your decision-making. Financial Advisor, Tim Mattern NSSA®, discusses the mindset you must have NOW even if bad market predictions come true.
 

Wasn't There Supposed to be a Recession? In advance of 2023, the recession drum beats were so loud it was deafening. Market pundits warned that as the Fed raised interest rates, it was just a matter of time before the economy entered a recession. But it’s July now, and so far, no recession. It appears that the economy is slipping into an expansion rather than moving toward a recession.
 

How to Make Every Day Count in Retirement. Retirement removes all guardrails in your schedule which used to tell you when to sleep, awake, eat, exercise and work. Ben Taatjes tells us how to make every day count by reconstructing these three rhythms to your day.
 

Retirement Should NOT be Primarily a Financial Conversation. One of the biggest lies we have seen in nearly two decades of helping people retire is the relentless focus on the financials. While having a sound retirement plan is absolutely vital, we believe the narrative on retirement planning should transcend just money.

The Conversation You Need to Have NOW with Family. Unfortunately, the wealth transfer process between a deceased parent and their children is often messier and more hurtful than expected. Financial Advisor, Matt Hoekstra has seen too many families’ relationships suffer due to unmet expectations. Matt explains how to approach this delicate conversation and ways to make sure your family dynamic doesn’t suffer when sifting-out the death of a parent.

Three Things you Need to Review this Summer. Summer is here and now is a great time to do a financial check-up. Financial Advisor, Kendra Peterson, talks about three areas of your financial plan that may need attention or updating.

Knowing Where Your Taxes Go. Today we talk about everyone’s favorite topic….taxes! Probably not the case. However, Ben Taatjes discusses this timely topic as government spending continues to increase and debt ceiling negotiations continue. Bottom line, do you know where your taxes are going?

The Company that Supports TFG. Ben Taatjes and Jerrid Sebesta reflect on a recent trip to Dallas, TX to visit TFG’s home office, Avantax. Avantax is a 1000+ employee company responsible for and dedicated to the smooth and quick financial transactions our clients are accustomed to experiencing.

How Much Cash Do You Have? This is a question we’re asking more than ever to clients for two reasons. First of all, for the first time in many years, cash is creating a solid rate of return. So, having an abundance of cash on-hand may not be the best strategy. And secondly, having large stores of cash may reveal possible red flags for people having too much of a “someday” mentality.

Key Financial Planning Ages. Since we’re celebrating Ben Taatjes’ birthday, we cover a number of key financial ages starting with 50 years-old when people can begin catch-up contributions – ending with 73 years-old, respectively, when RMDs begin and every significant age in between.

Latest Inflation Rates and Summer Projects. As summer quickly approaches, Ben Taatjes CKA® talks about ways investors can use this time to do "summer projects" along with updated inflation numbers from the U.S. Department of Labor.

Three Things Retirees Should Consider for Financial Literacy Month. In light of the final week of Financial Literacy Month, Ben Taatjes gives three specific things retirees can do to help their families and their retirement.

Tax Season Has Ended, Now What Do I Do? Even though tax season has officially ended, this is an important time for retirees and pre-retirees. Ben Taatjes CKA® gives three specific things you can do to utilize the remainder of 2023 and be better prepared for next year’s tax season.

Creating Meaningful Connections with Grandchildren. In lieu of our next online event, "Grand Connections: Creating Deep, Meaningful Connections with Grandchildren", Ben Taatjes shares two meaningful stories about his grandfather. He also explains the privilege and crucial role grandparents play in a family. 

Who's Who in Uncertain Times? Ben Taatjes CKA® talks about the protection and regulatory controls of Avantax and National Financial Services, LLC in these uncertain times and we announce our next online seminar, "Grand Connections: Creating Deep, Meaningful Connections with Grandchildren", coming up on April 12th at 11am Central.