Van Dam Financial Group - Northwestern Mutual

Equities rode a wave of investor optimism to close out August on a high note. Here’s Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte’s look at what risks the Fed believes still exist and how investors can manage them.

Investors’ Confidence Sends Markets Higher Stocks closed higher thanks to a resurgence of investors’ confidence. But does the economic data warrant current valuations?

Your first child changes your life in the most amazing ways. But it also changes your finances. Are your finances ready for a baby? Take our quiz to find out.

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Equities climbed last week thanks to more confirmation that the Fed is ready to cut rates. Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte looks at why the Fed may be limited in how far it can go to stem an economic slowdown.

Some Investors Expect Rate Cuts Will Save the Day, but Will the Economy Follow the Script? Will the Fed’s rate cuts be enough to save the day? Or is the economy following a different script?

There are three key reasons to do it sooner rather than later—and you may be surprised by how affordable it can be.

Here’s Why I Bought Life Insurance on My Children, and You Should Too Learn why life insurance for kids can be a smart financial move for more than the death benefit. Here's how life insurance for children can build security and cash value.

We try to volunteer as a team once a month. This month we volunteered with iCan Bike/Anne Carlsen Center where we helped children with disabilities learn how to ride bike! It was a fun opportunity and by the end those kids had us running at a pretty good clip! 🏃 🏃‍♀️

❓ Who should we volunteer with next? We would love to hear about other local non-profits that could benefit from our team helping them!

Markets surged last week on encouraging economic headlines. Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte digs into the details to see whether the good times can continue.

Why Not Too Hot nor Too Cold May Not Be Just Right Economic headlines last week offered an incomplete story of the economy. We sift through the details for a clearer picture.

Northwestern Mutual’s latest survey shows just one in four Americans expect to leave an inheritance. But there’s more than one way to leave a legacy.

Ways to Leave a Financial Legacy You can’t take it with you. But you can make a plan for passing along what happens to what you’ve earned—and learned—after you’re gone.

Recent economic data shows why a soft landing may be difficult for the Fed to achieve. Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte weighs in with his take on what investors should consider as they prepare for more bumps ahead.

Markets Bounce Back, but Risks Remain Last week’s market volatility may be just the beginning. We look at how investors can brace for more turbulence ahead.

Ever wondered if you’re missing out on something financially? Read this article to discover some of the most common blind spots, and then let’s connect and start turning yours into opportunities.

6 Things That Should Be Part of Your Financial Plan Did you know 87 percent of Americans say they have financial blind spots? Here are six.

Will a September rate cut be enough to prevent the economy from tipping into recession? Our Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte offers his take.

Fed Signals Rate Cuts Are Coming—Now Comes the Hard Part News of a likely rate cut in September was overshadowed by weak economic data. We look at why investors’ concerns are warranted.

Try these ideas to help you avoid overspending.

6 Tips to Help You Save on Back-to-School Shopping  Take stock of what you (and your community) already have on hand. You might find your list has shortened significantly before you hit the stores.

Congratulations, Matt for achieving your RICP! Your hard work and dedication to grow, learn and continuously improve your knowledge does not go unnoticed!

He is now caught up to Neil, so there might be some office competition now for who will get the next designation! 😉

Conflicting data gives some investors hope the Fed can achieve a soft landing. Get Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte’s take as he explores the latest stock market trends, inflation data and Fed strategies in this week’s Market Commentary.

Markets End Volatile Week on High Note Amid Mixed Signals In this week’s Market Commentary, Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte explores the latest stock market trends, inflation data and Fed strategies.

We would like to thank our clients and our community for the love and support! We are honored to be named Platinum Financial Advisors of Fargo by CommunityVotes Fargo 2024 for the second year in arrow and new this year, Platinum in Mutual Funds!!
Congratulations to all winners!
https://fargo.communityvotes.com/2024/02

Cash value is a unique financial asset that can help you add flexibility to your broader financial plan. I’m happy to help you learn more about how it works.

What Is the Cash Value of Permanent Life Insurance? Cash value life insurance provides more than just a death benefit. See how this insurance works and how it can help benefit your financial plan.

Investors move away from big tech as speculation about a potential rate cut grows. Find out why in this week’s Market Commentary.

Shifting Sands: Investors Move From Big Tech Amid Rate Cut Speculation As the economy shows signs of slowing, investors move from big tech to other sectors. We explore whether a rate cut this fall could prevent a recession.

We are excited to share another team member has achieved designation! Our Portfolio Manager, Zach Rohleder has received his designation as Qualified Plan Financial Consultant! This designation reflects his commitment to working with retirement plans, specifically employer sponsored plans as a fiduciary role and or helping the plan manager their roles and responsibilities. While his primary responsibilities will continue to be ongoing account maintenance and reallocation, Zach is a great resource for anyone who has questions about a new or existing employer-sponored plan (401(k), SIMPLE IRA, etc.).

Congratulations, Zach!!

Assessing one component of your financial plan each month is a great way to keep tabs on your fiscal health.

Your Midyear Financial Checkup This checklist can help you make sure your finances are on track for the rest of the year. Here’s what to assess for the next 6 months.

Investors cheered more soft inflation data out last week. Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte looks at why investors should focus on what’s driving the easing price pressures before popping the champagne.

More Progress on the Inflation Front Has Investors Cheering Soft inflation data gave investors reason to cheer. But are the markets overestimating the Fed’s willingness to cut rates?

Market performance for the second quarter may not be as strong as it appears. Here’s a timely analysis from our chief investment officer about the outsized impact a small number of businesses had on returns and where compelling opportunities still exist in a slowing economy.

Do the Markets Reflect a Widespread Suspension of Disbelief? In Northwestern Mutual’s Quarterly Market Commentary, we look at how some investors may be ignoring signs of a slowing economy.

Northwestern Mutual’s latest survey shows that Americans who work with a financial advisor have twice as much saved in their retirement plans.

Is a 401(k) a Retirement Plan? A 401(k) is important, but it’s just one piece of your retirement puzzle. Working with a financial advisor can help you complete the big picture.

Last week brought more signs of a slowing economy and a slowdown in the pace of wage growth. Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte looks at how that may play into the Fed’s decision-making and what it means for the economy.

Would a September Rate Cut Be Enough for the Economy? Investors are again betting on a rate cut in the fall. We take a closer look at whether that would be enough to avoid a recession..

As we celebrate our nation's freedom, we honor the courage men and women dedicated to preserving it!

Happy Independence Day!

The latest inflation figures show that price pressures are easing; unfortunately, so is the economy. Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte looks at why the Fed may feel handcuffed in making meaningful rate cuts even as the economy slows.

Inflation Reading Marks a Step in the Right Direction, but the Fed Likely Needs More Inflation appears to be heading in the right direction, but is it moving fast enough? We take a closer look for answers.

According to Northwestern Mutual’s 2024 Consumer Financial Blind Spots survey, 87 percent of Americans say they have blind spots in their financial plans. Take our self-assessment to find out what you may be missing. Then let’s find a better way to money, together.

Do You Have a Good Financial Plan? Take our online self-assessment to evaluate your financial plan. Find out if you have blind spots and uncover opportunities for a better way to money.

If you missed the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks Baseball game last night, there was a home run that hit the Van Dam Financial Group sign which means, one lucky person at the game won $500!!!
https://x.com/FMRedHawks/status/1806120502873747736?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1QvDz9ewms1UZCr6TKVby0-k-5giQxWO_woSWs70slKKkxMrjRDJcW-C4_aem_tdVWXAl7UKSX5RYdPaIOEQ

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It has been pretty quiet at the office this week with these two at Kamp KACE all week!

If you haven't heard of Kamp KACE before we would highly encourage you to check them out! It is a camp for kids who have or had cancer and their siblings. It is such a special experience for both the kids and volunteers and is something Neil and Marshall look forward to every summer! This will be Neil's14th year volunteering and Marshall's 2nd year.

https://www.kampkace.org/

Since the end of COVID, normally reliable indicators of the economy have seemingly missed the mark. Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte looks at how the muddied picture may affect timing of rate cuts.

Latest Data Follows a Familiar Trend and Further Complicates the Fed’s Job Inconsistent and sometimes contradictory data is making the Fed’s job more difficult and may lead to rates staying higher for longer.

We get a lot of questions from folks who try to compare whole life insurance to other financial options. But it’s tough to make such a comparison because whole life insurance is truly unique. This piece does a great job explaining why.

How Whole Life Insurance Can Help You With Multiple Financial Goals There’s a lot more to whole life insurance than its death benefit.