Ed Scheer, MBA, CFP, CHSNC - TriWealth Partners

I am frequently asked for an opinion about what will happen to the markets given the upcoming elections this fall. Here's a great, and very short video from Dimensional Fund Advisors to remind us that we invest in companies--not political parties and have been rewarded over time regardless of elections. Enjoy!

Elections and the March of Markets | Dimensional It’s natural for investors to seek a connection between who wins the White House and which way stocks will go. But a look at history underscores that the outcome of an election is only one of many inputs to the market.

Something to think about:

For everyone going through the college visit process, here are some great questions to think about asking.

Don’t Waste Your College Visit: Ask The Right Questions If you have been on a college tour or attended an information session, you have likely heard visitors ask about everything, from the absurd to the mundane.

The resource fair at Harper College for families with special needs was a success. Many families attended and found incredible resources and information to help them during their child's transition phase (age 14.5 - 22 years old). This is the time when they start planning for their child's future beyond the high school.

Who will I see at The Future Begins Today resource fair for transition-aged students with special needs? This fair is put on by four local school districts and is open to the public. I will be there hosting a table and helping families understand financial planning for the special needs family.

Summary

Our close-knit Financial Services practice is seeking a friendly and hard-working person to join our team. Are you tired of your predictable, long days at work, where your drive and extra efforts are not recognized? Are you ready to regroup, grow your skills and advance beyond what you thought was possible? On our supportive team, the sky is the limit. You will be

appreciated and energized with new opportunities for your career advancement and earning potential, and generously rewarded for your efforts! Please do not apply for this position if you’re looking for the ho-hum, predictable daily grind, just-hang-on until retirement type of job.



Enjoy generous pay (range is between $60-80K), up to 4 weeks PTO, plus holidays, and a 4:00 daily dismissal time. *Yes, we actually pay a full-time salary for less than full-time work! Our firm has been known to celebrate “Pie Day” (3.14 day, for those who love numbers) among other random (but important) reasons to celebrate, have quarterly team events (during the business day), enjoy frequent 3pm dismissal on Fridays, annual bonuses and raises, and all the usual corporate stuff like health insurance, retirement plans with matching contributions, and probably some that we are forgetting.



The ideal candidate possesses:

– Communication skills. Form and maintain good relationships with our clients. It’s that simple.

– Proficiency in MS Excel, Outlook and Word.

– The ability to get your work done. Accurately and on time. Plain and simple!

– Manage time well. *See above. That means getting stuff done on time.



In this position you will:

– As a licensed assistant, we’ll need you to be able to execute trades, provide research analysis, help build financial plans (we use eMoney).

– Work directly with clients.

– Need to work well with others on the team. That should be easy, because they are all awesome! (Quote from one team member who has been with us for 15 years: “I love working here! The people are awesome.”)

– Prepare certain documents. Checklists are helpful.

– Follow up and close loops.

– Set appointments and help prepare for client meetings.

– Help fix problems fast.

– Chip in where we need you!



If you have your Series 7 and 66, then please send a cover letter, resume and references to: [email protected]

We had the privilege of learning about the amazing DuPage Foundation during our Lunch and Learn yesterday. We were joined by Michael and Kaitlyn from the DuPage Foundation, and Ed Scheer, MBA, CFP, CHSNC - TriWealth Partners for a discussion about the important role this philanthropic leader plays in benefitting residents and organizations in DuPage County, Illinois.

I was privileged to learn more about the DuPage Foundation and gain valuable insights from Mike Trench and Kaitlyn Miller Balsewicz.

We had the privilege of learning about the amazing DuPage Foundation during our Lunch and Learn yesterday. We were joined by Michael and Kaitlyn from the DuPage Foundation, and Ed Scheer, MBA, CFP, CHSNC - TriWealth Partners for a discussion about the important role this philanthropic leader plays in benefitting residents and organizations in DuPage County, Illinois.

There's a great way to combat all the pessimism in the world. This article offers some information:

How to Combat Gloom and Pessimism Blog Post | Education & Literacy How to Combat Gloom and Pessimism Given the inhospitable world we have evolved in, humans have learned to prioritize the bad news. Marian L. Tupy — Mar 8, 2024 Surveys show that optimism is highest in rapidly growing countries that are catching up with the develope...

👋 Hey everyone! As more Americans turn 65, it's crucial to understand your Social Security retirement age and its impact on your investment strategy. Here's what you need to know:

🔹 The full Social Security retirement age has gradually risen from 65 to 67 due to changes enacted in 1983.
🔹 Those born between 1943 and 1954 have a full retirement age of 66, while those born in 1960 or later have a full retirement age of 67.
🔹 Waiting until full retirement age ensures you receive 100% of the benefits you've earned.
🔹 If you delay claiming past your full retirement age and up to age 70, you can receive an 8% annual benefit increase.

Remember, the decisions about when to claim Social Security and sign up for Medicare should be made independently to maximize your benefits.

Have questions or concerns? We're happy to help.



Source:

As more Americans reach 65 than ever, here's what to know about your Social Security retirement age To get the biggest Social Security retirement benefit checks, it pays to wait.

Ahh, statistics will tell you what you want to hear.

Oxfam’s Questionable Income Inequality Numbers Blog Post | Income & Inequality Oxfam’s Questionable Income Inequality Numbers Oxfam’s imagination knows no bounds when it comes to reporting that the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. Rainer Zitelmann — Jan 17, 2024 Year after year, the anti-capitalist organization Oxfa...

The National Retirement Risk Index is a study published annually since 2010. In the latest findings they found that half of Americans haven't saved enough for retirement. I have tools to help you discover where you are on your journey for investing for retirement. We also can provide guaranteed income strategies that reduce your risk and provide income stability in retirement. Please reach out if you want to learn more.

National Retirement Risk Index – Center for Retirement Research National Retirement Risk IndexShare The National Retirement Risk Index (NRRI) measures the percentage of working-age households that are at risk of being unable to maintain their pre-retirement standard of living in retirement. It addresses one of the most compelling challenges facing the nation tod...

Today is National Savings Day--and a good reminder to take a look at your personal finances to ensure you are saving and investing appropriately as you work toward your financial goals. For a deeper dive into your strategy, we can help with a comprehensive financial plan!

NATIONAL SAVINGS DAY | October 12th - National Day Calendar October 12th is National Savings Day! Marlo Anderson gives a brief overview of this national day.READY TO JOIN IN ON THE CELEBRATION?Follow us!Facebook: face...

There are a lot of good resources at the Options Fair for transition-aged high school students and their families at York High School, including financial planning for special needs families.

Occasionally, I see one of our Econ Market Minute wrap ups have good information for investors. Here's a new one to share with you:

Three Investment Takeaways | LPL Econ Market Minute LPL Financial Chief Economist, Dr. Jeffrey Roach, shares three key takeaways for interpreting the macro landscape and what it means for investors.Tracking # ...

Even the most seasoned investors are prone to biases affecting their financial choices. Learn more in this message.

Do Our Biases Affect Our Financial Choices? Even the most seasoned investors have biases affecting their financial choices.

Here is a great blog on the fundamentals for investing success. If you don't have time to read the whole article (there are some great nuggets in here!!!) these are the 6 principles:
1) Investing will test your resolve. Have a support structure in place to remain patient and disciplined.
2) In investing for the long-run, it's rational to be an optimist.
3) Pay attention to how markets actually behave, not how we want or expect them to act.
4) Portfolio construction matters.
5) Don't set market expectation by your political views.
6) "Advisor alpha" can add significant value to a portfolio, even if you don't always see it.

6 Investing Principles for Long-Term Success Barry Gilbert, Vice President, Asset Allocation Strategist This is my inaugural blog as a member of the Carson Group Investment Research Team. I am

Keshet is a wonderful partner organization to Camp Chi--a summer camp in the Wisconsin Dells area. They are a wonderful organization providing kids with disabilities an equal and inclusive opportunity to do things that would otherwise be unavailable to them.

The benefits of inclusive camp for everyone How summer camps have changed, for the better, in recent years, becoming places where kids with disabilities can be fully integrated into camp life

Here's an interesting bit of news about saving for retirement. If you're curious about what it takes to save for your retirement, we have planning tools that can help answer your questions!

Survey: We have no idea how much we'll need for retirement Many workers have no idea how much they need to have saved for retirement, according to a survey by the nonprofit Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies TCRS, in collaboration with the Transamerica Institute.

📢 Important Lesson from Aretha Franklin Estate Battle! 🎶

🔑 Key Points:
Aretha Franklin's estate battle highlights the importance of having a proper will.
A Michigan jury validated a 2014 handwritten will found under a couch cushion.
Everyone should have a will or trust to ensure their property goes where they want.
Without a will, state law determines the distribution of assets.
Handwritten wills, known as holographic wills, are valid in certain states like Michigan.

💡 What You Need to Know:
A will details your wishes for property and assets after death.
It appoints an executor and can name guardians for minor children.
Dying without a will means dying intestate, with state laws determining asset distribution.
Aretha Franklin had two handwritten wills found after her death from pancreatic cancer in 2018.
Her sons disagreed over which will should govern the estate.

📜 Why Having a Will Matters:
The 2014 will gave different instructions regarding the main home's ownership and income sharing.
Handwritten wills must meet specific criteria to be valid.
More recent wills usually take precedence.
DIY wills are risky and can lead to legal disputes.

🚫 Limitations of a Will:
Beneficiary designations on retirement accounts can supersede a will.
Joint tenancy ownership can override will instructions.

🔒 Protecting Privacy:
Estate plans can be kept private by using a trust instead of a will.
Trusts allow you to avoid probate court and keep details confidential.



Source:

Longtime Aretha Franklin estate battle shows the importance of having a proper will Aretha Franklin's sons disputed which of two handwritten wills governs the Queen of Soul's estate.

Saving for college is often a primary parental goal in the financial planning process. As a small incentive, the State of Illinois is giving away $50 to parents that either have a child or adopt one in 2023. This money is added to a newly created 529 account. To learn more details, check out:

Illinois First Steps | Bright Directions First Steps is for babies born or adopted on or after January 1, 2023 to a parent who is a resident of Illinois at the time of birth or adoption.

I had a great time talking with families in the disability community at “The Future Begins Today” resource fair held at Harper College. Thanks go to Barrington 220 School District, &Township High School District 211, Northwest Suburban Special Education Organization, and High School District 214!

Tonight, I'll be at Harper College in Platine for "The Future Begins Today" fair that is sponsored by Township High School District 211 High School District 214, Barrington 220 School District, and Northwest Suburban Special Education Organization.

As a parent of a special needs child, I find these resource fairs very valuable in the information provided. Tonight, I'll be there with my working hat on as financial advisor working with families. Please feel free to stop by my table if you have any questions related to financial planning or life insurance planning for your families long-term goals.

US consumer prices rose moderately in March, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increasing by 0.1% compared to February's 0.4%. The CPI has risen 5.0% year-on-year, the smallest increase since May 2021. However, core CPI, which excludes the volatile food and energy components, increased by 0.4% and is up 5.6% year-on-year. Despite the relatively weak inflation figures, high rental costs ensured underlying inflation remained steady.

🍎🥩🍇 Food prices remained unchanged, the weakest reading since November 2020, with egg prices dropping by 10.9%. However, cereals, bakery products and non-alcoholic beverages increased in price.

🏠💵 Rents rose at their slowest pace in nearly a year, and owners' equivalent rent (OER) rose by 0.5%, the smallest gain since April 2022. While sticky rents continued to drive the core CPI, independent measures show that housing inflation is expected to continue subsiding this year, offering some relief.



Source:

US consumer prices rise moderately; underlying inflation too hot U.S. consumer prices barely rose in March as the cost of gasoline declined, but stubbornly high rents kept underlying inflation pressures simmering, likely ensuring that the Fed will raise interest rates again next month.

My team and I are hosting a dinner for our clients at Gibson’s as we listen to seven portfolio managers and strategists from , , , PIMCO, Invesco US, T. Rowe Price

I often use JP Morgan's Guide to the Market slides when conveying a particular financial concept. They've outdone themselves with this information. This is a great informational piece. I'm happy to discuss it with anyone who has questions.

Principles for successful long-term investing Principles for successful long-term investing

When markets shift, it may be smart to keep Warren Buffet's sage wisdom in mind, "Remember that the stock market is a manic depressive."

I've been getting a lot of interest lately about money market funds and CDs. Depending on your timeframe, holding cash and cash-like products may not be the best solution to conservatively grow your money.

Is Cash Worth the (Reinvestment) Risk Wednesday, February 15, 2023

Access Sports provides young athletes with disabilities in and around Elmhurst, IL. They organize basketball, soccer, baseball, and track teams at various times of the year. Access Sports partners with local organizations to provide practices and games. Athletes have the opportunity to learn new skills, build friendships, ​and realize that team sports can be fun, yet competitive.

This is a great opportunity for our community and for peer buddies to volunteer and help out in 1:1 assistance to the players. More can be found Access Sports, Inc.