Summer is here once again with its ubiquitous combinations like mosquitoes and barbeques, lightning and thunder, swimming pools and sunshine. One exciting pairing for 2019 that has been far less common, in fact it hasn’t happened since the early 1990s, is an American League-leading Minnesota Twins and equity market all-time highs. As a lifelong Minnesota sports fan, and having experienced what felt like greatness coming up short one too many times, it’s easy to be conditioned to feel that the ... [Continue Reading]
Articles and Publications
A library of topical publications and articles written by CCM team members specifically for our clients.
Have You Considered a Family Meeting?
What image does a “family meeting” conjure up for you? Do you think of your childhood when your parents would ominously announce, “It’s time for a family meeting!” or maybe it’s your spouse asking, “Does this incident warrant a family meeting?” In our home, one form of a family meeting occurred when my husband and I had casual discussions with our three kids over dinner when we would say something along the lines of, “We have something important to talk about.” I recently asked our young adult ... [Continue Reading]
Should I Contribute to a Roth 401(k) Instead of the Traditional 401(k)?
With many employer-based retirement plans (i.e. 401(k) or 403(b) plans) now offering a choice between making contributions into a Roth or a Traditional option, a conversation we frequently have with clients centers on the difference between contributing to one versus the other. As with most financial and tax planning questions, the answer depends a great deal on your personal situation, but there are several factors that are generally the most important to consider in deciding if a Roth is a ... [Continue Reading]
Financial Plan for One, Please
Looking around, whether in a restaurant, an airport or even on the beach, you may be observing more and more people out on their own—or perhaps with a group of friends. There are many ways one might be taking note that one of the largest growing demographics globally is single people. 1 This shift in demographics can also be seen here in Minnesota. In 2017, whether by choice or circumstance, 41% of women in the state over age 29 were widowed, divorced, or not married. 2 A single status may ... [Continue Reading]
What You Should Know About The Secure Act of 2019
What some are referring to as one of the most significant pieces of legislation related to retirement planning in more than a decade, the U.S. House of Representatives recently passed what has been coined the SECURE (Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement) Act, by an overwhelming and bi-partisan vote of 417-3. The bill will now move to the U.S. Senate where it also appears to have bi-partisan support. As the bill is very likely to become law in the coming weeks or months, ... [Continue Reading]