Savings Vehicle for Missourians with Disabilities Set to Open

The ABLE act is a program that allows individual states to create their own ABLE account savings programs for individuals with disabilities. It’s quickly beginning to look like Missouri will be the 20th state to launch the MO ABLE program on April 24th. This new program will help Missouri residents with disabilities enjoy tax free… [Continue]

Fiduciary Rule Gets its Wings Clipped

Generally speaking, there are two kinds of financial advisers. There are brokers, and there are investment adviser representatives (IARs). Brokers are employed by broker-dealers and operate under the suitability standard. IARs are employed by registered investment adviser firms, regulated by their state or the SEC, and operate under the fiduciary standard. The fiduciary standard states that… [Continue]

Non-traded Real Estate Trusts Have Added Lipstick, but are Still Pigs

REITs, or Real Estate Investment Trusts, are fairly confusing. Public REITs come in two different platforms – exchange-traded and non-traded. Exchange-traded and non-traded REITs have a handful of similarities. For example, each is an investment in real estate. They’re also each required to distribute a minimum of 90% of taxable income to shareholders on an… [Continue]

Investors Shouldn’t Let Market Headlines Go to Their Heads

Keeping a level head during potentially volatile market times is key. It’s important to keep in mind that, no matter what is happening internationally in the moment, your investment in the market is long-term. On any given day, the market will rise and it will fall. Sometimes the highs and lows will be more drastic… [Continue]

Take Steps to Simplify Your Investment Strategy

Complicated investment strategies that have no defined structure or path are the surest way to set yourself up for investment failure. Taking the time to focus your investment strategy and simplifying your portfolio can be easy with these three simple steps. Consolidate accounts where you can. Having fewer accounts will reduce the confusion of multiple… [Continue]

Head Better Than Heart in Determining Investing Risk Tolerance

A factor that financial advisers have to consider with their clients is the emotional risk tolerance for investing. Knowing how much investment risk a client can stomach is important, especially if their portfolio comprises high risk accounts. However, there are other questions to be asking, as well. Rather than focusing on the emotional reaction to… [Continue]