The Glass Half Full: Happy 4th Birthday to the Bull (Ep. 31)

In this birthday edition of Glass Half Full, Ryan Detrick, Chief Market Strategist at Carson Group, and Sonu Varghese, Chief Macro Strategist at Carson Group, celebrate the fourth anniversary of the bull market that began after the 2022 bear market and ask: Can it make it to year five? The …

Market Commentary: The bull turns four, and a look at the midterm election

The S&P 500 hit a new closing high Tuesday last week, its first new high since August 13. A new high confirms we’re still in a bull market and this one is timely, since today (Monday, October 12) is the bull market’s fourth birthday. The S&P 500 had a total return of 131% (including …

7 Financial Planning Tips for Small Business Owners

Running a small business involves juggling multiple responsibilities, and managing the business’s finances is one of the most crucial aspects. Proper financial management can be the difference between a thriving business and one that struggles to stay afloat. Here are seven essential financ …

Your Money

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10 Effective Year-End Tax Planning Strategies to Consider

October is here. As the year draws to a close, it’s crucial to review your tax situation and take advantage of any tax and estate planning strategies that may apply to your situation. Looking for options that could help you minimize your tax burden and maximize your wealth over the long ter …

8 Tax Planning Considerations Every Pre-Retiree Should Know

For many people, retirement brings many advantages—more free time, fewer responsibilities, and more time for family and hobbies. Unfortunately, taxes can remain a constant burden even after you’ve left the workforce. Working with your financial advisor to develop a strong retirement plan ca …

Choosing an Insurance Policy

Life insurance plans are designed to offer your family an infusion of income in the event of your death, so your loved ones have help with finances while they are grieving. But how do you know what type of policy to choose and if it will adequately cover your needs?  This resource will help …

2026 Calendar: Key Tasks & Financial Dates

2026 Calendar: Key Tasks & Financial Dates

Tackle 2026 with this month-by-month financial task list. We’ve also included important dates so you won’t miss any key deadlines.

Your Business

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7 Financial Planning Tips for Small Business Owners

Running a small business involves juggling multiple responsibilities, and managing the business’s finances is one of the most crucial aspects. Proper financial management can be the difference between a thriving business and one that struggles to stay afloat. Here are seven essential financ …

3 Things All Valuable Businesses Have

Building a business that’s truly valuable takes more than hard work and good timing. It’s about creating something that can thrive, adapt, and grow—with or without you at the helm.  Whether you’re planning for a future sale or succession or simply want to build long-term value, it’s importa …

Is Your Business Worth as Much as You Think?

As a business owner, you already know your company has value. It supports your lifestyle, pays your employees, and provides products or services your clients rely on. But here’s the big question: If someone asked you today what your business is worth, could you give them a confident answer? …

Business Succession Planning Checklist

Business Succession Planning Checklist

You remember your first day of business. But what about your last day? Succession planning is more complex than it may seem. Our guide walks you through the details.

Your Retirement

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When Should I Sign Up for Medicare?

The topic of Medicare can raise a lot of questions for many people. One of the most common questions I receive revolves around when you should sign up for Medicare, and that’s understandable. After all, you can’t simply sign up anytime you want, and the timing of your enrollment window can …

5 Tips for Getting the Right Medicare Coverage This Open Enrollment Season

Navigating Medicare can be a daunting task, especially with the numerous plans and options available. However, choosing the right Medicare plan is important to help ensure that you have the coverage you need in retirement. Whether you’re enrolling for the first time or considering a change, …

When Should I Start Claiming Social Security?

Determining what age to begin claiming your Social Security benefit is a big decision. Do you claim early at age 62? Take it at your full retirement age? Delay until you’re 70 years old? Or any age in between?  There are a wide variety of factors that can go into your final decision, and we …

Medicare and Managing Health Care Costs in Retirement

Medicare and Managing Health Care Costs in Retirement

Health care costs in retirement aren't going anywhere. Naturally, as our bodies get older, it costs more to keep them running. Let's look at the parts of this vital program and how it plays a part in your financial plan.

Your Legacy

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Safeguarding What Matters Most: Estate Planning for Families 

Life changes. Tax laws change. Your estate plan should evolve with them. It can be easy to assume that estate planning is simply about creating a will, but an effective estate plan can also help protect your loved ones, preserve more of your wealth, prepare for unexpected circumstances, and …

To Give Now or Give Later: When Is the Right Time to Gift to Your Heirs?

You’re in a good position in your life. You’ve built up your wealth, perhaps from a successful business or working in corporate America. You might feel it’s time to start winding down and considering whether to transfer some of those assets to the next generation. The question then becomes  …

Estate Planning Simplified: Understanding Wills & Trusts

While it can be easy for people to back-burner estate planning due to busy schedules or thinking they have plenty of time to get around to it, doing so can result in property and financial assets passing to unintended heirs in unintentional ways. Without the proper planning, your heirs coul …

A Guide to Gifting to Your Heirs

A Guide to Gifting to Your Heirs

Gifting to your loved ones now or posthumously each carries their own positives and negatives as they relate to your estate plan, taxes, your goals and your legacy.

Your Freedom

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Webinar: Tax-Smart Strategies — How Women Can Design Their Wealth Plan with Purpose and Intention

Over the next two decades, more than $51 trillion is expected to transfer to women as surviving spouses, making this one of the most significant wealth shifts in history. Yet many women tell us their biggest financial concern isn’t investing—it’s paying too much in taxes.  This webinar is d …

How to Protect Yourself from Phishing and Online Scams

How often do you see a funky email that makes you stop in your tracks and question if it is legitimate? For me, it’s almost every single day. Going through my emails there are loads of “you won a free iPhone 15 Pro!” or “click this link to pay your toll bill” or plenty of …

Identity Theft Webinar

Wealth Advisor Alana Macy shares essential tips to protect yourself from scams and identity theft. Learn key facts, warning signs, common scams, and practical steps to prevent and address identity theft.

When Shifting Goals Mean Shifting Plans

When Shifting Goals Mean Shifting Plans

Your financial plan shouldn't look the same at 55 as it did when you were 35, right? So how do you know when it's time to adjust your plan?

Market & Investments

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The Glass Half Full: Happy 4th Birthday to the Bull (Ep. 31)

In this birthday edition of Glass Half Full, Ryan Detrick, Chief Market Strategist at Carson Group, and Sonu Varghese, Chief Macro Strategist at Carson Group, celebrate the fourth anniversary of the bull market that began after the 2022 bear market and ask: Can it make it to year five? The …

Market Commentary: The bull turns four, and a look at the midterm election

The S&P 500 hit a new closing high Tuesday last week, its first new high since August 13. A new high confirms we’re still in a bull market and this one is timely, since today (Monday, October 12) is the bull market’s fourth birthday. The S&P 500 had a total return of 131% (including …

Market commentary: Stubborn inflation problem meets a Goldilocks jobs report

Stocks bounced to close the week, with the Nasdaq jumping 1.2% on Friday and finishing the week up 0.5%. It wasn’t a clean sweep. The S&P 500 slipped 0.2% on the week, and the Dow fell 1.3%. But with the 10-year Treasury yield climbing to its highest level since 2002, stocks even …

Midyear Outlook 2026: Still Riding the Wave

Midyear Outlook 2026: Still Riding the Wave

Our Midyear Outlook 2026: Explore the trends shaping today’s market environment and the opportunities and risks that may lie ahead in the second half of the year.

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Alana Macy on Colorado Public Radio

Alana Macy, CFP®, MBA of Bloom Wealth Advisors joined Colorado Matters to discuss market volatility and what investors can do now. She shared three key tips: don’t panic, keep investing if you’re in accumulation mode, and have a plan for short-term needs. She also touched on inflation …

Question of the Quarter: It’s an election year, what does this mean for the markets?

Every election year we get many questions and concerns around the markets. Election years bring heightened uncertainty and speculation, and typically the market doesn’t like uncertainty. As an investor, it is important you understand how elections can impact the stock market to make informe …

3 Roth Conversion Traps To Avoid After The SECURE Act

Roth conversions can be a powerful tax and retirement planning technique. The idea behind most Roth conversions is to take money from an IRA and convert it to a Roth IRA. Essentially, you’re paying taxes today instead of paying taxes in the future.