Blogs

In the world of investing, the stock market has always been ruled by two very intimidating and unpredictable animals prone to emotional outbursts and a distrust of people, especially those wearing a red cape or carrying a pot of honey. This is the awesome power of bulls and bears. But when it comes to investing, there’s no reason to fear them. They simply represent the two major twists and turns of the stock market over time. Understanding what they are and keeping history in perspective are keys to being a confident and successful investor. This is Bull A bull market is a period when the...

Your 401(k) Offers You Valuable Benefits You Just Can’t Find Anywhere In the midst of economic adversity, market volatility, geopolitical uncertainty and a host of other things (including a still-active pandemic, now in its third year), it can be hard to find a silver lining. However, there is one thing that keeps showing you some love every day – your 401(k)! Here are some tips to remind you why you got together in the first place – and help keep the romance alive. Your Savings are Automatic With your 401(k), you’re following the core financial planning principle of “pay yourself first.”...

Heartland Retirement Plan Services are offered through Dubuque Bank and Trust Company. The information provided herein is general in nature and is not intended to be nor should be construed as specific investment, legal or tax advice. The factual information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but is not guaranteed as to accuracy or completeness. Heartland Retirement Plan Services makes no warranties with regard to the information or results obtained by its use and disclaims any liability arising out of your use of, or reliance on, it. Products offered through Heartland...

It even makes understanding inflation easier. “Bacon’s the best. Even the frying of bacon sounds like applause. Bacon bits are like the fairy dust of the food community.” – Jim Gaffigan Let’s face it: talking about bacon is always fun. It can even help illustrate a topic that has been in the financial media a lot lately — inflation. In 1991, the price of a pound of bacon cost $2.22 (according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics). Thirty years later, in August of 2021, a pound cost $7.10. That’s inflation at work. Inflation is simply the rise in the cost of living, and it eats away at your money...

Tax season is upon us. While everyone’s financial situation is different, there are some basic guidelines to get you started. File Electronically This is the quickest way to get your tax refund. There are many online platforms that make filing your taxes safe and easy. You’ll need your account number and your bank routing number for a direct deposit. Personal Information The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will need to know who is filing and who is covered under your tax return. Be sure to have your social security number and date of birth ready for you and other members in your household...