Financial Planning Resources

Target date funds promise simplicity but can hurt your retirement. Learn risks, debunk myths, and discover smart strategies for long-term financial growth.

The question of financial advisor compensation is central to establishing the relationship between advisor and client – and if it’s not, it needs to be.

You would think that the period from the end of 2007 and effectively all the way through to 2009, would be a terrible way for a new financial advisor to start their career. It was an incredibly turbulent time in the financial markets and in many of our lives.

I like the analogy that is occasionally used in our industry, which finds parallels in the relationship between doctor and patient, and advisor and client.

At Beck Bode, we see fitness and finance as going hand in hand. You want to be financially prepared for a long life, but that requires you to be physically, emotionally, and mentally prepared for a long life, too. Which means tending to health and wellbeing in all aspects of our lives.

Let me begin by saying that I consider myself an optimistic person. This doesn’t mean my life has been easy; I have had my share of challenges. But overall, I believe I have a positive outlook on life.

Too often, in the financial world, there's a misguided obsession with beating benchmarks like the S&P 500 within arbitrary time frames, such as the calendar year.

In a recent advisor team meeting at Beck Bode, I drew a parallel between financial planning and my experience with pre-flight checklists for helicopters.

If you’re thinking of selling your financial advisory practice, you’ll want to know what it’s worth. Explore 8 aspects of that we like to investigate to determine practice valuation.

Every financial advisor - in fact, anyone who provides advice to others - needs to do a certain amount of preparation before a client meeting.

What do you do when you’re not getting enough referrals from your Centers of Influence (COI)? Discover these 8 tips for financial advisors.

GPS stands for Goals Planning Statement, and it’s our objective to make it the foundation for the relationship we build with all our clients.

Humans are emotional creatures. When it comes to investing, because of our emotionality, we run a big risk of being our own worst enemies.

Many financial advisors aren’t clear about how important it is to prepare their clients for a successful transition. Here's what you need to know.

Explore key strategies to maximize the value of your financial advisory practice for a successful sale.

While buying other financial practices, we've learned a few lessons along the way. Whether you're a buyer or seller, here are a few valuable tips.

We don’t plan for our eventual succession even though we tell our clients to do so. So, what is it that keeps us from doing what we know is important?

Are you building a legacy in your workplace, household, or community? Let's discuss what that looks like and how you can make an impact where it matters.

Creating a legacy takes dedication, willingness, and discipline. How are you ensuring that the legacy you leave will have a real impact?

What kind of impact will artificial intelligence have on investing (and the world at large)? Let's examine how technological innovation drives growth.

When markets are as turbulent as they are in 2023, it’s normal for investors to want to protect their investments. Let’s face it: who wants to lose money?

Making smart investment decisions often relies on the advice of good financial advisors. Here is what a financial planner wishes my parents had known.

Stop planning like you will die at retirement — because chances are you won’t. Here are two reasons why traditional retirement strategies may not help.

Debating the merits of private school vs public school Does private school tuition fit into your financial equation Here are a few points to consider.

Lately, I’ve been asking myself, “What is the true definition of wealth?”

Inflation isn't only a concern for those living paycheck to paycheck. Retirement income planning requires ignoring those who say inflation doesn't matter.

Learning how to be a contrarian investor without being reactive to market conditions will allow you to disrupt the status quo and grow financially.

If you're wondering how to choose a financial advisor, these are the questions a reputable financial advisor should be asking you.

Establishing what living well means to you often involves looking beyond your finances to strengthen your personal wellness.

It’s important to keep perspective when markets are volatile. Here are three strategies to consider when market volatility strikes.

Discover why patience is key for successful investors to combat inflation.

Are your investment decisions guided by what happened yesterday or by what is going to happen tomorrow? Learn why historical market performance shouldn't guide your next investment decision.

Volatility in the markets has always been followed by significant upswings. Learn more from a brief history of the stock market.

It’s not easy to avoid herd mentality when investment planning, but contrarian investors take a certain amount of risk for a certain amount of reward.

Find out why we care so much about inflation at Beck Bode, and what inflation means for investors in 2023.

To achieve your financial dreams, you must actively do something with your finances to get there. Discover how to overcome the fear of investing and make your investment plan work for you.

Discover the three questions your financial advisor should answer about your investment strategy to stay focused on your financial goals.

The most important aspect of investing is to get your money back (and more). Discover why you should shift your focus to investment in dividends.

There’s nothing worse than bad financial advice that comes with smoke and mirrors. Discover the warning signs that you may be getting bad financial advice.

Is it okay for a client to have multiple financial advisors? Discover the value of having one advisor who is fully committed to your financial plan.

In the investment world, there's no shortage of financial advice in the media. Tune out the noise and discover the truth about successful investing.

We don’t know what the markets will do, but sticking with a tried-and-true process can help get us through bear markets. Find out more.

Beck Bode is a deliberately different wealth management firm. Discover how our unique investment strategies differ from the rest of the financial industry.

Don't simply take the word of a financial advisor at face value. Discover the most important question to ask your financial advisor.

How you make money in the stock market does not vary from person to person. Discover why investment portfolio customization is a flawed investment model.

Explore common investing mistakes that are driven by emotions and fear, and how to avoid the downfall of behavioral finance.

There is an excess of attention placed on longevity risk in the financial industry. Learn how to focus on the opportunities rather than the risk.

Explore the importance of prioritizing your financial fitness early on so that you can maintain your independence in retirement.

The financial industry says stocks aren’t appropriate for everyone. Find out why we believe in investing in stocks for people of all ages at the right intensity.

There's a growing phenomenon of "fad investing" in the stock market. While it can be tempting to follow the new investment fads, they won't support your long-term financial goals

How will inflation and the rising cost of living impact your financial decision-making? Minimize the pressure of making financial decisions in a bear market with these strategies.

Inflation and interest rates can be a cause for worry as you approach retirement. Explore strategies for surviving a bear market that coincides with retirement.

If you pay attention to the financial media or any news that’s market-related, you may notice that the predominant benchmark for performance is the S&P 500...

Can we agree on the fact that if you want anything to grow, you need to invest in a productive...

“We must manage our behavior to meet our objectives. Excellence is not an act, but a habit. We are...

At Beck Bode, so much of our work relies on dispelling widely held though unproductive (I would go...

“The market is rigged, the market is rigged,” so people say. It’s been a hot topic over the past...

Every day, prospective clients come to us with a stack of investment statements including a...

If I knew today was my last day, what would my legacy be? This isn’t a comfortable question, but...

You would think that the period from the end of 2007 and effectively all the way through to 2009,...

How do you prepare for a bear market? You don’t. Preparing for a bear market would mean you know...

One of the keys to effective college savings is to set aside money early in your children’s lives, ...

These days I’m hearing a lot of questions – from clients, friends and family, and in the media, ...

When people meet us for the first time, one of the things that they are most surprised to learn is ...

People who know Beck Bode know that fitness and nutrition are important to us. Health and wellness ...

How do you approach addressing a scenario to which there is no definitive answer? Our business is ...

Many investors are uncomfortable with the idea of losing money, which often causes them to delay

If you’ve got any money in the markets, you’ve probably had your eyes glued to the Dow Jones, ...

When I think of the word “relentless,” I think of John McClane, the character that Bruce Willis ...

As we plod through our third bear market in four years, there’s a certain weariness that’s set in. ...

While throwing money into a savings account is crucial to building your emergency funds, this alone ...

Let’s talk about prospecting, which is something I think of often. Imagine you meet with a ...

Northern Michigan Financial Planning Firm Seeks And Finds A Values-Aligned Match

From buying the safest car seats to planning for college, you want to provide the best of ...

With an influx of cash - whether from retirement or the sale of an asset like a business you may ...

Many people have an unhealthy relationship with debt, especially credit card debt. Debt can keep ...

​​The question of advisor compensation is central to establishing the relationship between advisor ...

You may have noticed, many of my musings start with ownership of a major sports team. That’s ...

You know how some people are always looking for the next diet fad? Keto versus Macro versus South ...

I thought I’d start out with a couple of definitions. I know these are common words, but it’s ...

As advisors, our role is to put our clients in front of positive investing opportunities. Our work ...

I want to share with you a story, a recent story, a story of when I failed. Back in March of 2020, ...

My partner Jim and I often talk about how financial advisors are compensated in our industry. ...

Recently I got a call from a client. “Ben, I really need to talk to you,” he said. He sounded ...

On the MLB network I watched a sports documentary about Cal Ripken Jr. For those of you who aren’t ...

Every Monday at Beck Bode, we have a team call where I share some thinking that will hopefully get ...

When I think about people and their motivation in the realm of work, I think of three categories. ...

Whatever You Do, Don’t Question My Relationships

There’s a saying in aviation, "There are old pilots, and there are bold pilots. But there are no ...

When I was younger I had this football coach whom I greatly admired. You know that expression you ...

New Hampshire-based Compass Rose Private Investment Management joins the Beck Bode Family of ...

On Thursday, February 11th at 3pm EST Misty Lynch sat down with Meredith L. Anderson, CPA, MST, ...

WATCH NOW Misty Lynch, Director of Financial Planning / Financial Advisor, and Angel Williams, ...

On any given year, the holidays are stressful. But for 2020? That’s cranking it to 11. Beyond the ...

Watch NOW our Live Cast from Thursday, November 12th with Managing Partners Ben Beck and Jim Bode. ...

A lot has happened this year, so it’s easy to miss that healthcare open enrollment season is upon ...

If this feels like the most dreaded Back to School season for you as a parent, you’re not alone. ...

It may feel like COVID-19 has put everything on hold and made some underlying problems worse. If ...

In the financial advisory and investment world, Wirehouses are the franchises of the industry. ...

In any industry, business ethics need to be a critical part of both the ethos and the contractual ...

Financial planning and wealth management is more than investments and managing funds, it’s also ...

Saying these last two months have been trying would be an understatement. Beyond the struggles we ...

Things right now seem crazy: this pandemic has had ripples across all parts of our lives. Panic ...

We’re back with Ben and Matt with another No Bonds Podcast! Today, we’re discussing market ...

We’re finally back with the next episode of the No Bonds Podcast with Ben and Matt. Today, we’re ...

Dear Clients, It’s rare that we see a year – both in the markets and in the broader economy – ...

Ben and Matt return in the first No Bonds Podcast episode of 2020! They discuss the New Year, the ...

On Thursday, January 14th at 3pm EST Matt Morizio sat down with entrepreneur, founder, and ...

This week, Matt and Ben tackle the concept of risk and how you should incorporate risk into your ...

The crew gets together today to talk about how they started with their careers in financial ...

The crew gets together today to talk about current events, how lower interest rates affect the ...

We’re back with another episode of the No Bonds Podcast. Today, we’re joined by Andy Robertson to ...

Should you pay off your debt right away? That’s what we’re talking about in today’s episode of the ...

We’re back with another episode of the No Bonds Podcast. Today, we’re talking about how you can ...

"It’s the fourth episode of our No Bonds Podcast, so we held a Q&A session with our very own Ben ... "

Welcome back to Episode 2 of the No Bonds podcast! In our second episode, we’re talking about how ...

So you’ve sold your house or business. Maybe you’ve inherited a bit of money. That’s what we’re ...

We meet the team behind the No Bonds Podcast and dive into what’s behind the name and what they are ...

With the New Year on its way, Matt pitches our last quick tip for the year: focus on the future! In ...

For this coming holiday season, change up how you shop. Matt recommends you think about worth, not ...

With the New Year on its way, Matt pitches our last quick tip for the year: worry about what's in ...

Ben is back with a new Quick Tip regarding target fund rates and how they may not be as they ...

We're back with one of our financial advisors, Jethro, this week with three financial tools to help ...

Matt's back with another No Bonds Quick Tip! This week, we're going over index funds and ETFs and ...

We're back with another Quick Tip! This week, check if your 401K has a Roth option. You may not ...

Matt's back with another No Bonds Quick Tip! This week, we're discussing why you should steer away ...

Behind on all that summer reading you wished you'd done? Need some more suggestions? We've got you ...

Today, we dive back into the debate between the Roth IRA vs. the traditional IRA.

In today's quick tip, Matt covers market timing and how it actually doesn't work how you think.

You hear it all the time...so what is good debt and what is bad debt? Matt Morizio answers this ...

Today's quick tip is not so much a tip, as much as it is a question we get asked a lot. How can ...

Risk vs Volatility? What does it mean for you?

What is term life insurance and do you really need it? That's what we dive into on today's quick ...

How have kids changed YOUR financial equation? In today's quick tip, we talk about some things to ...

Last week, we discussed what it means when your employer matches a 401K, but what if they don't ...

What are the 3 most important questions you need to ask before investing your money anywhere? ...

This week, we're talking 401Ks. How do they work and what does it mean if your employer matches ...

Should you invest in a 529 plan? A 529 plan can be useful for parents who plan to eventually send ...

In today's quick tips, we're discussing different ways to optimize your budget. Stay tuned next ...

In today's quick tips, we're discussing when is the right time for a financial plan. Stay tuned ...

What if I told you to stop thinking about a retirement date when considering your personal ...

Today in our finance quick tips, we talk about friends and finance. Should you mix the two or keep ...

"In today's quick tips, we're talking about setting goals for your finances. What kind of things ... "

In today's quick tips, we review the difference between a Roth IRA and a traditional IRA. Stay ...

Today in our finance quick tips, we talk about the meaning behind fiduciary duty. Stay tuned, ...

Today in our finance quick tips, we talk about how to make the right decisions when evaluating ...

In today's quick tips, we review the difference between stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. Stay ...

Today in our finance quick tips, we talk about capital gains. Stay tuned, because the first episode ...

In today's quick tips, we share how safe your money is in the bank. Stay tuned, because the first ...

The Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount, referred to as IRMAA, can come as a surprise ...

New visitors to our home frequently comment on our kitchen, specifically on how great it looks. We ...

The other day, a friend told me about a relative who had suffered from a heart attack and had to be ...

Dan Kline brings over two decades of operations experience in high growth environments.

Is your financial advisor operating exactly like a robo-advisor? What exactly is a “robo-advisor?” ...

Whenever I’m listening to a presentation by someone who speaks with a classic British accent, it ...

DEDHAM, MA – February 3, 2015– Beck Bode Wealth Management (Beck Bode) is pleased to announce that ...

Good investment advice doesn’t always come from financial advisors. It can come from anywhere, even ...

DEDHAM, MA – November 14, 2014 – Beck Bode Wealth Management (Beck Bode) is pleased to announce ...

DEDHAM, MA – October 28, 2014 – A year and a half after launching Beck Bode Wealth Management (Beck ...

“Diversification” is a frequently used buzzword in investment management. The idea is that an ..

In this guide, we go in-depth about the importance of succession planning for financial advisors ...

In this guide, we go in-depth about retirement financial planning and answer some of the most ...