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Scary Markets Listen to the news lately and it’s easy to be fearful. The markets are experiencing panic selling. Oil is crashing. The coronavirus is spreading. It is normal to be afraid. It’s been a decade since we’ve seen price swings like we are currently experiencing. As a South Dakota Financial Planner this is the […]

COVID-19 Stock Market Decline We are a few days removed from one of the quickest market declines in market history. This is fresh off our post on how retirees should invest in a bull market!! Quick overview: the markets have been at all-time highs. Since 2009 many stock markets have doubled or tripled in price. Markets don’t

My emergency fund I keep $25,000 in an emergency fund. Ideally I’d like it to be $50,000. However I have competing priorities like funding my retirement accounts, saving for college, and travel. My emergency fund is for just that – emergencies. It’s my stash to help me sleep at night. Ideally I will never touch

Does your 401(k) balance have you thinking about retirement? Times have been good The stock market has moved upwards for the better part of a decade. The S&P 500 is up around 378% during this time. Thanks to rising markets and workplace savings, 401(k) millionaires are at an all-time high. The fear that was present in

2019 2019 was the busiest year ever for Birch Investments and we have big plans for 2020! Our 8th year in business saw a lot of growth. Alongside that growth we are continually reinvesting into the future of Birch Investments. Clients Birch now serves 50 client households spread across 4 states. Office Space We moved into a

Snowbird Estate Considerations As the snow arrives in South Dakota it’s easy to picture escaping south in the winter. With the growing popularity of AirBnB and VRBO we are seeing more families opt to rent their winter homes. However there are still those who have a desire to own their winter getaway and have a

TD Ameritrade Goes Commission Free You may have seen the news…TD Ameritrade is eliminating base commissions for online exchange-listed stock, ETF (domestic and Canadian), and options trades, moving from $6.95 to $0.00. Please see the company press release for additional details on this milestone announcement: THE BEST JUST GOT BETTER: TD AMERITRADE INTRODUCES $0 COMMISSIONS

Year-End Financial Planning The leaves are changing colors and I’ve consumed 10 gallons of pumpkin spice lattes. It’s officially fall and a great time to review what needs to be done before the end of the year. Income Planning I like to begin my reviews with what money is coming in the door. Has your