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Negotiating for a major purchase, such as a new car or home, is often a source of anxiety. We want our hard earned (and saved) money well spent and to get the most value for every dollar. It is important to be knowledgeable about what we are buying (for example, knowing the gas mileage of a new car). […]

Income tax rates in Illinois increased effective July 1, 2017. Because this decision came in the middle of 2017, it created some confusion regarding how to calculate 2017 taxes and how it affects estimated tax payments. The income tax change affects individuals as well as corporations residing in the state of Illinois. For individuals, trusts, […]

Global stocks had modest gains for the month of June, up 0.6%. The stock leader for the month was U.S. small cap, which rose 3.5%. Bonds had mostly negative returns for the month as a result of the slight increase in yields. Alternative asset classes had mixed results. Economy U.S. real GDP expanded at an […]

Global stocks climbed 2.0% in May after the release of strong economic data worldwide. U.S. stock markets trailed ever so slightly with the S&P 500 Index returning 1.4%. Following a modest month in April, the S&P 500 is up 8.7% year‐to‐date as signs of a stronger economy and low unemployment persist. Economy The estimate for […]

Fiduciary: a legal term that has always been near and dear to us at Savant, a word that has long been toxic to brokerages and traditional investment firms, and a concept generally not understood by consumers at large. In layman’s terms, a fiduciary is someone who is legally and morally bound to stand in your […]

Global stocks climbed 1.6% higher during the month of April despite anxiety over the political climate in Europe and geopolitical concerns in emerging market countries, e.g. North Korea and Turkey. U.S. stock markets had a slightly softer month, with the S&P 500 Index returning 1.0%. Despite a modest April, the S&P 500 is up 7.2% […]

One of the top concerns for Americans in their 60s is how to pay for retirement. Consider focusing on a plan for these five areas of financial planning to help gain confidence as you approach or enter retirement. Interestingly, many individuals’ first anxiety is loss of principal – particularly with 2008 still in our collective […]

Young adulthood often marks the passage of several major life events including beginning a career, getting married, starting a family, and buying a first home. As young adults ourselves, my husband and I welcomed our first child, moved states for a new career, and bought our first home, all in the past year. While settling […]

Dr. Simon Ramo of TRW, Inc. (now a part of Northrop Grumman) identified the difference between a winner’s game and a loser’s game in his book, Extraordinary Tennis for the Ordinary Tennis Player (pub. 1977). Dr. Ramo summed it up this way: professionals win points; amateurs lose points. The extraordinary tennis players rarely make mistakes, called “unforced […]

As a wealth management firm, a great deal of our focus is on helping clients build wealth through the financial markets. But what do clients do with that wealth? Most clients are saving with specific goals in mind to meet during their lifetime such as saving for retirement or for children’s college educations. Financial plans […]

There is usually some permanent damage done when you lose someone you love. Most of the time, this comes in the form of grieving for that special person. From the benefit of time, the intense grieving usually fades away. Survivors are left with the burden of surviving, and, financially speaking, sometimes there is little available […]

The news tends to over-dramatize the subject matter on which it is reporting. All too often this results in strong opinions or flat-out false statements. When it comes to Social Security benefits, the most common opinion I hear is that Social Security is going broke. It’s the elephant in the room as nervous clients jokingly […]