Happy 4th of July, Lessons From Our Forefathers

Perseverance and spirit have done wonders in all ages. – General George Washington

Have you read David McCullough’s book 1776?  If you haven’t, you might not find a better addition to your summer reading list – particularly over this long holiday weekend.  First published in 2005, it’s an entertaining must read not only for its historical recounting of our nation’s first year, but for its lessons in courage and perseverance.

For today’s investors, the book is a reminder of the old saying, “that which is well achieved is usually well earned!” Read the rest of this entry »

The Difference Between Mutual Funds and ETFs

This is a question we get a lot here at Callahan Financial Planning, and with all the recent news and new options, I thought it would be a good topic to revisit.

As a refresher, let’s start with a quick note on what Mutual Funds are:

  • An Investment Company that invests shareholders money in a (usually) diversified portfolio of securities like individual stocks or bonds.
  • Assets are held in custody at a third-party bank, and are subject to regular inspection by the SEC in addition to any independent auditors to the bank and mutual fund. Read the rest of this entry »

The Benefits Of Budgeting

When it comes to personal finance there is one word that makes almost everyone cringe… Budgeting. Most people feel that maintaining a budget means that it will be the end of all of the “fun”. In reality, establishing and following a sound budget does just the opposite. It not only allows you to control your spending, but also is the foundation to achieve the financial goals you truly desire.

Here at Callahan Financial Planning we simply define a budget as providing for your needs within scarcity, which is the limited amount of money available to you. This means living within the amount of money you earn while taking care of your needs. The goal of having a budget isn’t to restrict your spending, but to cover all your necessities and focus any remaining money on what is most important to you. Budgeting forces you to take an in depth look at where your money is currently going and decide if that’s where it should go in order to accomplish your true goals. Read the rest of this entry »

Do I Need Financial Planning?

Have you been thinking about creating a financial plan for yourself, but just don’t know if you actually need to take the time to do it? If you’re teetering on the idea, ask yourself the following questions:

  • Are you unclear about how your current investments are performing?
  • Do you and your spouse differ over how to handle your money?
  • Are you confused about the vast array of investment options?
  • Do you feel you pay too much in taxes?
  • Are you uncertain if you have the right kinds and amounts of insurance?
  • Have you delayed creating an estate plan?
  • Are you worried about not having enough money to retire?

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of the following questions, there’s a good chance you should consider financial planning. Read the rest of this entry »

Saving Money By Not Paying Commissions

Last week I wrote about the importance of receiving advice from a professional without conflicts of interest– putting the client’s best interest first. Today I’d like to focus on the scenarios in this capacity that can save you money.

No Sales Commissions

Without a Sales Commission… 

When working with a financial planner that doesn’t earn a sales commission, their only form of compensation is the fee you pay for their service. There are several ways to pay, but the two most common are paying an hourly rate for service rendered or at an annual rate based on your net worth or investment balances. This is how clients pay for advice at Callahan Financial Planning. Read the rest of this entry »

More About Callahan Financial Planning

Who are we?Callahan Financial Planning logo

Callahan Financial Planning is a new, independent financial planning company based in Omaha, NE with a better way to pay for and receive finance advice. Aware of the conflict traditional sales staff and commissions produced, we set out to build a financial planning model to create, implement and manage financial plans to your goals… free from financial product sales. Read the rest of this entry »

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